Argentina Car Hire Argentina Campervan Hire
Argentina is a country of immense beauty and proportions. Its geographic diversity spans the most breathtaking terrain from Antarctica, through the wild, glacier-filled mountains of Patagonia and massive open plains of La Pampas to the deserts and tropical jungles in the north. The country can be enjoyed for its natural wonders alone, but no visit here could be called complete without stepping into its soul, its capital city. The elegant Buenos Aires is home to 40 percent of the population, and is a buzzing metropolis with a rich, passionate and tortured history that is integral to its character. It is Europe and South America contained in one geographical location, with elements of the unknown around each corner. It is familiar and strange at the same time, but at its very core, wonderfully welcoming. Along the elegant avenues of the fashionable districts, sophisticated diners observe passers-by while they sip strong coffee or enjoy smooth cervezas. There is a constant smell of meat grilling from every corner and sidewalk that reveals the Argentine passion for 'asado'. Neither glamour nor passion are in short supply in this cosmopolitan hub where porteneros are equally versed in football, politics and fashions.

There are disparities between the rich and poor, with many people living in near slum conditions in the outskirts of Buenos Aires. Since 1992 the economy has teetered near collapse due to corruption and government mismanagement, prompting regular and sometimes violent demonstrations. However it is business-as-usual as far as tourism is concerned; in fact, the resultant devaluation of the peso has made the country much more affordable for travellers.

With so much to see and experience in this exceptional country, most visitors find they need to return for a second rendezvous.

Time:
Local time is GMT -3.

Electricity:
Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Most hotels and offices use the three-pin flat type plug however most older buildings have the two-pin round type.

Language:
Spanish is the official language, however English is understood in the tourist areas.

Health:
There is a low risk of yellow fever, cholera and malaria in some northern provinces, so it is wise to seek your doctor's advice when travelling to these areas. Water is safe to drink in major towns and cities. Medical facilities are good in the major cities. Treatment is expensive, however, and medical insurance is advised. Asthma, sinus and bronchial ailments can be aggravated by pollution in Buenos Aires. Those with specific conditions should bring a sufficient quantity of medical supplies and medicines for the trip.

Safety:
Although the political and economic crisis is over, there are still periodic outbreaks of social unrest and demonstrations. Visitors are advised to avoid such public gatherings and keep abreast with news to know whether any political unrest is expected. However, there is no specific threat to foreigners and travellers should not be discouraged from travelling throughout the country. Be alert to bag-snatchers, pick-pocketers and con-men, particularly in crowded areas in Buenos Aires, on public transport and in popular tourist haunts, such as San Telmo
.
Customs:
It is an offence for anyone, including children, to wear camouflage clothing.

Communications:
The international access code for Argentina is +54. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Calls are usually made from public call centres, but there are also public telephones that take coins or phone cards, although one usually pays more than the unit value of the card. Mobile phones are increasingly popular; the area code must always be used when phoning a mobile in Argentina. Internet cafes are widely available in Buenos Aires and other popular tourist destinations. Many hotels also offer Internet access.

Money:
The Argentinean Peso (ARS) is divided into 100 centavos. The recent devaluation of the Peso has made Argentina more affordable for travellers but there is still much economic uncertainty and travellers are advised to keep an eye on the exchange rate. Currency can be exchanged at banks and cambios (bureaux de change) but it is easier to use ATMs, available in most towns, which reflect the current exchange rate. Credit and debit cards are generally accepted, and US Dollars and Euros are generally taken everywhere. Cirrus cards sometimes aren't accepted. There can be problems using travellers cheques in rural areas, although most banks in major cities should accept them. It's best to take travellers cheques in US Dollars to avoid additional exchange rate charges.

Climate:
Argentina’s elongated geography ensures that the country has a diverse climate. The north is subtropical with rain throughout the year and is best visited between May and September when the heat and humidity is less oppressive. The south has a sub-arctic climate and is best visited in the summer (December to February). The central area is temperate, but can be hot and humid during summer and cool in winter.

Buenos Aires
Downtown Buenos Aires is as sophisticated as any European city, with its wide avenues, fine colonial architecture and rows of pavement cafes. The city was built by French, Italian and Spanish immigrants and the Porteños (locals) still regard themselves as more European than South American. Travellers walking through the leafy parks and boulevards could be forgiven for thinking they were in Madrid, Paris or Milan.

Buenos Aires was founded on the shores of the Rio de la Plata in 1570 and was named after the patron saint of sailors for the good wind or buen aire. The city remained a colonial backwater for 200 years while the Spanish concentrated their attentions on wealthier Peru. During this time Buenos Aires became a thriving centre for smuggling between South America and Europe. Dissatisfaction with Spanish economic and political dominance escalated to boiling point and culminated in the revolution of May 1810 and finally to independence in 1816. Its history since then has been dogged by military coups and political mismanagement; the consequences of which are growing disaffection with the government and widespread poverty, as is evident in the sprawling shantytowns on the city's outskirts.

This turbulent history has not managed to stifle the indomitable spirit of the Porteños whose passion, charm and vibrancy have forged this great city, a place in which the fire of Evita's soul and the allure of the tango endure.

Buenos Aires Attractions

Cabildo
Opposite the Casa Rosada on the Plaza de Mayo is the resplendent former Spanish town hall, the Cabildo, a fascinating old colonial building fronted by arches that once encircled the plaza, back during the May Revolution in 1810. The guards outside the building are members of the revered Regimiento de Patricios, which was formed in 1806, and the changing of the guard every hour is a popular attraction. They still wear their traditional uniforms, designed nearly 200 years ago. The interior houses a small museum, which displays some interesting architectural relics, religious icons as well as watercolour paintings by Enrique Pellegrini.

