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Argentina: A country of immense beauty and proportions
Tuesday, October 30, 2007 2:47 PM CDT
Its geographic diversity spans the most breathtaking terrain from Antarctica, through the wild, glacier-filled mountains of Patagonia and massive open plains of La Pampas to the deserts and tropical jungles in the north.
The country can be enjoyed for its natural wonders alone, but no visit here could be called complete without stepping into its soul, its capital city. The elegant Buenos Aires is home to 40 percent of the population, and is a buzzing metropolis with a rich, passionate and tortured history that is integral to its character. It is Europe and South America contained in one geographical location, with elements of the unknown around each corner. It is familiar and strange at the same time, but at its very core, wonderfully welcoming. Along the elegant avenues of the fashionable districts, sophisticated diners observe passers-by while they sip strong coffee or enjoy smooth cervezas. There is a constant smell of meat grilling from every corner and sidewalk that reveals the Argentine passion for 'asado'. Neither glamour nor passion is in short supply in this cosmopolitan hub where porteneros are equally versed in football, politics and fashion. There are disparities between the rich and poor, with many people living in near slum conditions in the outskirts of Buenos Aires. Since 1992 the economy has teetered near collapse due to corruption and government mismanagement, prompting regular and sometimes violent demonstrations. However it is business-as-usual as far as tourism is concerned; in fact, the resultant devaluation of the peso has made the country much more affordable for travellers. With so much to see and experience in this exceptional country, most visitors find they need to return for a second rendezvous. Basics Time: Local time is GMT -3. Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Most hotels and offices use the three-pin flat type plug however most older buildings have the two-pin round type. Money: The Argentinean Peso (ARS) is divided into 100 centavos. The recent devaluation of the Peso has made Argentina more affordable for travellers but there is still much economic uncertainty and travellers are advised to keep an eye on the exchange rate. Currency can be exchanged at banks and cambios (bureaux de change) but it is easier to use ATMs, available in most towns, which reflect the current exchange rate. Credit and debit cards are generally accepted, and US Dollars and Euros are generally taken everywhere. Cirrus cards sometimes aren't accepted. There can be problems using travellers cheques in rural areas, although most banks in major cities should accept them. It's best to take travellers cheques in US Dollars to avoid additional exchange rate charges. Currency Exchange Rates ARS 1= US$ 0.32 £ 0.17 C$ 0.38 A$ 0.41 R 2.34 EUR 0.25 NZ$ 0.47 Note: This is not updated daily and should be used as a guide only. Language: Spanish is the official language, however English is understood in the tourist areas. Entry Requirements for Americans: US nationals require a valid passport for travel to Argentina, but no visa is required for stays of up to three months, providing the visit is for touristic purposes only. Entry Requirements for UK nationals: UK nationals require a valid passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months for British Citizens and British Overseas Citizens, provided the stay is for tourist purposes. A visa is not required for a stay of up to one month for British Nationals (Overseas). All other British passport holders require a visa. Entry Requirements for Canadians: Canadians require a valid passport, but no visa for stays up to three months, providing the visit is for touristic purposes only. Entry Requirements for Australians: Australians require a valid passport, but no visa for stays of up to three months, providing the visit is for touristic purposes only. Entry Requirements for South Africans: South African nationals must hold a valid passport, but no visa is required for stays of up to three months, providing the visit is for touristic purposes only. Entry Requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a valid passport, but no visa for stays of up to three months, providing the visit is for touristic purposes only. Passport/Visa Note: It is recommended that all visitors have sufficient funds (at least US$50 per day), as well as onward or return tickets and documents required for next destination. From 23 January 2007 all US citizens travelling to and from Argentina by air will require a valid passport; by 1 January 2008 the requirement will be extended to include all land and sea border crossings as well. Health: There is a low risk of yellow fever, cholera and malaria in some northern provinces, so it is wise to seek your doctor's advice when travelling to these areas. Outbreaks of dengue fever also occur. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended before travel to Argentina. Water is safe to drink in major towns and cities. Medical facilities are good in the major cities. Treatment is expensive, however, and medical insurance is advised. Asthma, sinus and bronchial ailments can be aggravated by pollution in Buenos Aires. Those with specific conditions should bring a sufficient quantity of medical supplies and medicines for the trip. Tipping: A 10% tip is expected at restaurants. Porters expect 50 to 75 cents US per bag. Safety: Although the political and economic crisis is over, there are still periodic outbreaks of social unrest and demonstrations. Visitors are advised to avoid such public gatherings and keep abreast with news to know whether any political unrest is expected. However, there is no specific threat to foreigners and travellers should not be discouraged from travelling throughout the country. Be alert to bag-snatchers, pick-pocketers and con-men, particularly in crowded