Travel to Argentina

Travel Tips V

Road Major privatization programs have resulted in many trunk roads being upgraded, and roads are generally in good condition. Expect tolls on motorways.
Rural roads, composed of packed dirt, become impassable after rain. Nonetheless, buses are considered to be a more reliable form of long-distance transport than trains.
Regulations: Traffic drives on the right. Drivers must be at least 21 years of age (sometimes up to 25 years of age) in order to be valid for hiring a car. Car hire: There are a number of agencies in Buenos Aires (including Avis, Dollar and Hertz). Documentation: International Driving Permit is required and this must be stamped at the offices of the Automóvil Club Argentino (website: www.aca.org.ar). These documents must be carried at all times whilst driving: proof of ownership, proof of insurance and receipt for last tax payment.
Taxi: Available in most cities and large towns and can either be hailed on the street or found at taxi ranks. They are usually recognizable by their yellow roofs. It is best to use hotel-recommended Urban Buenos Aires is generally well served by public transport. The city’s underground, the Subte, was the first to be constructed in Latin America. Recently privatized, its old glitzy stations (adorned with ceramic tiles portraying scenes of Argentine life) are now being renovated. There are five lines, labelled A to E. Services operate from early morning to late at night on a fixed-fare basis; tokens can be purchased at booking offices.
Bus: Services are provided by colectivo buses operating 24 hours a day on an inexpensive flat fare; however, these are often crowded, particularly at rush hour, but are usually prompt. There are extensive bus services in other towns, including trolleybuses in Rosario. The main bus station is in Buenos Aires, at Av. Ramos Mejia 1680, close to Retiro Station. taxis. Travel times The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Buenos Aires to other major cities/towns in Argentina.

Travel Tips IV

Prohibited items Animals and birds from Africa or Asia (except Japan) without prior authorization, parrots and fresh foodstuffs, particularly meat, dairy products and fruit. Explosives, inflammable items, narcotics and pornographic material are also forbidden. Note: All gold must be declared. It is wise to arrange customs clearance for expensive consumer items (cameras, computers, etc) to forestall any problems.
Internal Travel: Air Domestic flights from Jorge Newbery (Aeroparque) and Córdoba (COR) (Pajas Blancas) to destinations throughout Argentina are run by Aerolíneas Argentinas (AR). Air travel is the most efficient way to get around, but the services are very busy and can be subject to delay. There is a 30-day Visit Argentina Pass available, with four to eight coupons for flights within the country, with many accompanying airlines. It is also possible to buy a 60-day air pass. Domestic airports: Buenos Aires Aeroparque Jorge Newbury (AEP) is located on the bank of the Rio de la Plata, a few minutes away from the main financial and commercial district. To/from the airport: There are frequent bus and taxi services to all areas of the city as well as a coach connection to Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini international airport.
Facilities: Bank/bureau de change, left luggage, car rental and a tourist information kiosk. Departure tax: Between US$7.05 to US$8, and subject to frequent changes. Rail Owing to severe underfunding of State railways and recent privatization, many long haul services have been disrupted, although some suburban lines have been greatly improved. The domestic rail network extends over 43,000km (27,000 miles), which makes it one of the largest in the world. Children under three travel free and children aged three to 11 pay half fare. There are three classes: air conditioned, first class and second class. There are restaurant and sleeping facilities for first-class passengers. Second-class rail travel is good value. There are six main rail routes from Buenos Aires: Buenos Aires–Rosario (where one branch goes to Tucumán and Jujuy via Córdoba and the second branch goes to Tucumán and Jujuy via La Banda), Buenos Aires–Rojas, Buenos Aires–Santa Rosa, Buenos Aires–Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires–Las Flores–Quequén Necochea and Buenos Aires–Bahía Blanca (where a branch goes to San Carlos de Bariloche). Rail travelers are warned that once out of Buenos Aires, information is very hard to come by. Special fares: The Argempass entitles visitors to unlimited first-class train travel, but is only sold in Argentina at railway booking offices. Passes are available for 30 days, 60 days and 90 days. A supplement is charged for sleeping car accommodation. The passes must be used within 30 days of purchase and are valid from the first day of use to the last day at 2400. Other discount tickets include: Group Pass: 10 to 25 per cent discount for a group of 10 to 25 people; Family Pass: 25 per cent discount for a parent and up to two children; Youth Pass: 25 per cent discount for people under 30 years of age; Senior Pass: 25 per cent discount for women aged 55 and over and men aged 60 and over; and Student Pass: 25 per cent discount for students.

