Transport

All airlines flying to Argentina arrive mainly at Ezeiza (“Ministro Pistarini”) International Airport, which is 37 Km away from the City of Buenos Aires. You can reach the city by Teniente General Ricchieri freeway (Information: Tel. 5480-6111). When leaving the country, a US$ 18 tax must be paid. Company Manuel Tienda León (Av. Madero and San Martín, Tel. 4315-5115) offers a bus service from 5.00 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. This service costs between $ 25 and $ 27 (Argentine pesos), and the trip takes approximately 40 minutes. There are also taxis and chauffeur-driven rented cars (from $ 53 to $ 72).

When to travel

the southern hemisphere seasons are the opposite to those in the northern hemisphere. In general, the summer is the best time to visit Patagonia and the Southern Andes because of the mild temperatures and long days. Wintertime is recommended for travelling to the North and Northwest as rains are less frequent and tropical temperatures drop a few degrees. Autumn and spring are marvelous in Buenos Aires, Cuyo and the pre-mountain range areas of La Rioja and Catamarca.

Documents and formalities

Valid passport with or without visa depending on your nationality. Inquire at the closest Embassy or Consulate. Visitors coming from countries not bordering Argentina are exempt from all taxes on travelling articles and new articles up to US$ 300 and an additional US$ 300, if purchased at duty free shops within the national territory. No vaccination certificate is required to enter the country.

Tourist information

National Secretariat of Tourism, Tourist Information Centers: Av. Santa Fe 883, (C1059ABC) Buenos Aires, Tel. 4312-2232 or 0800-555-0016; Ezeiza International Airport and Jorge Newbery Airport; info@turismo.gov.ar.
Buenos Aires Information Centres: Av. Pte. Quintana 596 (Recoleta), Retiro Bus Station (Local 83), Florida 100. Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 200 (Dock 4, Puerto Madero), Defensa 1250 (San Telmo); infobue@buenosaires.gov.ar.

Adventure

Argentina offers an array of possibilities for you to enjoy its best asset— nature. Adventurous and daring travelers find here everything they want to go climbing, hiking, horseback riding, hanggliding, paragliding, powered or unpowered glider flying, hot air ballooning, rafting, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing and scuba-diving.

Rural

A genuinely argentine experience and one that reflects our traditions and culture in their original atmosphere. There are a lot of "estancias" in Argentina offering many options for the tourist mainly located in the province of Buenos Aires and in Patagonia although there are other such rural establishments in the Northwest, Northeast and Central Region of the country. Each region has its own characteristics depending on scenery, ranch size, architectural style and type of food. Services available are many from accommodation in ranch houses to hayrides and participation in daily farm chores such as dairy and grain production, and the breeding of cattle, sheep, horses, goats, among others.

Helth

Between the sea and the mountains is a privileged natural environment. Argentina offers their visitors thermal water resorts which I ideal for resting and relaxing. They use mineral spring water for curing some diseases, and clay wraps, stress-relieving therapies and beauty treatments are also available.

Golf

Argentina offers golf courses for every taste. Some courses are located in areas surrounded by mountains, others near the sea. You can play golf in the jungle, within the silent forest, surrounded by small hills or in the heart of the big city Links to golf courses in Argentina 

Ski

There are important ski centres with the unique Andes mountain range in the background, specially designed for winter sports lovers. Such centres are distributed in various provinces in the West and South of the country, and surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. These are ideal places to enjoy not only adventure tourism but also wonderful natural resources. Beginners have excellent ski schools with Argentine and foreign professional ski instructors and modern equipment, and experienced skiers may choose ski runs with various difficulty levels to enjoy the most incredible adventure of sliding down on the snow, immersed in silence and with a constant view of incomparable nature

Road 40

Road 40 is the longest and most spectacular road in Argentina.
The magical National Road 40 runs along over 4,900 Km along the feet of the Andes from Cabo Vírgenes (Santa Cruz) to La Quiaca (Jujuy). It goes up from the sea level to almost 5,000 metres. It crosses 236 bridges. It touches 13 big lakes and salts flats. It gives access to 20 National Parks and Reserves. It crosses 18 main rivers. It connects 27 Andean passes.
The RN 40, created in 1935, runs from south to north along 11 provinces of 3 different regions in Argentina. Patagonia

Wine

Argentine wine is one of the magnets that attract foreign visitors the most.
Visiting Mendoza and San Juan's vineyards, where the grapes that are making Argentine wines famous are grown, is a real pleasure for curious tourists or fine wine lovers. By making this circuit, travelers get to know small and big wineries and, guided by artisans and enologists, they can immerse in the secrets of the varietals wine production. Some wineries accommodate tourists in old recycled big houses and farms where they can enjoy the best regional gastronomy and the good wines of the region.

Salta, in the north, is another wine epicenter, where the traditional Cafayate Torrontés (white and aromatic wine) is made, together with a wider and wider red wine variety. The neighboring provinces of Catamarca and La Rioja have their wines -mostly white-, as well.

Patagonian wines from Neuquén and Río Negro are becoming famous for their character. Not only has the marked progression of investments improved the breed of local wines, but it has also brought a large amount of international prizes to the country, many of which for Malbec products, which, as experts say, "are not produced anywhere else better than in Argentina".

Shopping

Silver or alpaca: Gucho knifes, mate vessels and mouth pieces, frames.
Leather work: Lassos and ornaments for horses in plaited leather, bags, key rings, wallets, covers for diaries and notebooks, cigarette cases, clothing.

At the airport you may obtain a VAT reimbursement corresponding to any purchases made within the country for an amount over (per invoice) and in shops operating with the “Global Refund” system.

Although US Dollars and Euros are generally taken everywhere, foreign currencies can be exchanged in banks and authorized bureaus. American Express, VISA, Diners and Master Card are widely accepted. There may be difficulties in changing traveler's check outside Buenos Aires.

Banks and Exchange Bureaus: Mondays to Fridays from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
Business Offices: generally from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and from 2.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Stores: in the big cities from 9.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m., although in the outskirts and the provinces they generally close at midday. Saturdays, from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
Cafés, cake shops and pizzerias: open most of the time except between 2.00 and 6.00 a.m.
Restaurants: lunch is served as from 12.30 p.m. and dinner as from 8.30 hours. Fast-food menus are served in many restaurants at all times.

Tips: 10% of the amount of the check is usually left in cafeterias and restaurants. Doormen, porters, and ushers in cinemas and theatres are also generally tipped.