Last updated: 14 Jan 2013
Visiting
Business hours
Private and government offices are open from 8.00am to 5.00pm or 9.00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Most shopping centres, department stores and supermarkets are open from 9.00am to 9.00pm, Monday to Sunday.
Banks are open from 10.00am to 3.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Public holidays
January 1 – New Year's Day
February 11-12 – Carnival
March 29 – Good Friday
April 1 – Additional Argentine holiday
April 2 – Malvinas Day
May 1 – Labour Day
June 20 – General Manuel Belgrano Remembrance Day
June 21 – Additional Argentine holiday
July 9 – Independence Day
August 19 – General San Martin Remembrance Day
October 14 – Respect for Cultural Diversity Day
November 25 – National Sovereignty Day
December 25 – Christmas Day
Climate
As Argentina is in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are the same as in Australia and the temperatures are in a similar range.
For weather details in Argentina, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.
Currency
Oanda currency converter
The currency is the Argentine Peso (Arg$).
Banknotes come in $100 peso, $50 peso, $20 peso, $10 peso, $5 peso, $2 peso and coins are for $1 peso, 50c, 25c, 10c and 5c.
Time zones and time differences
Argentina is 14 hours behind Australia Eastern Standard Time. There is only one time zone in Argentina.
To find out the current time in Buenos Aires, view the World Clock.
Dialling codes
Argentina's country code is 54.
For calls to Argentina from Australia dial: 0011 + 54 + area code + telephone number.
For calls from Argentina to Australia dial: 0011 + 61 + area code + telephone number.
To call a mobile phone within Argentina, prefix ‘15’ must be dialled. However, it is not required when calling a mobile from abroad.
For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.
Electricity and water
Argentina's power supply is 220 volts, 60 cycles, 1 & 3 phase; 2, 3, 4 wires. Some international hotels in Buenos Aires have 110 and 220-volt outlets. The most common type of plug has three flat pins, the same as in Australia.
Links and resources
Argentine Secretariat of Tourism – www.turismo.gov.ar/eng/menu.htm
Restaurant.com – www.restaurant.com.ar
Please note: this list of websites and resources is not definitive. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement by Austrade. The information provided is a guide only.