Have you ever thought about jumping into a plane for a spring break in Argentina? Maybe you want to learn Spanish in Buenos Aires or learn tango in Mendoza? Are you talking too hard? No way, but there are a few things you need to know when you go abroad. Use the following five travel tips for your next trip to Argentina and memorize it.
1. PASSPORT - Visitors to Argentina who are citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will need a passport to enter. Applications for a US passport can be obtained at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html, with regular services taking up to 10-12 weeks from the date of application. A visa is not required for a tourist stay of up to 90 days; for longer stays, contact the local embassy for information. In the USA - contact the Consular Section of the Embassy of Argentina, 1718 Connecticut. NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel. 202 / 238-6460). For more information, try http://www.uic.edu/orgs/argentina. In Canada - contact the Embassy of the Argentine Republic, Suite 910, Royal Bank Center, St. 90 Sparks, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5B4 (tel. 613 / 236-2351, fax 613 / 235-2659). In the UK, contact the Embassy of the Argentine Republic, 65 Brooke St., London W1Y 4AH (tel. 020 / 7318-1300, fax 020 / 7318-1301, seruni at mrecic.gov.ar).
2 CURRENCY - The current exchange rate is 3 to 1 per US dollar in Argentine peso. Peso consists of 100 centavas. Money is denominated in notes 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 pesos; and coins 1, 2 and 5 pesos and 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 centavos. US dollars are widespread in Buenos Aires, but in the rural areas of the country, the peso is the currency of choice, and the place of exchange is to a lesser extent. American Express passenger checks are subject to change at offices located in Buenos Aires in Arenales-707 (tel. 11 / 4130-3135), Bariloche, Salta, San Martan and Ushuaia. Outside these places there are very few American Express exchange points, so when traveling to remote places, be sure to plan ahead. Many of the hotels do not accept credit cards, so check beforehand that you can pay your bill in this way.
3 CAR RENT - Drive Argentines very fast compared to American drivers and do not always obey traffic lights or tracks. The Seat Belt Act is in force, although some locals actually wear them. American driver licenses are valid in Buenos Aires, but you need an Argentine or international license to drive in most other parts of the country. When you drive out of town, remember that auto-lane means a highway or highway, and paso means a mountain pass. It is not recommended to ride in the countryside at night, as the cattle are free and difficult to see in the dark. Fuel is about $ 1 per liter, or $ 4 per gallon. Car rentals are available in Hertz, Paraguay 1122 (tel. 800 / 654-3131 in the USA or 11 / 4816-8001 in Buenos Aires); Avis, Cerrito 1527 (tel. 800 / 230-4898 in the United States or 11 / 4300-8201 in Buenos Aires); The dollar, Marcelo T. de Alvear 523 (tel. 800 / 800-6000 in the United States or 11 / 4315-8800 in Buenos Aires); and Thrifty, Av. Leandro N. Alem 699 (tel. 800 / 847-4389 in the United States, or 11 / 4315-0777 in Buenos Aires). Car rentals in Argentina are more expensive, and computers starting at $ 50 to $ 60 per day request special promotions.
4. ELECTRICITY - Electricity in Argentina operates at 220V. Most American laptops work on 110v or 220v, check yours to determine which one you have. Any other small appliances will require a European-style transformer and adapter. While most luxury hotels will have these items for your use, some small or rural hotels will not. Cyber cafes called Locuturios are common in Buenos Aires and other major cities, where you can connect for an average of $ 1.00 per hour.
5. SEASONS “While those of us here in the Northern Hemisphere are used to the seasons that we have learned, you must remember that everything happens in the opposite direction south of the equator. The summer months in Argentina are from December to February, ideal for a trip to Santa Cruz. However, Buenos Aires has a very hot, humid summer, so it’s better to get there in spring and autumn (in November or March). If winter sports are what you are looking for, then the winter months from June to October will be when planning your next trip.
These tips will surely give you an edge when planning a trip to exotic Argentina. Traveling to a foreign district requires a bit of effort, but the experience you get will last a lifetime. The world is such a global community that visiting and understanding the culture of another country only brings people closer together.
Argentina is waiting for you, use the tips above to plan a successful trip there today!
