buenos aires
TIME ZONE
GMT+3
GENERAL
Buenos Aires, known as the “Paris of South America”, lives up to its nickname with an overwhelming café culture, grand boulevards, and food scene to rival its European counterpart.
The city is the second largest in South America and is a hot spot for those who love music, food, dancing, and just all-around beautiful people. Visiting Buenos Aires is an incredible experience. Here you’ll find history, beautiful architecture, verdant parks, quirky book stores, and fantastic nightlife.
GEOGRAPHY
The city of Buenos Aires is located at the north-eastern edge of the flat plain known as the Pampas, which occupies the agricultural heartland of Argentina. It is situated at the point where the Paraná River delta widens to become the Río de la Plata estuary. The eastern and northern limits of the metropolitan area are defined by the Río de la Plata, and the city’s most prominent physical characteristics are the numerous small rivers that flow through its periphery. The centre of the city lies on a bluff overlooking the Río de la Plata, and to the south flows a small river, the Riachuelo, the banks of which mark the other higher ground in the city. The rest of the city is laid out on the floodplains of the rivers, virtually without significant elevations
LANGUAGE
The official language is Spanish however French is also spoken.
CURRENCY
The Argentinian Peso is the currency (abbreviation is $). Cash can easily be exchanged in hotels, authorised banks and travel agencies. International credit cards are accepted in most hotels, shops and restaurants. The exchange rate varies and must be checked at the hotel front-desk.
WEATHER
February is the second warmest month in Argentina. Temperatures range from 23˚C and 31˚C with high levels of humidity.
HEALTH AND VACCINATIONS:
We strongly encourage you to discuss any required vaccinations for your travel with your GP.
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Argentina
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Yellow Fever
- Rabies
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
Comprehensive travel insurance is compulsory and a copy of your policy must be provided to CWT M&E.
CWT M&E are offering all AHA Study tour attendees 20% off travel insurance. Please email AHA@cwt-me.com or call 1300781 011 for a quote.
The standard of private medical facilities and care in major cities is comparable to Australia. Public facilities, particularly in regional and rural areas vary in standard. Costs for medical treatment are very high, especially for treatment at private medical facilities. Payment for medical services is expected at the time of treatment. However, private hospitals may seek confirmation of insurance cover or seek a guarantee of payment before admitting a patientIf you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 911 and ask for an ambulance.
FOOD AND DRINK:
Sanitation and hygiene at restaurants is relatively high, and tap water is generally safe to drink throughout the country.
VISAS:
Australian passport holders travelling to Argentina for a holiday do not need a visa to enter the country. If you're planning on working or studying for more than 90 days in the country you'll need to apply for a visa in advance from an Embassy or Consulate of Argentina
Other entry & exit formalities
Entering Argentina is straightforward; immigration officials at airports are generally quick and to the point, while those at border crossings may take more time scrutinizing your documents and belongings.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Argentine officials are generally courteous and reasonable toward tourists. Electronic items, including laptops, cameras and cell (mobile) phones, can be brought into the country duty free, provided they are not intended for resale. If you have a lot of electronic equipment, however, it may be useful to have a typed list of the items you are carrying (including serial numbers) or a pile of purchase receipts.