Argentina Travel Information
If you’re travelling to Argentina, our up-to-date travel advice gives you practical tips. We highly recommend learning a few basic phrases in Spanish which will get you a long way when in Argentina. In some areas it is not easy to find English-speaking guides. But the locals will immediately connect once they see you can speak some Spanish. We hope the tips we prepared for you will ease the travel preps and will set you on the right way before your trip.
Visa and Passport: No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days for a British and EU passport holder. Passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry. UK Foreign Travel Advise to Argentina. If you are traveling from another country, please check the rules in your government website. In urgent situations get your visas sorted with iVisa.
Minors: for minors travelling without parents or only with one parent an official affidavit signed by the missing parent or both might be required. Additionally, please also have the birth certificate at hand as well.
Time Zone:ART (UTC−03:00)
Phone: + 54 Wi-Fi : Available
Electricity: bring an adapter, the socket has a specific shape
Money: Argentina’s currency is the Argentine Peso (ARS). Foreign currencies can be exchanged for Argentine Pesos at banks, exchange offices (casas de cambio) and some hotels. US Dollars are widely used for exchange, while Euros can also be exchanged in major cities and tourist destinations. Most major international credit and debit cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants and larger shops, although acceptance can be more limited in remote areas and smaller establishments.
We recommend carrying some cash with you for small purchases, additional meals and drinks, local transport or tips. In rural areas and national parks, ATMs may be scarce, and smaller hotels, estancias, restaurants and local shops may not always accept cards. It is therefore useful to have some Argentine Pesos available, particularly when travelling to more remote destinations such as Patagonia, the Northwest, the Iberá Wetlands or the Lake District.
Language: The official language of Argentina is Spanish. A few words of Spanish are always helpful:
Hello, how are you?: Hola, ¿cómo estás?
Good morning!: ¡Buenos días!
Good afternoon!: ¡Buenas tardes!
Good evening/night!: ¡Buenas noches!
What is your name?: ¿Cómo te llamas?
My name is…: Me llamo…
Please: Por favor.
Thank you: Gracias.
You’re welcome: De nada.
Great!: ¡Qué bien!
Can you help me?: ¿Me puedes ayudar?
I am lost: Estoy perdido/a. (use “perdido” if you’re male and “perdida” if you’re female)
I don’t understand: No entiendo.
Can you speak slowly, please?: ¿Puedes hablar más despacio, por favor?
How much does this cost?: ¿Cuánto cuesta esto?
Accommodation: Argentina has plenty of accommodation types for every taste and budget. Check-in and check-out times vary from property to property. Rooms will usually be available around 2 pm and you will be required to check-out around 10 am.
Getting Around:
By Air: Air service covers most of Argentina.
By Train: Argentina has some long-distance train services which are operating in some areas. This is not practical thought to travel by train in Argentina.
Road Transport: Long-distance bus services are available throughout the country. Buses in Argentina are very comfortable and modern. Many bus companies will provide wi-fi onboard. However, sometimes the price for a flight will be the same or cheaper than a similar bus ticket. We would advise to fly wherever possible.
Boats: Boats are important for sightseeing in Bariloche, Ushuaia, Lago Nahuel Huapi, Lago Argentino near El Calafate, Iguazú River, Beagle Channel. Regular passenger ferries connect Buenos Aires with Colonia del Sacramento and Montevideo in Uruguay. There are also expedition cruises to Antarctica departing from Ushuaia.
Health & Hygiene:
Argentina has a well-developed healthcare system, with both public and private medical facilities available throughout the country. While emergency treatment in public hospitals may be available to visitors, we strongly recommend travelling with comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical expenses, as well as any activities included in your itinerary.
For emergencies, dial 107 for SAME (Sistema de Atención Médica de Emergencias) in Buenos Aires and other areas where the service operates, or 911 for general emergencies.
Argentina’s climate varies considerably from region to region, so it is important to stay well hydrated, particularly during the warmer months and when travelling in the northwest, the Cuyo region or Patagonia. Bottled water is widely available, and tap water is generally safe to drink in major cities and many tourist destinations, although you may prefer bottled or filtered water in more remote areas.
Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat, especially during outdoor activities and at high altitudes. The sun can be particularly strong in the Andes and in Patagonia, even when temperatures feel cool.
Bring insect repellent when travelling to areas where mosquitoes are more common, particularly in the northeast, around Iguazú Falls and the wetlands of Iberá.
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after using public transport and visiting busy tourist attractions. When hiking, cycling or exploring remote areas, carry hand sanitiser and enough drinking water.
Take care when consuming food in remote areas and choose well-prepared meals from reputable establishments. During hiking, cycling and other outdoor excursions, carry snacks that are suitable for the local climate and do not require refrigeration.
If you are travelling to high-altitude destinations such as Salta, Jujuy or the Andes, allow yourself time to acclimatise and avoid strenuous activity during your first hours at altitude. If you experience persistent or severe symptoms, seek medical advice.
Food Safety: Good read in regards to Food Safety while traveling.
Vaccination:
For most travellers, no specific vaccinations are required to enter Argentina. However, it is always advisable to ensure that your routine vaccinations are up to date before travelling. Depending on your itinerary, travel history and individual circumstances, your doctor may recommend additional vaccinations.
Yellow fever vaccination is generally not required for travellers arriving directly in Argentina, but a certificate of yellow fever vaccination may be required if you are arriving from, or have recently transited through, a country where yellow fever is present. The vaccine may also be recommended for travellers visiting certain areas in the north and northeast of Argentina, particularly parts of Misiones and Corrientes provinces, although the risk varies by location.
If you are travelling onwards from Argentina to another country, check that country’s entry requirements, particularly if you have previously visited a yellow-fever-risk area.
Safety:
Argentina is generally a welcoming and safe destination for visitors, and most travellers enjoy trouble-free trips. As in any country, however, it is important to take sensible precautions, particularly in large cities and busy tourist areas.
- Upon arriving at the airport, use official taxis, authorised transfers or reputable ride-hailing services. We will always cover your transfers.
- When withdrawing or exchanging money, avoid displaying large amounts of cash in public. Carry only what you need for the day and keep your money and valuables discreetly stored.
- Take care of your belongings in busy places such as markets, popular tourist attractions and pedestrian streets, where pickpocketing can occur.
- At night, stick to well-lit and busy streets and use registered taxis or reputable transport services. Avoid walking alone through unfamiliar or isolated areas.
- In Buenos Aires and other major cities, ask your hotel or local guide which neighbourhoods and areas are best avoided, especially after dark.
Sustainability: Sustainable Tourism and responsible travel are our concern. Our programs always respect the cultural characteristics and local customs of the many different ethnic groups of our country. We work fairly with our local partners and always employ local guides. In this way, you can have your own picture of life in Argentina – at the same time the communities in the regions visited are strengthened by the interest and the additional source of income in their assessment of their traditions and their original way of life.
What to Bring:
- Good pair of walking shoes and suitable outdoor clothing
- Sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and lip balm
- The most common plug types are Type I (with three flat pins, also used in Australia and New Zealand) and Type C (the standard two-round-pin European plug).
- Camera equipment, such as chargers and batteries
- Good insect repellent (DEET preferable)
- A light sweater/fleece for for bus rides (they get cold because of air conditioning)
- Light waterproof jacket
- Long sleeve tops and long trousers for forest walks
- Water purification tablets
- Local cash, as you won’t find an ATM in the national parks
- Winter cloths for colder temperatures