|
|
Visit Argentina Buenos Aires
|
|
|
|
|
General Information about Torism Argentina (more information: http://www.turismo.gov.ar/):
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). Please note
that 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
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. Aerolíneas
Argentinas / Austral, LADE and LAN Argentina 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. Airport taxes range from $ 7.05 to U$S 8.
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 |
Río Grande |
2.850 |
Km |
Cafayate |
1.703 |
Km |
Rosario |
306 |
Km |
Córdoba |
710 |
Km |
Salta |
1.605 |
Km |
Corrientes |
1.074 |
Km |
San Antonio de Areco |
114 |
Km |
El Calafate |
2.681 |
Km |
San Carlos de Bariloche |
1.627 |
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 |
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).
|
SHOPPING
VAT return
At the airport you
may obtain a VAT reimbursement corresponding to any purchases made
within the country for an amount over $70 (per invoice) and in shops
operating with the “Global Refund” system.
Payment methods
Although US
Dollars and Euros are generally taken everywhere, foreign currencies
can be exchanged in banks and authorized bureaus. American Express,
VISA, Diners and Master Card are widely accepted. There may be
difficulties in changing traveler's check outside Buenos Aires.
Opening hours
Banks and
Exchange Bureaus: Mondays to Fridays from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00
p.m.
Business Offices: generally from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and
from 2.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Stores: in the big cities from 9.00
a.m. to 8.00 p.m., although in the outskirts and the provinces they
generally close at midday. Saturdays, from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
Cafés, cake shops and pizzerias: open most of the time except
between 2.00 and 6.00 a.m.
Restaurants: lunch is served as from
12.30 p.m. and dinner as from 8.30 hours. Fast-food menus are served
in many restaurants at all times.
Tips
10% of the amount of the
check is usually left in cafeterias and restaurants. Doormen,
porters, and ushers in cinemas and theatres are also generally
tipped.
|
GENERAL INFORMATION
Documents and formalities
Valid passport with or without visa depending on your
nationality. Inquire at the closest Embassy or Consulate. Visitors
coming from countries not bordering Argentina are exempt from all
taxes on travelling articles and new articles up to US$ 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, ).
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; .
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); .
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: .
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: .
|
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 36 million inhabitants, almost half of which
live in the city and the province of Buenos Aires. Population
density calculated on a national basis is 13 inhabitants per square
kilometer.
95% of the population is white and most are
descendants of Italians and Spaniards. As a result of the massive
European immigration, the white and Indian half-castes were slowly
reduced and at the present they amount only to 4.5% of the
population. The pure indigenous population - Mapuches, Collas,
Tobas, Matacos and Chiriguanos - amount to 0.5% of the
population.
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 the official religion is
Roman Catholic. 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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|