LanguageThe official language of Argentina is Spanish, though with internationalization and the strong links the country has with both Europe and the US, you can readily find people speaking excellent English, French and other European languages.
CurrencyThe currency used in Argentina is the Peso. The symbol used to denote the Peso is '$' which can be confusing, though unless explicitly stated as US$, the $-symbol refers to the Peso. A Peso is about one third of a US$.
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Travel within Argentina| Air | This is the mode of of choice for travelling large distances in Argentina. There are several airlines that perform domestic flights to the main cities of Argentina, with the possibility of combining later on with overland transports to go to other smaller urban centres either by bus, taxis or remise (mini cabs). After 2002 2 categories of flight tickets were introduced. Discounted flights for Argentinians and standard (full price) for foreigners. Flights to Patagonia are particularly heavily booked and it is advisable to book way in advance for domestic travelling in December, January and Easter week. | | Car | There is a good network of roads in Argentina. Be aware that distances are very big! Main roads are in good condition but road surfaces in rural areas are often earth or gravel.
To drive in Argentina, you will need an international driving licence.
In Argentina you drive on the right hand side of the road.
| | Bus | Several bus companies provide links between the main destinations in the country. Deluxe services are available (eg: climatized, TV, toilet and hostess service) and this represents good alternative for those who don't want to fly. | | Train | The Railway Network was built by the British and it was one of the finest in South America, however lack of investments and poor management resulted in its decline. The only recommended services run within the area of Gran Buenos Aires. The Tren de la Costa (from Buenos Aires capital to El Tigre) is worth a trip
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Moving about in Buenos Aires
Subway
Undeground
Metro | The underground system in Buenos Aires (founded in 1913, was the first subway of Latin America), is one of the quickest ways of travelling within the city. This system currently comprises around 46 km, includes 80 stations, five lines (labelled A to E) and moves more than 250 millon passengers per year. The ticket fare is $ 0,70 and metro services operate from 5:00 AM to 10:50 PM Monday throught Saturday and 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Sundays. Tickets or subtepass are purchased in the subway stations. | | Taxis | Within the city of Buenos Aires there are 32.000 taxis. There are painted yellow and black. The exact fare is displayed on an electronical meter that stars al $ 1,12 an adds $ 0,14 for every two hundred meters (two blocks aproximately). | | Radiotaxis | There are many radiotaxis companies. They are ordered by telephone and pick up passengers anywhere. They do not charge extra and they are safer depending on the hour and the place. | | Remise | The remise is a service similar to the radiotaxi, only the cars have no markings and they calculate the fare based on the distance. | | Buses | On buses the fare is related to the number of stops travelled and it must be payed by introducing coins in automatic machines (which give change but do not take banknotes). The vehicles are painted in different colours according to the line they serve, of which there are over a hundred.
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Visa requirementsNationals of the European Union (see exceptions below), the USA, Latin American countries do not need a tourist visa to enter Argentina.
They may stay for up to 90 days with a valid passport and a return ticket.
If needed, the duration of the stay can be renewed in Argentina for another 90 days.
However your passport should be valid for at least 6 months following your expected date of departure.
Note: that amongst EU countries, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania currently have a visa requirement. For more information: Argentinian Ministry for External Relations (in Spanish - choose option 'Temas Consulares', followed by 'Consultas sobre visas de ingreso')
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Public Holidays
| Fixed National Holidays | | New Year | January 1st | | Easter Friday | March/April | | Worker's Day | May 1st | | First Patriotic Government Anniversary | May 25th | | National Independence day | July 9th | | Race day | October 12th | | Immaculate Conception | December 8th | | Christmas | December 25th | | Moveable National Holidays | | Veterans and Malvinas war dead day | April 2nd | | Flag day | June 20th | | Gnrl San Martin anniversary | August 17th | | Optional Fixed | | Easter Thursday | March/April |
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MiscelaneousTippingIt is customary to leave the equivalent to 10 % of the value paid in cafeterias and restaurants. It is also usual to tip taxi drivers, doormen, ushers and porters.Time zoneArgentina has a single time zone: GMT-0300.
Argentina implements summer time, so the time difference between countries of the northern hemispheres varies along the year by up to two hours.ElectricityThe Argentinean electricity supply is 220V ~ 50Hz (compatible with European electricity supply).
Plugs are either of the "Oblique flat blades with ground (inverted V)" (as in Australia, NZ, China) or the "2 thin round pins" (similar to Continental Europe). Bring an universal adapter for British plugs compatibility.