areas in Buenos Aires, on public transport and in popular tourist haunts, such as San Telmo. Customs: It is an offence for anyone, including children, to wear camouflage clothing. Business: Business people dress well in Argentina and visitors are expected to wear a smart suit. Handshaking is normal. Argentineans are great conversationalists and are interested and knowledgeable about world events, political and sporting. Meetings usually begin with small talk. Use titles when addressing people: Señor (Mr), Señora (Mrs) and Señorita (Miss) followed by their surname. Business culture in Argentina can be bureaucratic and as with most South American countries negotiation and decision making can take a long time and is best done face to face. Make sure you see the right people, as only those in high positions are likely to be able to make a final decision. Business hours are 9am to 5pm in Buenos Aires, with an hour for lunch. Outside the capital it is normal to take a siesta between 1pm and 4pm. Many business people are away on holiday during January and February. Communications: The international access code for Argentina is +54. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). The area code for Buenos Aires is (0)11. Calls are usually made from public call centres, but there are also public telephones that take coins or phone cards, although one usually pays more than the unit value of the card. Mobile phones are increasingly popular; the area code must always be used when phoning a mobile in Argentina. Internet cafes are widely available in Buenos Aires and other popular tourist destinations. Many hotels also offer Internet access. Duty Free: Travellers to Argentina over the age of 18 years can bring in the following items to the value of US$300 without incurring customs duty: 2 litres of alcohol, 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars, and 5 kg of food items. Restrictions apply to fresh foodstuffs such as meat and dairy products. Prohibited items include explosives, inflammable items, narcotics and pornographic material. Firearms and ammunition for sporting purposes are allowed if accompanied by a license/certificate. Activities Mountaineering Argentina is a favoured destination for serious mountain climbers, most intent on conquering one of the highest peaks in the world, Aconcagua, west of Mendoza. Other challenging climbs in the country are the Fitzroy Range in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares in Santa Cruz province, and the Sierra de la Fentana. Official climbing season is between 15 November and 15 March. Aconcagua can be climbed safely only by well-equipped teams who are in excellent physical shape, experienced, and led by expert guides. The various routes up the mountain offer all kinds of technical climbing challenges on rock, ice and snow. Trekking Argentina, with its infinite variety of landscapes and geographic zones, provides plenty of opportunities for those who like to take on nature up close and on foot. Northern Argentina offers unique desert landscapes, lush subtropical rainforest and of course the thunderous Iguazu Falls, on the border with Brazil. At the south of Argentina trekkers are greeted with the awe-inspiring scenery of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. Treks are often combined with cruises through colorful port towns, verdant fjords, and rugged, glacier-topped mountains. The natural beauty of Argentina offers some of the best trekking in the world and numerous tour operators organise expeditions throughout the country. Skiing The eastern slopes of the Andes are becoming increasingly popular with those seeking exhiliarating skiing. Ski season in Argentina runs from June to September, with July and August bringing the most crowds to the resorts along with almost certain fresh snowfalls. Snow conditions vary from year to year, but there is usually excellent powder snow. Most prestigious of the resorts for downhill skiing is Las Lenas, which once hosted the World Cup. The oldest resort, Bariloche, offers good apres ski and beautiful views of the Nahuel Huapi region. Ushuaia offers fantastic cross-country skiing. Rafting Argentina offers some wonderful white-water rafting opportunities, ranging from grade 2 through to 4, offering exciting rides through magnificent scenery. One of the most popular routes is on the turbulent Rio Mendoza, cutting through mountain gorges, and on the Rio Manso through the southern part of the Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi. The town of Esquel is also used as a base for rafters wishing to tackle Chile's renowned Rio Futaleufu, with its Grade 5 rapids. Numerous operators offer day trips. Tango Tango emerged from a set of social conditions in Buenos Aires in the 1800s. In those early days it spoke of the hardship, pain and loneliness of the European immigrants who'd left their families and loved ones behind in search of a better life. This seemed elusive for the majority of the male immigrant population who lived mainly on the shores of the Riachuelo and in the impoverished neighbourhoods of southern Buenos Aires. Tango lyrics arose from the mournful love songs and melancholic moments of these times, and with it a dance that expressed much of these sentiments. Men danced with men, and then prostitutes gradually provided the female quota, and so the dance evolved. The Argentine upper classes distanced themselves from the dance because of its associations and it was only after World War II that things changed. Its transformation in the eyes of the elite came about with its celebration on the dance floors of the Parisian ballrooms. Buenos Aires thus gave birth to a dance that has captured the popular imagination of fellow tango dancers around the world. It is the penultimate experience for any tango lover to watch the passion, lust, beauty and melancholy of the dance being performed on the streets and in the tango halls of its inception.
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