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GETTING TO ARGENTINA
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).
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 $ 45 (Argentine
pesos), and the trip takes approximately 40 minutes. There are also taxis and
chauffeur-driven rented cars (from $ 98 to $ 145).
WHEN TO TRAVEL
Remember that in 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.
GETTING AROUND
By Plane
Due to the country’s large size, planes are best to travel long distances, and
you can then take overland transportation to get to your final destination.
Buying Airpass Visit Argentina in your own country, you’ll obtain more
economical prices for flights within Argentina. por Aerolíneas Argentinas /
Austral, Andes Líneas Aéreas, LADE, LAER, LAN Argentina and Sol Líneas Aéreas
operate domestic flights. Domestic flights and flights to Uruguay depart from
Jorge Newbery Airport, located to the north of the city beside the Río de la
Plata.
Domestic flights schedule from Buenos Aires to:
San Salvador
de Jujuy |
|
Salta |
|
San Miguel
de Tucumán |
|
Puerto
Iguazú |
|
Posadas |
|
Rosario |
|
Mendoza |
|
Córdoba |
|
Mar del
Plata |
|
San Carlos
de Bariloche |
|
Trelew |
|
Río Gallegos |
|
El Calafate |
|
Ushuaia |
|
By Bus
Buenos Aires bus station is located at Av. Ramos Mejia 1680 close to Retiro
Station (Tel. 4310-0700). Long-distance buses are equipped with toilets, air
conditioning and bar.
Distances from Buenos Aires:
Bahia Blanca |
660 |
Km |
Rosario |
306 |
Km |
Cafayate
|
1.703 |
Km |
Salta
|
1.605 |
Km
|
Córdoba
|
710 |
Km |
San Antonio
de Areco |
114 |
Km
|
Corrientes |
1.074 |
Km
|
San Carlos
de Bariloche |
1.627 |
Km
|
El Calafate |
2.681 |
Km
|
San Fernando
del Valle de Catamarca |
1.185 |
Km
|
Esquel |
2.050 |
Km
|
San Juan |
1.119 |
Km
|
Formosa |
1.181 |
Km
|
San Luis |
820 |
Km
|
Humahuaca |
1.782 |
Km
|
San Martín
de los Andes |
1.607 |
Km
|
La Plata |
52 |
Km
|
San Miguel
de Tucumán |
1.310 |
Km
|
La Rioja |
1.168 |
Km
|
San Rafael
|
999 |
Km
|
Luján |
64 |
Km
|
San Salvador
de Jujuy |
1.654 |
Km
|
Mar del
Plata |
410 |
Km
|
Santa Fe |
476 |
Km |
Mendoza
|
1.037 |
Km
|
Santa Rosa |
607 |
Km |
Neuquén |
1.156 |
Km
|
Santiago del
Estero |
1.150 |
Km |
Paraná |
495 |
Km
|
Termas de
Río Hondo |
1.150 |
Km |
Pinamar
|
401 |
Km
|
Tigre
|
33 |
Km |
Posadas |
1.060 |
Km
|
Trelew |
1.436 |
Km |
Puerto
Iguazú |
1.346 |
Km
|
Ushuaia |
3.171 |
Km |
Puerto
Madryn |
1.382 |
Km
|
Viedma |
970 |
Km |
Rawson |
1.441 |
Km |
Valle de Las
Leñas |
1.218 |
Km |
Resistencia |
1.019 |
Km |
Villa Gesell |
416 |
Km |
Río Gallegos
|
2.630 |
Km |
Villa La
Angostura |
1.695 |
Km |
Río Grande
|
2.850 |
Km |
|
|
|
By Train
Ferrobaires (Constitución Station, Tel. 4304-0028/31/38); TBA (Retiro Station,
Tel. 4317-4407/45); Ferrocentral (Retiro Station, Tel. 4312-2989); Trenes del
Litoral (Federico Lacroze Station, Tel. 4554-8018).
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).