Address: Calle Bolívar 65; Telephone: (011) 4334 1782; Transport: Metro to Plaza de Mayo, Catedral or Bolívar; Opening time: Tuesday to Friday 12.30am to 7pm, Sunday 2pm to 6pm; Admission: $1

Casa Rosada

One of the world's most famous balconies juts out of Argentina's Presidential Palace, known as the Casa Rosada. The pink building has been the scene of many a political rally, particularly during the regime of the notorious and tragic Juan and Eva Peron. The Italian style building, fronted with palm trees and fountains, was painted pink when it was converted from a Customs and Post Office building into the presidential palace. President Sarmiento decided to appease opposing political parties by merging red and white into a pink colour scheme for the palace. Today the building houses a small basement museum displaying some presidential artefacts. Each evening a small platoon of mounted grenadiers emerge from the guardhouse to lower the flag on the Plaza, adding a touch of pomp and ceremony to the pretty building.

Address: Hipólito Yrigoyen 219, Plaza de Mayo; Telephone: (0)11 4344 3802; Transport: Metro to Plaza de Mayo; Opening time: Museum: Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Sundays 2pm to 6pm. Guided tours are available; Admission: Free

Catedral Metropolitana

Other important buildings around the Plaza de Mayo include the Neoclassical Catedral Metropolitana, which houses the tomb of General José de San Martin, the revered hero who liberated Argentina from the Spanish. The cathedral was periodically rebuilt and renovated since the foundation stone was laid in the 16th century. The current structure was finally completed in the mid-19th century. The interior has recently been renovated and the gilded columns, Venetian mosaic floors, and silver-plated altar are in pristine condition.

Address: San Martín and Rivadavia streets, Plaza de Mayo; Telephone: (0)11 4331 2845; Transport: Metro to Bolívar, Catedral, or Plaza de Mayo; Admission: Free

La Recoleta Cemetery

An unlikely tourist attraction, La Recoleta Cemetery is well worth visiting to see its magnificent display of monuments and the ostentatious tombs of Argentina's rich and famous. One of the more modest, but by far the most celebrated, is the grave of Eva Peron. Every day thousands of visitors come to leave flowers at the door of the Duarte family mausoleum, where she is buried. Forty years on, Evita remains both the most revered and reviled figure in Argentina. Love her or loathe her, her spirit lives on in La Recoleta.

Address: Calle Junín, Plaza Francesa; Opening time: Open daily. Guided tours are available; Admission: Free

Argentina Passport & Visa Requirements
Entry requirements for Americans: US nationals require a valid passport for travel to Argentina, but no visa is required for stays of up to three months, providing the visit is for touristic purposes only.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK nationals require a valid passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months for British Citizens and British Overseas Citizens, provided the stay is for tourist purposes. A visa is not required for a stay of up to two months for British Nationals (Overseas). All other British passport holders require a visa.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians require a valid passport, but no visa for stays up to three months, providing the visit is for touristic purposes only.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australians require a valid passport, but no visa for stays of up to 3 months, providing the visit is for touristic purposes only.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South African nationals must hold a valid passport, but no visa is required for stays of up to 3 months, provising the visit is for touristic purposes only.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals require a valid passport, but no visa for stays of up to three months, providing the visit is for tourist purposes only.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a valid passport, but no visa for stays of up to 3 months, providing the visit is for touristic purposes only.
Passport/Visa Note: It is recommended that all visitors have sufficient funds (at least US$50 per day), as well as onward or return tickets and documents required for next destination.
Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

Argentina Contacts
National Secretariat of Tourism, Buenos Aires: +54 (0)11 4312 2232 or www.turismo.gov.ar
Embassy of Argentina, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 238 6401
Embassy of Argentina, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7318 1300
Embassy of Argentina, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 236 2351
Embassy of Argentina, Canberra: (02) 6273 9111
Embassy of Argentina, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 430 3524/7
Embassy of Argentina, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 269 1546
Embassy of Argentina, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 472 8330
United States Embassy, Buenos Aires: +54 (0)11 5777 4533
British Embassy, Buenos Aires: +54 (0)11 4808 2200
Canadian Embassy, Buenos Aires: +54 (0)11 4808 1000
Australian Embassy, Buenos Aires: +54 (0)11 4779 3500
Embassy of South Africa, Buenos Aires: +54 (0)11 4317 2900
Embassy of Ireland, Buenos Aires: +54 (0)11 5787 0801
New Zealand Embassy, Buenos Aires: +54 (0)11 4328 0747
Emergencies: 101

Argentina Airport

Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE)
Location: The airport is situated 22 miles (35km) to the southwest of Buenos Aires. Time: GMT -3. Contacts: Tel: +54 (0)11 5480 6111. Transfer between terminals: The two terminals are linked by a covered walkway. Transfer to the city: Manuel Tienda Leon run a bus every 30 minutes to their terminal in the city centre (Madero Terminal), taking about 40 minutes. Public buses are cheaper but can take up to two hours to the city centre. Metered taxis are also available outside the terminal buildings, and chauffeured cars (remises) are available for hire on the lower level of both terminals. Car rental: Car rental companies have desks in Terminal A. Facilities: There are several shops, pharmacies, restaurants, cafes and bars, as well as duty-free shopping. Bureaux de change and ATMs are available as well as a 24-hour bank. There is a left-luggage facility and a tourist information desk in Terminal A. Other facilities include mobile phone hire, medical service, a VIP lounge and Internet access. Facilities for the disabled are good. Parking: Long- and short-term parking is available in both a multi-level covered parking garage (adjacent to Terminal A) and an open-air lot. Departure tax: Airport tax: US$18 (international flights), US$8 (regional and Uruguay), P6.05 (domestic). Security tax: US$2.50 (international), P1 (domestic). Immigration tax (international flights): US$10. Website: www.aa2000.com.ar

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