Surface: 2.776.890 km²
Population: 37.812.817 hab.
Capital: Buenos Aires (16.000.000 hab.)
Local time: GMT-3
Currency: Peso
A European country in South America
This huge country, which reminds so well the gauchos and the tango, has in addition an incredible nature and landscapes: the deserts of the mountains, the Iguazú Falls, the magnificent and desolated Patagonia. And, as if it wasn’t enough, the great Buenos Aires, the capital, a formidable city that surprises for it’s so many for it’s European origins.
As a proof of this just observe the population of Italian, Spanish and English descendents that is significant in the country. It’s the most European country of the continent.
-
The best:
Buenos Aires – Iguazú falls – The Patagonia – Fitz Roy and Aconcagua mountains
Best season to visit:
It is recommended to visit the Patagonia and the Perito Moreno glacier during summer, from December to February. The visit of Iguazú falls is recommended during spring: March, April and June, Just, keep in mind the possibility of heavy rains and keep your valuables waterproof.
Recommendations for a safe trip:
Buenos Aires, main access to enter Argentina, because of its resemblance with Paris or Madrid, can provoke a relative safety feeling. To avoid any displeasure, this first impression must be quickly banished. The insecurity is real in Argentina, especially in the capital and in the big urban centers in which the general level of delinquency remains important without being comparable to other South Americans metropolis.
Even though common sense goes a long way it is highly advised to follow these recommendations below and also keep updated using the homepage of your embassy in Argentina. Also make sure to have a good insurance that covers theft and accidents. Even though the risks of displeasure are many and to be taken seriously, don’t let it limit you when travelling – the time spent in Argentina never left me with the feeling of being insecure, and we were travelling across the nation, using the buses frequently, going to a derby (!) between the two rivalry teams Boca Juniors and River Plate, biking from winery to winery in Mendoza and strolling in the Boca neighbourhood.
1. Violence on the road is the first source of insecurity in Argentina, a country with the world’s record mortality on roads. Lack of training, a maladjusted road network, bad conditions of vehicles, aggressive behaviour, insufficient prevention and repression provoke the death of more than 11 000 persons every year. We recommend you to be particularly prudent in any displacement by road, it is highly recommended not to drive by night.
2. Another source of insecurity is the small and medium delinquency, the authors of theft who are often drug addicts. This delinquency is current in Buenos Aires, as in the cities of province, particularly in Mendoza, even in the rural zones. The thefts without violence a increasing in hotels, restaurants, Internet cafés (locutorios), bars, stations, airports… A particular awareness is recommended in the public places. We advise you to leave the objects of value in safety boxes of hotels (passports, credit cards, money and plane tickets) keeping only a copy of your passport and moving with as limited amount of money as you can.
In Buenos Aires, be aware in the popular Boca neighbourhood in which it is advised not to approach the Caminito, particularly during the days of football matches. The street Florida and San Telmo’s neighbourhood, very frequented by tourists, attract a lot of pickpockets. By night, near the stations of Constitution (prostitution place) and the Retiro (close from the Villa miseria 31) are strongly not recommended. Finally, don’t go to the marginal neighbourhoods or ” Villas miserias” of Buenos Aires without being accompanied by someone you know.
3. In Iguazú falls, tourists who will go to this very frequented region should be alert during their stay in the Brazilian part. Thefts are frequent there. It is strongly recommended to the travellers who circulate by their own means not to pass the border by night with destination to Brazil or Paraguay with local taxis. The consumption of hard drugs has increased considerably. Which has generated an increase of aggressions, sometimes for a few coins. These aggressions are generally the result of people reacting under the effect of narcotics, particularly impulsive.
A special line for urgencies centralizing calls towards one of the police stations of the tourism of the federal Argentinean police has been opened for the attention of the tourists: 0800.999.5000 (free and accessible call in the whole country, the attention is in several languages 24 hours, 7 days of the week). Another urgency number in Buenos Aires: 911.
4. For the extreme sports fans, Argentina offers numerous opportunities. Nevertheless, the particular conditions due to the topography or to the climate need a suitable preparation. The safety in mountain and in sea is first of all an individual responsibility.
Mountain climbing is exhausting and dangerous, Argentinean summits are much higher than in Europe or North America. The ascension of Aconcagua, summit of the Americas, of easy appearance, attracts every year more tourists sometimes not well trained.
If you’re thinking in climbing the Aconcagua or the Fitz Roy, you have to be prepared physically. Do not neglect the possibility of acquiring an insurance, which will have to cover you even over 5 thousand meters high (not all insurances do it).
For more information about Aconcagua:
Subsecretaria de Turismo
San Martín 1143
5500 Mendoza;
tel.: (54 261) 420.2800/2458/2357/2656;
fax.: (54 261) 420.2243
Agencia consular de Mendoza
Houssay 790, 5500 Mendoza;
tel./fax.: (54 261) 423.1542/423.4023/429.8339;
mail: pburlot@infovia.com.ar
For more information about Fitz Roy : www.losglaciares.com
5. The Andes mountain chain is a seismic zone. Earthquakes are frequent and ranged between 5 and 7 for the Richter scale. Mendoza and it’s region, as Ushuaïa, are classified on the red zone. If you’re considereing to go there, it is advised to be informed about the recommendations ” In case of earthquake” on the site www.ariane.int.ar
6. Be careful with the criminal use of a drug, locally called Burundanga. Mixed to a drink, food or inhaled (for example on a scarf), it causes blackout.
Transports
1. On the road, the number of dead and injured people places Argentina at the top countries for major road insecurity. The strongest prudence is recommended if you take the Argentine highways that have most of the time only two routes, which multiplies the risks of frontal collisions. The highways are generally asphalted surfaces in good condition, on the mail main axes. The rest of the network is constituted by “rubble”, roads not asphalted, more or less repaired from time to time, on which it is necessary to drive very carefully, the risk of loss of control of the vehicle is high.
In Buenos Aires, the traffic is very dense and dangerous due to the behaviours of the drivers. To move in the city, it is preferable to take the public transportation (bus, train, subway) or radio taxi, get a parking on the downtown is practically impossible. The insurance of vehicles is mandatory and expensive. EL ALCA (Motor Argentine Club) proposes a good coverage and numerous services (mechanical assistance) and preferences (hotels) in the country. Tel.: 4802 0827.
2. The railway inter-city networks practically non-existent and has been replaced by buses or combis, widely used by the Argentineans, often very comfortable and cheap. They link the main cities of the country and some big cities of South America. Buenos Aires enjoys a good network of suburban trains.
3. The air transportation for interior flights is not characterized for its great regularity: numerous delays, even cancelled flights. It is recommended to the passengers who must leave Argentina to travel to Buenos Aires one day before their return flight.
The main airline company for interior flights is AEROLINEAS ARGENTINAS. This company, which has not small fleet, has problems of delay and last minute cancellations. These dysfunctions are frequent and are generally accompanied by a terrible management of the information destined to the blocked passenger. Other companies exist, such as LAN ARGENTINA. Though they offer a less dense network, they seem to work better and to be respectful of the traveller. The links between the capital and the principal state cities are frequent. For any company, the flights that linked the different cities are few.
Discussion
No comments for “Argentina”