Visiting Argentina

(Last updated: 05 Nov 2008)

Visas

Australians don’t need visas if they stay for a period of less than three months.

Enquiries regarding visas for Australian business visitors proposing to stay more than three months should be directed to:

Argentine Consulate in Sydney
Level 13, Gold Fields House
1 Alfred Street, Circular Quay
Sydney, NSW 2000
Tel: +61 2 9251 3402
Fax: +61 2 9251 3405

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.

Airports

Buenos Aires is the international gateway city to Argentina and is served by the major international airlines. Qantas Airlines has two direct flights per week (via Auckland) to Buenos Aires.

The domestic air routes are extensive. The following domestic airlines have regular flights to and between provincial cities and the major tourist areas: LAPA, Southern Winds, Dinar, Austral and Aerolineas Argentinas.

The domestic airport in Buenos Aires (Aeroparque Jorge Newbery) is located about 20 minutes from the city centre. Check-in time for domestic flights is one hour prior to departure.

Ground transport

Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) is located about 35km from Buenos Aires. You should allow 45 minutes to get from the airport to most major hotels in Buenos Aires. This is different in peak hours (7.00am-10.00am and 5.00pm-8.00pm) when the trip may take over an hour.

Moving around the country is easy with national highways and roads connecting the major cities. There is also an extensive public transportation system including buses, trains and subways.

It is not recommended to take a normal black and yellow taxi from the airport into Buenos Aires city. Austrade Buenos Aires recommends taking a chauffeur driven car (known as a remis) at a cost of approximately US$45. This service is available from booths inside the Arrivals Hall.

Two companies offer the service of bus transfers to Buenos Aires city centre and main hotels: Manuel Tienda Leon and Transfer Express. The transfer costs approximately US$35 and takes about 35 minutes. Both companies have booths in the Arrivals Hall of the airport.

Hotels

There are many hotels in Buenos Aires, ranging from five-star international hotel chains such as Hyatt, Marriott, Intercontinental and Sheraton, to cheaper low budget hostels. International chains also operate hotels in most important business and tourist destinations throughout the country. In Buenos Aires, most hotels are located near the city centre, where it safer to stay and where most businesses are located.

If you are planning to visit Argentina, the Austrade office can recommend some hotels depending on the length of your stay and the characteristics of your visit.

Security and health

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Argentina. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.

As in any large city, safety is an issue in Buenos Aires, particularly for foreigners who don’t speak Spanish. We recommend the usual precautions:

• Keep an eye on personal belongings.
• Avoid walking in poorly lit streets, or if you are alone in a street where there is little traffic or few people.
• Always look after your personal belongings.
• Do not wear valuable jewellery.
• If it is your first visit, ask for recommendations on where to eat, stay and go out.
• Be careful if taking the common black and yellow taxis.

Health

Vaccination certificates are not normally required, unless you have stayed for more than 30 days in a yellow fever infected area such as South East Asia, Central Africa or some South and Central American countries.

Over-the-counter and prescription medicines are readily available and there are many chemists and pharmacies.

Tipping

Tipping is common practice. It is considered adequate to tip around 10 per cent of the total of the meal. Tips are not included in the bill. When paying with credit cards, it is common practice to tip the waiter in cash.

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.

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
April 3 – Veteran's Day
May 1 – Labour Day
August 21 – Anniversary of the May Revolution
October 12 – Columbus Day
December 25 – Christmas Day

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.

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.

Dining

Most restaurants open for dinner around 8.30pm, and will not close until 1.00am. Italian, Spanish and French cuisines, as well as Argentine traditional cuisine are the most popular. Some recommended restaurant areas in Buenos Aires include Puerto Madero, Las Cañitas and Palermo Viejo. Restaurant.com lists over 1000 restaurants, bars and cafés in Buenos Aires and other large cities.

In Buenos Aires it is common to have a light meal or a sandwich during the day and a three-course meal for dinner. Three course lunches are very popular in most other Argentine cities, where the atmosphere is more relaxed and people usually take siestas after lunch.