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CommunicationsPublic phones and InternetPublic telephones work with cards or coins. Cards can be bought in kiosks or telephone company offices. There are many locutorios - phone centres with private booths where you can talk as long as you like and pay afterwards. There are plenty of Internet cafes with broadband connections or internet accesses in hotels and public places.Land based phone systemThe prefix to call Argentina from abroad is 54. To dial internationally from Argentina, use the 00 prefix followed by the international code, followed by the national number (omitting the leading zero).
For example to phone "A Passage to Argentina" : 00448701991767
To call to telephones located in the city of Buenos Aires you must add the local code 11.
To call to the interior of the country you must dial 0 (zero) and the prefix of the correponding locality before the number.
The Argentinean fixed telephone network uses the US RJ-11 type plug. For computer users, please note that this plug is compatible with all modem inputs so you should get by with a simple RJ-11/RJ-11 lead.Mobile PhonesThe GSM Mobile phone systems in Argentina use the iDEN Standard (and in some places GSM 1900 MHz, as USA).
It is advisable to check with your phone operator before you leave to ensure that your phone will work, and if there is a setup procedure for your phone to function in Argentina.
Work times
| Banks / Exchange | Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 15:00 hours. | | Shops | Monday
to Friday from 9:00 to 20:00 hours in the big cities (in the
inner part of the country it is usual to make a break at
midday) and Saturdays from 9:00 to 13:00 hours. Shopping centres stay
open every day until 22:00 most of them. | | Pizzerias | In general they are always open, except from 3:00 to 6:00 in the early hours. | | Restaurants | Lunch:
from 12:00 to 14:30; dinner: from 20 to 24:00. | | Night clubs | From 23:30 - 01:00 till dawn. |
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Useful Numbers
| Jorge Newbery Airport | 4514-1515 al 23 (8 a 21 hs.) | | Ezeiza International Airport // Aeropuertos Argentina | 4480-0224/0092 Informes: 5480-6111 (8 a 20 hs.) // 4576-5300 Informes: 4576-5111 - 0-800-999-67762 | | Fire Fighters | 100 // 4381-2222/4951-2222 | | Electrical Assistance EDENOR: | 4857-4000 al 4010 EDESUR 0-800-333-3787 | | Gas Assistance | 4309-1050 | | Civil Defense | 103 | | Environmental Emergency | 105 | | Medical Emergency // Medical Attention | 107 // SAME 4923-1051 al 58 4342-4001 al 9 | | Maritime Emergency | 106 | | Speaking clock | 113 | | Shops Information | 112 | | Guide Information | 110 | | Tourist Information | 4312-2232; 0-800-555-0016 (free) | | Intoxications - Ricardo Gutierrez Hospital | 4962-6666 - 4962-2247 | | National Operator | 19 | | International Operator | 000 | | Police (Radioelectric Commando) | 101 - 4346-7000/4346-5700 | | Argentine Federal Police | 131 | | Telephone Line Repair | 114 | | Bus Terminal | 4310-0700 | | Medical Urgencies (SAME) | 107 | | Odontological (Dental) Urgencies | 4964-1259 |
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HealthVaccinationsNo vaccinations are compulsory. However please note that if you are travelling to other countries for which vaccination are recommended, it is best to get these before you leave. In particular, Yellow feaver is still present in neighbouring Bolivia.
Please make sure you are up to date with your "universal" vaccinations; diphteria, tetanos, polio, hepatitis B and if staying for prolonged periods in the coutryside, a jab against rabies is recommended.
General HealthThe Argentine medical system is excellent, however you must be insured, so it is indispensable to arrange medical cover (travel insurance) before leaving.
Argentina has a relatively low sanitary risk compared to some other neighbouring countries, though recently there was cholera epidemic in the North-west which is now erradicated. Basic sanitary precautions should be taken with regards to water when travelling in remote Rural areas particularly in the North-west. These include drinking only purified water, avoiding uncooked fresh vegetables, and regular washing of hands.
Malaria is not present in Argentina.
For the Andean tourist, going above 2500m, be aware of mountain sickness and its local andean variant: sorroche. The usual recommendations apply, limit vertical progress to 400m per day, and descend immediately if symptoms of nausea start appearing. Heavy consumption of garlic is a method of increasing red blood cell levels, increasing the ability to fix oxygen.
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