Getting Around Argentina

About Argentina

From the mountains to the beaches, from the frozen tundra to the tropical rain forest, and from the big city to the natural parks, Argentina has appealing destinations for the most discerning tourist!

North American travelers will feel right at home because they do not have to change money in most places (U.S. dollars accepted everywhere), and those living in the eastern part of the United States and Canada do not experience jet lag from any time-zone change. And, any time that you need information, just look for this easy-to-spot symbol:

The name Argentina comes from the Latin term argentum, which means silver. The origin of this name goes back to the first voyages made by the Spanish conquerors to the Río de la Plata. The survivors of the shipwrecked expedition, mounted by Juan Díaz de Solís, met native people who gave them silver objects as presents. They also told Solis' expedition the news about the legendary Sierra del Plata — a mountain rich in silver. The myth reached Spain around 1524, and from this date, the Spaniards and the Portuguese sought the silver treasures and named the river of Solís, Río de la Plata (River of Silver). Two years later, the Spanish used the name Argentina in their maps and navigation charts. The National Constitution officially adopted the name in 1853 as "República Argentina" to designate the government and the country's territory.

Argentina is located in South America, and thus, in the southern hemisphere. Argentina covers a vast area of almost 3.8 million square kilometers, 2.8 on the continent — approximately 54% are plains (grasslands and savannahs), 23%, plateaus, and the other 23%, mountains — and the remainder in the Antarctic. It is 3,800 km long and is located between latitudes 22° and 55°. It borders Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile and the Atlantic Ocean.

Argentina's main characteristic is the enormous contrast between the immense eastern plains and the impressive Andes mountain range in the west. This is the frontier with Chile and boasts the highest peak in the Western hemisphere: the Aconcagua Mt., 6,959 meters high.

From Jujuy (N) to Tierra del Fuego (S), the Andes range presents marvelous contrasts: the Northwest plateaus, the lake region, the forests, and glaciers in Patagonia.

The Northern provinces, Salta, Chaco and Formosa, cover a vast, flat, forested area linked to the rivers Bermejo, Salado and Pilcomayo. Between the Paraná and Uruguay rivers, Mesopotamia (provinces of Entre Ríos, Corrientes and Misiones) is formed by low hills, where pools and marshlands evidence the ancient courses of these great rivers. In some places within the subtropical rain forest, there are fissures, which provide such spectacular phenomena as the Iguazú Falls.

The Pampas, in the center of Argentina, is the largest and best-known area of the plains. Agricultural and livestock activities are performed in this area, which includes the province of Buenos Aires, the northeast of La Pampa, the south of Córdoba and south of Santa Fe. To the south, the plains give way to small hills in Tandil and de la Ventana, and to the west, the Córdoba hills.

In the South is the mystic Patagonia. From the Andes to the sea appear the sterile and stony plateaus of Patagonia, swept by the wind during most of the year. The Atlantic coast, lined with high cliffs, forms massive indentations like the Peninsula Valdés, with its spectacular and unique colonies of marine fauna.

Getting In and Around Argentina

Aerolineas Argentinas from New York and Miami; American Airlines from New York, Miami and Dallas; United Airlines from Chicago and Washington; Delta from Atlanta; Air Canada from Toronto; Varig from Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro; TAM from Sao Paulo; Lan Chile from Santiago; and Lan Peru from Lima have mostly daily flights to Argentina arriving at Ezeiza International Airport “Ministro Pistarini,” 25 miles from Buenos Aires. You can reach the city by Teniente General Ricchieri freeway in approximately 45 minutes.

Please note that when leaving the country, a USD $18 airport tax must be paid in cash with local currency or U.S. Dollars, or with Visa, MasterCard or American Express.

During the summer (January through March) there are several cruises docking in Buenos Aires, which include Costa, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Holland America, and others coming from North America and Europe.

The Seasons

Remember that in the southern hemisphere, seasons are the opposite of those in the north. In general, summer is the best time to visit Patagonia and the Southern Andes because of the mild temperatures and long days. Wintertime is recommended for traveling to the North and Northwest as rains are less frequent, and tropical temperatures drop a few degrees. Fall and spring are marvelous in Buenos Aires, Cuyo and the pre-mountain range areas of La Rioja and Catamarca, and the best time of the year for nature lovers to visit Patagonia, because of the marine wildlife approaching the shores of Argentina.

Getting Around

Due to the country’s vast expanse, planes are the best for traveling long distances within a few hours. First-class land transportation is also available and inexpensive; however trips might take up to 30 hours to get to your final destination. If buying “Airpass Visit Argentina” in your own country, you’ll obtain discounted prices for flights within Argentina. However, recent rules determined by Aerolneas Argentinas have changed the pass terms and conditions, making it available only to those flying to Argentina with Aerolineas Argentinas. Local airline companies are Aerolineas Argentinas, Austral, American Falcon, Federales Lneas Aéreas, LADE and Southern Winds.

Domestic flights and flights to Uruguay depart from local airport “Jorge Newbery,” located on the northern corner of the city next to the “Ro de la Plata.” Most local airports in Argentina collect taxes upon check-in. Airport taxes range from $3 to $5 USD or local currency, payable in cash.

Within Buenos Aires city, also known as Capital Federal, there are five subway lines that meet at the center of the city, the heart of tourist attractions and hotels. Subway is the fastest means of transportation. Buenos Aires people prefer it because it connects main avenues, the railway stations and bus terminals. Subway lines operate Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. A token is good for a one-way trip from point to point, with or without connections. You can have as many connections as you wish with the same fare. Once you exit and come in you need a new token.

Taxis in Buenos Aires are also a great option. Over 32,000 cars run on Buenos Aires streets. The exact fare is displayed on a meter that starts at AR $1.28 and adds AR $0.16 for every 200 meters (two blocks approximately).

