Argentina Travel Guide

Passports

Country	Passport Required	Visa Required	Return Ticket Required
Other EU	Yes	No/1	Yes
USA	Yes	No	Yes
Canadian	Yes	No/1	Yes
Australian	Yes	No	Yes
British	Yes	No	Yes

Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in chart above. The minimum passport validity is equivalent to the time granted by the immigration authorities.

Visas

Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for either business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days (extensions for a further 90 days are possible for some nationals; contact the consulate for details), except:
1. Canadian nationals and nationals of some EU countries (Austria, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain) who require a visa if they intend to travel for business purposes only.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Important Addresses).

Reciprocity fees
Travelers from the USA, Canada and Australia entering the country via Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires are required to pay a fee.

Citizens from the USA: USD$131
Canadians: USD$70*
Australians: USD$100*

The fee can be paid in pesos or US Dollars.

Travel Warnings

Most visits to Argentina are trouble-free.

There are occasional outbreaks of social unrest, and tourists are advised to avoid demonstrations.

There is an underlying threat from international terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers.

The most frequent incidents of crime involve distraction theft, bag snatching and armed robberies in the street, in taxis and in restaurants. Distraction thefts commonly occur in public areas such as internet cafés, train and bus stations.

Keep a close eye on personal possessions and bags at all times. Con-men have been known to rob tourists while an accomplice pretends to help remove ketchup or mustard that has been 'accidentally' sprayed on them.

Another common occurrence is the slitting of handbags in crowded places. Be particularly attentive in popular tourist areas, such as San Telmo. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or wearing ostentatious jewelry.

Kidnappings and so called 'express kidnappings' - short-term, opportunistic abductions, aimed at extracting cash from the victim - do occur in Argentina. Victims of express kidnapping are normally selected at random and held while criminals empty their bank accounts with their cash cards. Once the ransom is paid the victim is usually quickly released. It is also common for thefts to take place when withdrawing cash from ATMs. Be alert at all times. Avoid isolated or poorly lit areas at night.

There has been an increase in crime by taxi drivers. When traveling by taxi we advise that, whenever possible, you book in advance. If it is not possible to book in advance and you need to hail a taxi, you should take care only to hail a 'radio taxi'. The only noticeable difference between radio taxis and others is that they have a clearly visible company logo on the rear passenger doors of the vehicle. Avoid hailing any taxi that does not display a logo. If you are being met at the airport and you do not know your greeter, ensure you confirm their identity before accepting a lift. Alternatively use a "remise" service from the official stand in the center of the arrivals concourse.

If you are robbed, inform the local police - a police report will be required by your insurers and by the Embassy if you need a new passport. In Buenos Aires, a 24-hour police helpline in English is available on telephone number 101, to help victims. There is also a new multi-lingual free phone number for tourist assistance: 0800 999 5000. This goes through to the Tourist Police Station.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: www.state.gov

Health Care

Medical insurance is highly recommended as there are no reciprocal health agreements. Medical facilities are generally of a high standard, though of varying quality outside Buenos Aires. Immediate cash payment is often expected by doctors.

Vaccinations

Vaccination	Special Precaution
Diphtheria	Yes
Hepatitis A	Yes
Malaria	No*
Rabies	Yes**
Tetanus	Yes
Typhoid	Yes
Yellow Fever	No

Special Notes

* Argentina is a low risk area for malaria and instances are limited to northern lowlands in the Jujuy, Salta, Corrientes and Misiones provinces. Protection against mosquito bites should be enough, but chloroquine can be used as an extra precautionary measure.

** Recommended if visiting jungle or remote rural areas. If bitten, seek medical advice without delay.