Travel Tips III

Sea/River Main ports: Buenos Aires, Quequén and Bahía Blanca. Ferries and hydrofoils link Buenos Aires with Montevideo in Uruguay, and there are ferry connections down the Paraná River from Paraguay.
Rail The major direct international route is from Buenos Aires to Asunción in Paraguay. There are also direct rail links with Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay. Services are often disrupted and delays can be expected.
Road Argentina has a network of approximately 217,762km (136,101 miles) of roads, of which around 156,789km (97,993 miles) are paved. There are well-maintained road routes from Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Chile. Coach: Direct daily services between Buenos Aires, Puerto Alegre, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
The following goods may be imported into Argentina without incurring customs duty: (a) Travelers over 18 years of age coming from Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay or Uruguay, or residents returning to Argentina after less than one year’s stay in these countries, may import the following goods to a value of US$100: 200 cigarettes and 25 cigars; 1l of alcohol; 2kg of foodstuffs. (b) Travelers over 18 years of age coming from countries other than those listed above, or residents returning to Argentina after less than one year’s stay in countries other than those above, may import the following goods to a value of US$300: 400 cigarettes and 50 cigars; 2l of alcohol; 5kg of foodstuffs.

Travel Tips I

Social Conventions The most common form of greeting between friends is kissing cheeks. When invited to somebody’s house it is quite common to take a homemade dish or dessert. Dinner is usually served between 2100-2200. Avoid casual discussion of the Falklands/Malvinas war. Dress is not usually formal, though clothes should be conservative away from the beach. Formal wear is worn for official functions and dinners, particularly in exclusive restaurants. Smoking is prohibited on public transport, in cinemas and theaters.
International Travel: Air The national airline is Aerolíneas Argentinas (AR) (website: www.aerolineas.com.ar). Many other airlines serve Argentina. Approximate flight times From Buenos Aires to London is 13 hours, to Los Angeles is 16 hours, to New York is 14 hours 15 minutes, to Singapore is 29 hours 30 minutes and to Sydney is 16 hours. Main airports Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) (tel: (11) 5480 6111), is 37km (23 miles) from Buenos Aires.
To/from the airport: There are bus services to the city operating between 0500-2000 (travel time – 40 minutes). Taxis are also available. There is also a coach connection to Jorge Newbery airport (locally called Aeroparque) for domestic flight connections. To reach the city by car, drive in the Teniente General Ricchieri freeway.
Facilities: 24-hour bank, restaurants, tourist information kiosk, bureau de change, duty free shops and car hire (Avis and Hertz).

Tucuman

This wonderful city is also know as the "Jardin de la Republica" ( The Republic´s Garden), and you can take a city tour visiting the Plaza 9 de Julio (9th of July Square), the Government House, the Cathedral, and finish at the Museum Historical House of Independence, when at night it offers a delightful show of music and laser lights.

From Tucuman, you can visit the Calchaquies Valley, which holds an abundant sub tropical vegetation, the Monument to the Calchaqui Native, and then arrive to "Tafi del Valle". At this beautiful valley, you can find "The Infiernillo" (the little hell), which is the highest point of the tucumanian roads at 3.042 meters above sea level. You can also find there "Amaicha del Valle" the only organized native community of the North of Argentina  then go to Quilmes and take a tour over the biggest Archaeological Reserves in Argentina.