Useful Argentina Tourism Information

Traveling By Car (Car rental)

All international car rental companies operate in Argentina. The following companies have offices In Buenos Aires: Ai Rent a Car International (Maipú 965, Tel. 4311-1000), ), Alamo Rent a Car - National (Carlos Pellegrini 1175, 1st Floor “C”, Tel. 4322-3320), Avis Rent a Car (Cerrito 1527, Tel. 4326-5542), Budget Rent a Car ((Marcelo T. de Alvear 590, 10th Floor, Tel. 4311-4555), Dollar Rent a Car (M.T. de Alvear 449, Tel. 4315-8800), Hertz - Annie Millet Rent a Car (Paraguay 1138, Tel. 4816-8001), Localiza Rent a Car (Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1180, 2nd Floor, Off. 205 “C”, Tel. 4121-5600), Thrifty Car Rental (Carlos Pellegrini 1576, Loc.24, Tel. 4326-0418).

Travel Health

No vaccinations are required before entry into Argentina. Running water is fit for consumption in most cities, though it’s best to ask first. Public hospitals are open for emergency care 24 hours a day, free of charge. Health care professionals are acknowledged worldwide as exceedingly competent.   

National Holidays

Banks, offices and some businesses will close, but most cinemas and theatres stay open. Tour operators are usually open for business. If a holiday falls on a weekend, or a weekday, the holiday is generally moved to the following or previous Monday.

Argentine national holidays:

Date Description 1 de Enero New Year 24 de Marzo National Day of Memory for Truth and Justice Marzo/Abril Easter - Good Friday 2 de Abril Veterans’ Day and tribute to the fallen in the Malvinas War 1 de Mayo Labor Day 25 de Mayo Anniversary of the First Independent Argentine Government 20 de Junio National Flag Day 9 de Julio National Independence Day 17 de Agosto Anniversary of the death of General José de San Martín 12 de Octubre Columbus Day 8 de Diciembre Columbus Day 25 de Diciembre 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.

Time Zones

The time zone is GMT -3 hours. At present, Daylight Saving is not in use in the summer months. In some provinces, Daylight Saving is in use in winter.
City life is hectic; people in most cities are late to bed and early to rise.

Phone Services and Internet Access

The existing telecoms networks provide pay pone services throughout Argentina. Pay phones can be operated with 25-cent, 50-cent and one peso coins. Calling cards are available at any kiosk or shop.
Pay phone shops (called locutorios) are widespread, providing pay phone services and Internet access.
An hour’s worth of Internet Access goes from USD 0.50 to 1.00 at a pay phone shop.
Many coffee shops and stores have expanded their services to free wi-fi internet access.

Currency

The Argentinean currency is the Argentinean Peso ($ar). There are $ar 100, $ar 50, $ar20, $ar10, $ar5 and $ar2 bills, and $ar 1, $ar 0.50, $ar 0.25 and $ar 0.10 cent coins.
The American dollar and the euro are the most common international currencies. They can be exchanged in banks or exchange shops by showing the passport. Credit cards and dollars are accepted in most shops (we recommend to consult anyway).

Exchange rates

In 2014 the dollar is worth between $ar 8.50 (official exchange) and $ar 12.00 (non official). The euro between $ar 11.35 (official exchange) and $ar 14 (non official exchange).

VAT and Tax Free shopping

VAT (Value Added Tax) is 21%. For tax free shopping, customers must keep their receipts and fill in a form available at an International Airport.

Electricity

Power supply: 220V, 50HzHz. Plugs may have two circular metal pins (Australian-style) or two flat angled blades and one vertical grounding blade (European-style). Carrying a plug adaptor is advised.

Consulates and Embassies

Click here to see the list of foreign diplomatic representations in Argentina.