You may obtain a VAT reimbursement to any purchases of local products made for
an amount over $70 (per invoice) in shops operating with the “Global Refund”
system, as follows:
-
Jorge Newbery
Airport (in Buenos Aires), at Telecom telephone booths.
-
Ministro
Pistarini International Airport - Ezeiza, Terminal A, 1st Floor.
-
Ministro
Pistarini International Airport - Ezeiza, Terminal B, Ground Floor.
-
Jorge Newbery
Airport (in Buenos Aires), at Telecom telephone booths.
-
Ing. Ambrosio
Taravella International Airport (in Córdoba), at Telecom telephone booths.
-
Ing. Francisco
J. Gabrielli International Airport (in Mendoza), at Telecom telephone booths.
-
Bariloche
International Airport, at Telecom telephone booths.
-
Tancredo Neves
International Bridge (in Puerto Iguazú), at Telecom telephone booths.
-
Buenos Aires
Port, Northern Dock, Buquebús Terminal, information desk.
-
Buenos Aires
Port, New Port, Quinquela Martín Cruising Terminal, from October to April.
Payment methods
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.
Opening hours
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.
GENERAL INFORMATION
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.
Telephone
Pay phones work with cards that may be purchased in kiosks and telephone
companies’ offices, or with legal tender coins. There are also stores with pay
phones (open 24 hours a day) where you can pay in cash.
Calling to Argentina from abroad, dial the country code (54) and then the area
code of the place you want to call. For domestic calls, dial 0 before the area
code. For international calls, dial 00, the country code and city code.
Note that tariffs are reduced from 10.00 p.m. to 8.00 a.m.
Maps
Maps may be purchased at the offices of the Automóvil Club Argentino (Av. del
Libertador 1850, Tel. 4808-4000, Buenos Aires,
cartogra@aca.org.ar).
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.
Security Prevention and Tourist Assistance:
Comisaría del Turista: Av. Corrientes 436, (C1043AAR) Buenos Aires. Tel.
4346-5748, 4328-2135 ó 0800-999-5000, e-mail:
turista@policiafederal.gov.ar.
Defensoría del Turista: Av. Pedro de Mendoza 1835 (Museo de Bellas Artes de La
Boca "Don Benito Quinquela Martín"), (C1169AAC) Buenos Aires. Tel. 4302-7816,
Fax: 4302-7816, e-mail:
turista@defensoria.org.ar.
INTERESTIN FACTS
The name Argentina
It comes from the Latin term “argentum”, which means silver. The origin of this
name goes back to the first voyages made by the Spanish conquerors to the Río de
la Plata. The survivors of the shipwrecked expedition mounted by Juan Díaz de
Solís found indigenous people in the region who gave them silver objects as
presents. The news about the legendary Sierra del Plata - a mountain rich in
silver - reached Spain around 1524. As from this date, the Portuguese named the
river of Solís, Río de la Plata (River of Silver). Two years later the Spanish
used the same name. The National Constitution adopted in 1853 included the name
“República Argentina” (Argentine Republic) among the official names to designate
the government and the country’s territory.
Location, area and frontiers
Located in South America, and thus, in the southern hemisphere, Argentina has an
area of almost 3.8 million square kilometers, 2.8 on the continent –
approximately 54% are plains (grasslands and savannahs), 23%, plateaus, and the
other 23%, mountains - and the remainder in the Antarctic. It is 3,800 Km. long
and is located between latitude 22º and 55º. Its border with Uruguay, Brazil,
Paraguay, Bolivia and Chile has a perimeter of 9,376 Km, while the territory
bordered by the Atlantic Ocean is 4,725 Km long.
Geography
Argentina’s main characteristic is the enormous contrast between the immense
eastern plains and the impressive Andes mountain range to the west. This is the
frontier with Chile and boasts the highest peak in the Western hemisphere: the
6,959 m high Aconcagua.
From Jujuy to Tierra del Fuego, the Andes present marvelous contrasts: the
Northwest plateaus, the lake region, the forests and glaciers in the Patagonia.
