Practical information Argentina

Argentina : Travel Information before you go!

Area

1,068,301 sq mi

Flights

16 hours. Buenos Aires is 6,917 mi from London.

Population

38,700,000

Airports

Ezeiza International Airport is located 22 miles from the centre of Buenos Aires. Two bus lines can get to the city centre within an hour for USD 14 (£9) and they stop in the Plaza de la República on Avenida 9 de Julio. The same trip in a taxi costs between USD 30 and USD 35 (between £20 and £25) and airport tax on the departure of international flights is USD 30 (£20).

Security

Argentina does not have the reputation of its neighbouring countries regarding crime and attacks. However, the economic crisis has increased petty crime, like pickpocketing, so keep an eye on your bag.

Languages

Spanish is the official language, however, it is called Castilian Spanish and it is more singsong than the Spanish spoken on the Iberian Peninsula. In the Andean part, groups of Indians still speak Quechua.

Required travel documents for

The authorisation for a three month stay is issued upon arrival.

Religion

90% of the population is Catholic. Under the constitution, the President should be too. There are also Jewish and Protestant minorities (1 to 3% of the population).

Currency

The Argentine peso (ARS) is indexed to the dollar. This being the case, you can withdraw money in pesos as well as dollars from the many ATM machines to be found here. Bring new dollars with you because the older ones are not accepted. Credit cards (Visa and MasterCard) are accepted in most hotels and restaurants. Travellers cheques and cash are exchanged, but this varies a lot from one city to another. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 10:00am to 3:00pm and the 'casas de cambios' (exchange houses) tend to open in the afternoon, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm.

Local transportation

The cheapest way of getting around this huge country is by bus. They are very comfortable and the 'lounge-beds' (or very comfortable inclining seats) help you get a very good night's sleep.
If you have the time, the car is ideal for travelling around this country (all large car-hire companies operate here), but an international driving license is compulsory. Although the distances are considerable here, the roads are in very good condition.
The option of flying is of course very expensive, but there are flights which go to even the smallest towns.

Health

No vaccine is required. There are no risks of yellow fever or malaria, however, you are advised to get vaccinated against hepatitises A and B as well as typhoid. When you are away from the city, drink bottled water.
There are no serious risks of infection to mention.

Electricity

220 V. Plan to bring an adaptor.

Tourist numbers

In total, almost 4 million international tourists were visited Argentina in 2004.

Taxes and tips

Service is not included, 10% ought to be added to the bill.

Telephone

To call Argentina from England, dial: 00 (international) + 54 (code for Argentina) + city code (11 for Buenos Aires, 51 for Cordoba, 41 for Rosario, 61 for Mendoza) + telephone number.
To call from Argentina to England, dial: 011 (international) +
44 (code for England) + telephone number without the initial 0.

Argentina : Useful addresses in the country

Before leaving

Argentine Embassy:
65 Brook Street, London W1K 4AH.
Tel.: 0044 (0) 207-318 1300.
Fax: 0044 (0) 207 318 1301.

Consulate General:
27 Three Kings Yard, London W1K 4DF.
Tel.: 0044 (0) 207 318 1349.
Fax: 0044 (0) 207 318 1349.

At the destination

British Embassy:
Dr. Luis Agote 2412, (C1425EOF) Buenos Aires.
Tel.: (54 11) 4808 2200.
Fax.: (5411) 4808 2274.

General Consulate:
Same address

National Secretariat of Tourism
Av. Santa Fe 883, (C1059ABC) Buenos Aires.
Tel.: 4312 2232 or 0800 555 0016.