The bus service is a fast, economical and highly used means of transportation. Generally, it is chosen to travel within the city and the metropolitan area. You should wait no more than 15 minutes to pick up a bus. You may travel around 40 minutes at the most. Service is rendered 24 hours a day, and more than 100 lines travel around the city and to the metropolitan area.

VAT Taxes

The VAT tax is 21% in Argentina and is included in the final tour price. In some cases you could request reimbursement prior to exiting the country, and only for goods, not services. When shopping in Argentina, look for the “Global Refund” logo in most stores and request a “Reimbursement form” from the store. They should complete the form and attach the receipt. At the airport, you must submit all the forms you accrued throughout your trip at the Global Refund counter. You may obtain a VAT reimbursement in cash or credit to your credit card, corresponding to any purchases made within the country for an amount over AR $70 (per transaction) and in shops operating with the “Global Refund” system.

Shopping and Banking

Although U.S. Dollars and Euros are generally accepted everywhere, foreign currencies can be exchanged in banks and authorized bureaus. American Express, VISA, Diners Club and MasterCard are widely accepted. There may be difficulties in changing traveler's checks outside Buenos Aires. The best exchange rate is the one negotiated by your own bank with the Argentinean bank; therefore, cash withdrawn from your savings or checking account would save you in fees and commissions. ATMs are available almost everywhere in Argentina with Spanish and English instructions and the usage fee is normally USD $1.

Banks and Exchange Bureaus are open Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Business Office hours are generally from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Most stores in the big cities are open from 9:00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m., although in the outskirts and provinces other than Buenos Aires, they generally close for siesta from 12 noon to 5 p.m. On Saturdays, they open from 9:00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.

Cafés, cake shops and pizzerias are open most of the time except between 2:00 and 6:00 a.m.

Most restaurants serve lunch from 12:30 p.m. and dinner from 8:30 p.m. Light-fare menus are served in many restaurants and diners at all times. Most American fast food chains are available in Buenos Aires.

The city has several shopping circuits, each offering different articles: antiques in San Telmo, books in Corrientes Avenue, leather items in Retiro neighborhood, souvenirs in La Boca. The avant-garde in objects, clothes and decorative elements is in Palermo Viejo neighborhood. There are also shopping malls opened daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and reachable by subway: Galerias Pacifico, Patio Bullrich, Alto Palermo, Paseo Alcorta and Abasto within city borders, and Unicenter Shopping, about 45 minutes by cab in suburban northern Buenos Aires.

“The Outlets” are shops with reduced prices for seasonal clothes from various famous brands, and are primarily on Av. Córdoba, from Scalabrini Ortiz to Godoy Cruz, about 20 minutes from downtown by cab or subway.

Tourist Information

Secretaria de Tursismo de la Nacion

Av. Santa Fe 883; Phone: 4312-2232 or toll free 0800-555-0016;

Ezeiza International Airport and Jorge Newbery Airport.

E-mail: inf o@turismo.gov.ar

Florida Street

Florida and Av. Roque Sáenz Peña

Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Retiro

Bus Terminal: Av. Antártida Argentina and Calle 10 - Shop 83 - Bridge 3.

Phone: 4311-0528

Monday through Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Puerto Madero

Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 200 - Pier 4 – Crane 8.

Phone: 4313-0187

Monday through Friday from 12 noon to 6 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Abasto Shopping Mall

Av. Corrientes and Agüero; Phone: 4959-3507

Monday through Sunday and holidays, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

La Boca

Teatro De la Rivera, Pedro de Mendoza 1821

Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Recoleta

J.M. Ortz and Av. Quintana

Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

San Telmo

Defensa 1250; Phone: 4313-0187

Monday through Friday from 12 noon 6 p.m.,

Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tango Information Center

Centro Cultural General San Martin. Sarmiento 1551

Phone: 4373-2823, Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Open daily from 2 to 10 p.m.

Information about “milongas”, tango shows, private tango lessons and group lessons. Information available on tango record stores, records companies, bookshops, tango clothing outlets, Argentinean tango artists’ biographies and photographs.

Tourist Police Station “Comisara del Turista”

Av. Corrientes 436; Phone: 4346-5748 or 4328-2135 or toll free 0800-999-5000
E-mail: turista@policiafederal.gov.ar.

This law enforcement office was created to protect tourists’ interests and safety. They conduct street patrol in most tourist neighborhoods and the officers speak at least two languages, which include Japanese, English, French, Italian, Portuguese and Ukrainian, offering tourists a quick response in the event of theft, common law crime or any other eventuality like loosing identity cards, flight tickets or passports.

Defensora del Turista:

Av. Pedro de Mendoza 1835 (Museo de Bellas Artes de La Boca
"Don Benito Quinquela Martn"); Phone: 4302-7816, Fax: 4302-7816
E-mail: turista@defensoria.org.ar.

Consumer Affairs

Esmeralda 340 - Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Emergency Assistance / Paramedics

SAME - Phone: 107 or 4923-1051/58

FEDERAL HOLIDAYS

January 1st - New Year’s

March/April* - Easter / Good Friday

April 2** - Veterans’ Day and tribute to the fallen in the Malvinas War

May 1st - Labor Day

May 25 - Anniversary of the First Independent Argentinean Government

June 20*** - Flag Day

July 9 - Independence Day

August 17*** - Anniversary of the death of General José de San Martn

October 12** - Columbus Day

December 8 - Immaculate Conception Day

December 25 - Christmas Day

* Floating Holiday

** If the date falls on a Tuesday or Wednesday, the holiday will be effective on the preceding Monday; if it falls on Thursday or Friday, the holiday will be effective the following Monday.

*** Holiday effective the third Monday of the month.