Argentina

Last updated: 13 August 2010

Current at: 02 September 2010

TRAVEL INSURANCE

The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends that comprehensive travel insurance, including medical insurance, is obtained before travelling to Argentina. Travellers should note that the Irish government does not provide funds for emergency medical repatriation or for repatriation of remains.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

For entry requirements for Argentina, please contact the nearest Argentinian Embassy or Consulate.

It is advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you. During your stay you should carry a photocopy of your passport at all times.

SAFETY & SECURITY

You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

Argentina has recovered strongly from the economic and political crisis of 2001/02, but there are still occasional outbreaks of social unrest. You are advised to be alert, avoid demonstrations and public gatherings, watch the news and keep in touch with events. You may also encounter groups of demonstrators (piqueteros) blocking major roads into and out of the capital, causing delays and possibly a change in route.

CRIME

Most visits to Argentina are trouble-tree. However, you should keep a close eye on your personal belongings and hold on to them in public places such as internet cafes, train and bus stations. You are advised not to leave items of value in bags or rucksacks placed in overhead racks on overnight long-distance coaches.

Travellers are advised to be particularly vigilant in Retiro bus station in Buenos Aires, on the Buenos Aires underground transport system and in the city of Mendoza where there has been a high incidence of pick-pocketing and bag-snatching recently. More violent crime has been reported recently in the area around San Telmo and La Boca in Buenos Aires. If you must travel to these areas, you should stick to main thoroughfares and avoid carrying valuables.

There are quantities of counterfeit banknotes in circulation in Argentina. The characteristics of non-counterfeit currency can be reviewed at the Argentine Central Bank web site at www.bcra.gov.ar. Taxi drivers, particularly those working from the airport, have been known to accuse customers of handing over fake money and handing them back a fake note which they already have in their possession. When paying drivers you should be extremely vigilant and you should consider noting the serial number of the bill before you hand it to the driver.

If you require a taxi in the street, please ensure that you only hail a radio taxi; these taxis will have a logo on the rear passenger door and often a light or sign on the roof of the car.

A common scam in Buenos Aires is for one thief to spray a sauce on you, which prompts another thief purporting to be in an innocent passer-by, to come to your aid and clean your clothes, while also stealing your possessions.

HEALTH

Argentina is a risk country for dengue fever transmission. The disease is present along the northern border areas with Bolivia and Paraguay, particularly in the provinces of Misiones and Chaco. Travellers at risk are advised to protect themselves against mosquito bites at all times.

The Embassy recommends Yellow Fever vaccination for all travellers over one year of age going to the provinces of Jujuy (departments of Ledesma, Santa Bárbara, San Pedro, and Valle Grande); Salta (departments of Anta, General San Martín, Oran, and Rivadavia); Formosa (all areas); Misiones (all areas), Chaco (department of Bermejo), Corrientes (departments of Berón de Astrada, Capital, General Alvear, General Paz, Itatí, Ituzaingó, Paso de los Libers, San Cosme, San Miguel, San Martín, and San Tomé). This recommendation includes visits to Iguaçu Falls. Note: there is no requirement to present a Yellow Fever booklet to enter the country.

Malaria risk is absent in most of the country, however cases have been reported in: rural areas of the extreme northwestern corner of the country bordering Bolivia, specifically the Province of Salta (northwestern corner) in the departments of Santa Victoria, Iruya, and Orán; Province of Jujuy (southeastern area) in the departments of San Martín, Ledesma, Santa Bárbara and San Pedro; and along the border with Paraguay in the lowland areas of the provinces of Misiones and Corrientes.

LOCAL LAWS & CUSTOMS

You are advised not to become involved with drugs of any kind. Possession of even very small quantities can lead to a minimum four-and-a-half year prison sentence.

ROAD SAFETY

Please be aware that driving and road safety standards in Argentina are not uniform: respect for speed limits and traffic signals is patchy and manoeuvres by fellow road users can be unexpected. Crime against car users, particularly when stationary at traffic lights, is a growing danger to be aware of; in cities it is advisable to keep windows closed and doors locked at all times.