Embassy in New Zeland

Tourism in Argentina

Updated date: 06/01/2013

 Tourism in Argentina

 

Mt. Fitzroy, Patagonia

Argentina is a land of enchanting landscapes, from the lush tropical rainforests in the north, to the windswept plains of Patagonia. Whether getting up close and personal to the beautiful waterfalls in Iguazú, touring the vineyards of Mendoza sampling the goods as you go, trekking the evergreen forests of the Lake District or playing the gaucho in the fertile Pampas, Argentina provides wonderful and memorable adventures with something for everyone.

When to go?

Argentina shares its position with New Zealand as a fellow Southern Hemisphere nation and therefore its seasons are experienced at the same time. In general, the summer is the best time to visit Patagonia and the South 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 beautiful in Buenos Aires, Cuyo and the pre-mountain range areas of La Rioja and Catamarca. Argentina has the highest standard of living in the region, with a comprehensive technical, transport and services infrastructure.

Getting there

Some of the best deals to Argentina are offered by Aerolíneas Argentinas which is Argentina's national carrier, which currently flies from Australia direct to Buenos Aires.

To get to other destinations in Argentina, such as Río Gallegos, Ushuaia and El Calafate, you would have to look at purchasing an add-on fare or air pass from either of these two citites.

If you plan to do a fair amount of travelling within Argentina (or to other South American countries), you may want to think about buying an air pass with your main ticket. These passes offer substantial savings, but can be bought only outside South America with your international ticket.

Getting around

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. Domestic flights and flights to Uruguay depart from Jorge Newbery Airport, located to the north of Buenos Aires beside the Río de la Plata.

Domestic flights schedule from Buenos Aires to:

San Salvador de Jujuy- 2 hrs 10 mins

Salta- 2 hrs

San Miguel de Tucumán-1 hr 50 mins

Puerto Iguazú- 1 hr 45 mins

Posadas- 1 hr 30 mins

Rosario- 52 mins

Mendoza- 1 hr 50 mins

Córdoba- 1 hr 15 mins

Mar del Plata-  45 mins

San Carlos de Bariloche- 2 hrs 20 mins

Trelew- 2 hrs

Río Gallegos- 2 hrs 55 mins

El Calafate- 3 hrs 15 mins

Ushuaia- 3 hrs 20 mins

By Bus

Buenos Aires bus station is located at Av. Ramos Mejia 1680 close to Retiro Station. Long-distance buses are equipped with toilets, air conditioning and bar.

Distances from Buenos Aires:

Bahia Blanca - 660Km

Rosario- 306Km

Cafayate- 1.703Km

Salta-1.605Km

Córdoba- 710Km

San Antonio de Areco- 114Km

Corrientes- 1.074Km

San Carlos de Bariloche-1.627Km

El Calafate- 2.681Km

San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca- 1.185Km

Esquel- 2.050Km

San Juan- 1.119Km

Formosa- 1.181Km

San Luis- 820Km

Humahuaca-1.782Km

San Martín de los Andes-1.607Km

La Plata- 52Km

San Miguel de Tucumán- 1.310Km

La Rioja- 1.168Km

San Rafael- 999Km

Luján- 64Km

San Salvador de Jujuy- 1.654 Km

Mar del Plata- 410Km

Santa Fe- 476Km

Mendoza- 1.037Km

Santa Rosa- 607Km

Neuquén- 1.156Km

Santiago del Estero-1.150Km

Paraná- 495Km

Termas de Río Hondo- 1.150Km

Pinamar- 401 Km

Tigre- 33Km

Posada- 1.060Km

Trelew- 1.436Km

Puerto Iguazú- 1.346Km

Ushuaia- 3.171Km

Puerto Madryn- 1.382Km

Viedma- 970Km

Rawson-1.441Km

Valle de Las Leñas- 1.218Km

Resistencia- 1.019Km

Villa Gesell- 416Km

Río Gallegos- 2.630Km

Villa La Angostura-1.695Km

Río Grande- 2.850Km

Shopping & VAT return

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.

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 bill is usually left in cafeterias and restaurants. Doormen, porters, and ushers in cinemas and theatres are also generally tipped.

Electricity

The electrical system in Argentina is 220 Volts and frequency 50 Hertz. If you have electrical applicances for 110 volts you can purchase adaptors in specialised stores.

Public Holidays

To see a list of the public holidays in Argentina please visit:

http://www.mininterior.gov.ar/asuntos_politicos_y_alectorales/dinap/feriados.php

Tourist Assistance

The City of Buenos Aires has a free toll line (0800 999 283887) for tourists that need assistance. Assistance is provided for national and foreign tourists and calls are answered in Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian and French. The complaints handled are for:

• cases of commercial abuse;
• robberies, theft, offences, losses and failure to locate any person;
• non–fulfilment of a contracted service.

Tourism websites

To start planning your trip to Argentina we recommend you consult the following websites which offer useful information on the many things to see and do whilst in our country.

www.argentina.gov.ar

www.turismo.gov.ar

www.iexplore.com

 

 

Fondo argentino de cooperación sur-sur y triangular