Useful information (Read before you travel)

Language

Spanish is the national language; and English, French and Italian are widely spoken.

Climate

Argentina's climate is extremely varied, from mild and wet ín the Pampas, to cold and damp ín Patagonia, and from subtropical ín Mesopotamia to hot ín the north. The temperature averages 23°C ín summertime - November through March -, and 12°C ín wintertime.

Currency

The official Argentine currency is the Peso. There are bills of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pesos, and coins of 1 peso and 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents.

Travel documents and visas

Foreign visitors need a valid passport, or an identity document if they are citizens of a neighboring country. The nationals of some countries require a visa. If you would like to obtain any further information, you should contact the Argentinean consulate ín your country.

Getting there and away

Ezeiza International Airport, situated 35 km from downtown Buenos Aires, is served by numerous international airlines. Domestic flights operate from busy Jorge Newbery airport, with flights to the provinces' capitals and the country's main tourist destinations. Trains and long-distance buses also link tourist centers by means of excellent freeways and national highways.

And many cruises stop in Argentina, particularly on their way to Antarctica.

Rent-a-Car and Taxis

The main international, as well as some local, car rental companies have offices in the most important cities and airports. All cities are served by metered taxis, and the displayed fare is paid for when the trip is over.

Accomodations

Accommodations in Argentina range from estancia rooms to 5-star hotels.

Food and Drinks

Beef and wine have made this country especially well-known. The regional dishes are many and flavorsome. The most popular cuisines are the international Italian, French and Spanish; although the German, Jewish, Scandinavian, Greek, and Hungarian, among others, are also worth sampling.

Shopping

Buenos Aires and all the main provincial capitals have modern shopping malls and boutiques selling national and international brands. Products tend to be very high quality, especially those made of leather and wool, as well as designer clothes. Furs, handicrafts and antiques make excellent souvenirs. In the big cities, stores are generally open from 9 am to 7.30 pm.

Electricity

Alternating electric current operates on 220/240V, 50 cycles.

Time

Argentina ís three hours behind UTC.

Communications

There are excellent telephone, fax, e-mail and telegraph services, and the Discado Directo Internacional or DDI (International Direct Dialing) may be accessed everywhere ín Argentina. The country's code is 54, which must be followed by the city code and the phone number. Public telephones operate on coins or on phone cards that can be purchased at kioskos (convenience stores).

Tourist information

Every provincial capital and tourist destination has a tourist office providing local information. In the city of Buenos Aires, the Centro de Información Turística de la Secretaría de Turismo y Deporte de la Nación (Tourist Information Center of the National Bureau of Tourism and Sports) is located at Av. Santa Fe 883; toll free: 0800 555 0016.