To the north, Chaco is a forested area linked to rivers Bermejo, Salado and
Pilcomayo.
Between the Paraná and Uruguay rivers, the Argentine Mesopotamia (provinces of
Entre Ríos, Corrientes and Misiones) is formed by low hills, where pools and
marshlands evidence the ancient courses of these great rivers. In some places
within the subtropical rain forest, there are fissures which provide such
spectacular phenomena as the Iguazú Falls.
The Pampas, in the center of Argentina, is the largest and best-known area of
plains. Agricultural and livestock activities are performed in this area, which
includes the province of Buenos Aires, the northeast of La Pampa, the south of
Córdoba and south of Santa Fe. To the south, the plains give way to small hills
in Tandil and de la Ventana, and to the west, to the Córdoba hills.
Towards the south, from the Andes to the sea, there appear the sterile and stony
plateaus of Patagonia, swept by the wind during most of the year. The Atlantic
coast, lined with high cliffs, forms massive indentations like the Peninsula
Valdés, with its spectacular and unique colonies of sea animals.
Climate
The country’s territory offers a wide variety of climates: subtropical in the
North, sub-Antarctic in the southern Patagonia, and mild and humid in the Pampas
plains. Media temperature from November to March is 23° C, and 12° C from June
to September.
Population
Argentina’s current population is more than 38 million inhabitants, almost half
of which live in the city and the province of Buenos Aires. Population density
calculated on a national basis is 14 inhabitants per square kilometer
Language
Spanish is the official language of the Argentine Republic. In Buenos Aires,
some “lunfardo” expressions -city slang - are used.
Religion
There is complete religious freedom in Argentina, although Roman Catholicism
prevails. Other religions practiced in the country are Protestant, Jewish,
Moslem, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox and others.
Currency
The official Argentine currency is the Peso. There are bills of 2, 5, 10, 20,
50, and 100 pesos, and coins of 1 peso and 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents.
Constitution and Government
Argentina consists of 23 provinces plus a federal district, the City Buenos
Aires. The Argentine Constitution establishes a Republic under a representative
and federal system, and three separate branches of government: executive,
legislative and judicial.
The executive branch is exercised by the President and Vice-president of the
Nation, elected for a 4-year term, and who may be reelected for a single
additional term. The legislative branch is bicameral: the Senate (composed of
three senators from each province and from the City of Buenos Aires) and the
House of Representatives (composed of representatives elected directly and in
proportion to each district’s population). The judicial branch “is vested in the
Supreme Court and lower courts of justice”.
Each province has adopted its own Constitution in accordance with the National
Constitution, to rule its administration.
The current National Constitution dates from 1853. Nevertheless, it was amended
in 1860, 1898, 1957 and 1994. The last amendment made in August 1994, allows the
President’s reelection for an additional term.
Two historic dates
May 25, 1810. The first "Gobierno Patrio" or National Government Assembly was
constituted.
July 9, 1816. Proclamation of Independence by the “Provincias Unidas del Río de
la Plata”.
National emblems
The Argentine flag has three horizontal stripes: the one in the middle is white
and bears the golden sun, and the two outside stripes are light blue. The
national flower is the ceibo, and the national stone is the manganese spar
(rodocrosita) or "Inca Rose".
Holidays
|
Argentine
national holidays: |
|
January |
|
1St |
|
New
Year |
March |
24 |
National Day of Memory for Truth and Justice |
March/April |
* |
Easter - Good Friday |
April |
2 |
Veterans’ Day and tribute to the fallen in the Malvinas War |
May |
1St |
Labor Day |
May |
25 |
Anniversary of the First Independent Argentine Government |
June |
20*** |
National Flag Day |
July |
9 |
National Independence Day |
August |
17*** |
Anniversary of the death of General José de San Martín |
October |
12** |
Columbus Day |
December |
8 |
Immaculate Conception Day |
December |
25 |
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. |
|
|
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