Before You Book

PREPARING TO GO TO ARGENTINA

CAPITAL

Buenos Aires

OFFICAL LANGUAGE(S)

Spanish is the official language of Argentina. English, Italian, German, Portuguese and French are also spoken.

RELIGION

Most of the population is Roman Catholic (approx. 90%). There are also smaller numbers of Protestants, Jews & Muslims.

LOCAL TIME

The standard time for Argentina is calculated from Buenos Aires. Argentina Time (ART) is 3 hours behind GMT.

ELECTRICITY

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Lamp fittings are of the screw-type. Plug fittings in older buildings are of the two-pin round type, but some new buildings use the three-pin flat type.

Argentina power outlets

PASSPORT & VISA

A valid passport is required by all nationals. All Passengers are responsible for securing proper documentation prior to joining the tour. Please ensure that passport/s are valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the intended date of return and contain between 2-6 blank “Visa” pages. You should have at least two free pages in your passport. Please access our link to the Travel & Visa Requirements Section in our Before You Go page available in each itinerary web page for the latest visa entry requirements for the country/ies you are visiting.

Passports are required; in addition, travelers are also advised to check with local consulates for full details regarding visa requirements. Please note securing a valid visa for entry is the sole responsibility of the traveler.

LOCAL CURRENCY

The monetary unit in Argentina is the Argentine Peso (ARS). XE.com is a useful site for currency conversion.

Peso (ARS; symbol AR$) = 100 centavos. Peso notes are in denominations of AR$100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2. Coins are in denominations of AR$5, 2 and 1, and in 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 centavos.

US Dollars are accepted in some hotels and tourist centres. Prices in US Dollars are typically marked with US$ to avoid confusion, but sometimes both peso and dollar prices are both preceded by just $, so check if unsure.

MONEY EXCHANGE, CREDIT CARD & ATM

We recommend that you bring cash in US Dollars only. US Dollars are widely accepted. Currency exchanges are available in all the major cities. Most major credit cards are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit Card Company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

We do not recommend changing money with people offering the service on the street.

ATMs are available in most cities and have options in English, but it is still best to carry alternative forms of payment as daily withdrawal limits are low and machines don't always work. During national holidays ATMs can run out so it is wise to withdraw in advance.

CLOTHING

As a general guideline, clothing should be lightweight, loose fitting, hard-wearing and easily washed. In the hot summer months, cotton clothing is much more comfortable than man-made materials like nylon. It can get very cold, especially in the south or at altitude, so bring warm clothing. Be prepared for cooler evenings even in summer - for this reason you will generally find it better to pack several thin layers rather than one thick layer. A fleece can be invaluable.

COMMUNICATIONS

Phone:

Calls can be made from locutories (telephone offices) which have private booths. You pay for the cost of your call at the cash desk. Public street phones can be used for local calls. Long distance calls tend to be around $US 1-3 depending on the time of day – they are cheaper in the evening and at weekends.

Internet:

Tourists always have many options for using the internet in Argentina such as: Argentina SIM cards, eSIM, Data roaming, pocket wifi, public wifi.

There are numerous internet cafés throughout Argentina, and many locutories also have internet access as well. Connections are usually quick. The fee is generally between $US 2-5 per hour.

Internet speeds:

4G and fixed-internet speeds in Argentina are still low compared to other regions. However, almost 4 out of 10 internet connections in Argentine homes exceed 100 Mbps.

To stay connected to the internet while traveling in Argentina, you can:

• Activate a SIM card from a local provider.
• Provide the required information, such as a passport photo, accommodation address, and duration of your stay.
• Receive details about the plans offered.

Post:

The postal service is generally reliable, but airmail is expensive.

WEATHER & CLIMATE

Subtropical in the north, temperate in the centre and cold in the south, Argentina’s climate varies widely. The Andes region is hot with high rainfall and flooding in summer but is temperate the rest of the year despite an occasional hot wind called the Zonda. The lowlands have a distinct winter dry season, and the summer can get very hot. Patagonia is cooler and often windy. Most rainfall is on the Chilean side due to the prevailing winds. In the far south it gets very cold; there is enough ice to form the largest glaciers outside Antarctica.

Buenos Aires: (approx) 

Puerto Iguazu: (approx)

Ushuaia: (approx)  

MEALS

Approximate costs for meals and snacks not included are shown below:

• Simple snack - $US 10
• Basic 3 course meal - $US 18 per person  
• Fancy restaurant - $US 35 – 50 per person

FOOD
Local specialties are basically a mixture of Spanish and Italian. Argentineans are great carnivores, and the beef is some of the best anywhere; you should visit a parrilla (steak house) at least once. The asado is a traditional barbecue with a whole carcass grilled over a charcoal pit. Breakfast is typically continental, but lunches are large, and dinner is usually held late at night. There are many places to buy snacks in between, such as empanada, pizza or churros, a kind of doughnut.

DRINKS 

Wines are very good and inexpensive. Local distilleries produce their own brands of most well-known spirits. Whiskies and gins are excellent, as are classic and local wines. Quilmes is a popular brand of beer, as is Isenbeck. There are many varieties of fruit juice available, and coffee is always strong and freshly brewed. Other carbonated soft drinks are widely available.

WATER

Tap water is generally considered safe in main cities and towns, especially in Buenos Aires, but otherwise bottled water is recommended. If bottled water is unavailable, then boil water for over a minute before drinking.

SUGGESTED TIPPING SCALE

Tipping in Argentina has become a way of life, and hotels and restaurants in tourist areas have even become a little more regulated when it comes to what has been traditionally a thorny issue. It is a way of showing your appreciation and will be welcomed by the recipient, although if you decide not to tip in a particular circumstance, this doesn’t mean you’ll receive a lower level of service. Ultimately, tipping is discretionary and should be done at a level that feels comfortable.

Here are some guidelines that you may find helpful:

HEALTH & MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES

As a general recommendation, it is advisable to check with your family doctor or travel clinic for latest health information.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance. Your home country health plan may only provide limited coverage while traveling outside of the country. Indus Travels can offer you a complete travel insurance package. Some credit cards do offer travel insurance; however, they do not always provide adequate coverage. Review and understand the terms of your credit card insurance policy. Extra travel insurance can be purchased. Most insurance companies do have exclusions in their coverage. Pre-existing medical conditions are not insurable.