Argentina

Argentina is a mighty South American country almost 3500km in length from neighbouring Bolivia in the north to Cabo San Pio, its most southerly tip. Nature is raw and energetic here from the Iguazu Fall in the northeast to the Glacier Perito Moreno in the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. Adventure seekers will be in heaven here with magnificent hiking, biking and horse-riding trails both on the pampas and Patagonia. But of course the tango rules in Argentina and the capital, Buenos Aires, known as the Paris of the Pampas, is the place to catch a show or take a lesson. This city has a vibrant European feel and some fabulous restaurants where a juicy steak is a must.

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Argentina has a vastly varied climate. The north is subtropical and the far south is sub arctic. Buenos Aires and the central area has a temperate climate. In mid summer (December to February) it’s hot with high humidity. Most rains also fall during the summer though it can rain any time of year. Patagonia in the far south has extreme winters (June to August) and up to 18 hours per day of sunshine in mid summer.

Transport

Getting around

Several major Argentine airlines attempt to make this big country appear smaller. In some cases (if you are, for instance, in Patagonia), flying can be cheaper than covering the same distance by bus.

Long-distance buses are fast, comfortable and affordable; some provide on-board snacks or meal services and all have bathrooms. If traveling long distances you can take an overnight bus and save on a hotel stay.

For many years there were major reductions in long-distance train service in Argentina, but recent years have seen some rail lines being reopened. A good source for the latest information is www.seat61.com.

Getting there and away

Argentina has direct flights between countries including North America, the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Italy, Spain and South Africa, and from all South American countries except the Guianas. Alternatively, you can fly to a neighboring country, such as Chile or Brazil, and continue overland to Argentina.

A multitude of land and river crossing points connect Argentina with neighboring Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Chile. Travel from Chile usually involves going over the Andes, while overland travel to Bolivia can mean journeying through the border towns of La Quiaca, Tarija or Pocitos/Yacuiba. Paraguay can be reached by bus and/or river launch, and the most common crossing to Brazil is via Foz do Iguaçu or Uruguaiana. Uruguay is linked to Argentina by road bridges, and frequent ferries sail between Buenos Aires and Colonia in Uruguay.

Health & Legal Requirements

Dangers and annoyances

For tourists, Argentina is one of the safest countries in Latin America. This isn't to say you should skip down the street drunk with your money belt strapped to your head, but with a little common sense, you can visit Argentina's big cities as safely as you could London, Paris or New York. That said, crime has been on the rise.

Bus terminals are the most common places tourists become separated from their possessions. For the most part bus terminals are safe, as they're usually full of families traveling and saying goodbyes, but they're also prime grounds for bag-snatchers. Always keep an eagle eye on your goods. This is especially true in Buenos Aires' Retiro station. Other places to be wary are tourist destinations and sidewalk cafe or restaurant tables.

Street protests have become part of daily life in Argentina, especially in Buenos Aires' Plaza de Mayo area, so it's wise to be aware of current political events. Generally these have little effect on tourists other than blocking traffic or making it impossible to see Buenos Aires' Plaza de Mayo and the Casa Rosada (where protests occur almost weekly). The country has many gremios or sindicatos (trade unions), and it seems like one of them is always on strike. Transportation unions sometimes go on strike, which can affect travelers directly by delaying domestic flights and bus services. It's always a good idea to keep your eye on the news before traveling.

Being a pedestrian in Argentina is perhaps one of the country's more difficult ventures. Many Argentine drivers jump the gun when the traffic signal is about to change to green, drive extremely fast and change lanes unpredictably. Even though pedestrians at corners and crosswalks have legal right of way (ha!), very few drivers respect this and will hardly slow down when you are crossing. Be especially careful of buses, which can be reckless and, because of their large size, particularly painful.

Visas overview

Nationals of the USA, Canada, most Western European countries, Australia and New Zealand do not need visas to visit Argentina. In theory, upon arrival all non-visa visitors must obtain a free tourist card, good for 90 days and renewable for 90 more. In practice, immigration officials issue these only at major border crossings, such as airports and on the ferries and hydrofoils between Buenos Aires and Uruguay. Although you should not toss your card away, losing it is no major catastrophe; at most exit points, immigration officials will provide immediate replacement for free.

Very short visits to neighboring countries usually do not require visas. Despite what a travel agency might say, you probably don't need a Brazilian visa to cross from the Argentine town of Puerto Iguazú to Foz do Iguaçu and/or Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, if you return the same day. You should bring your passport, however, and double check this information - ideally with someone who has done it recently.