South America and South Atlantic Islands

Argentina

Still current at: 25 July 2008

Updated: 25 June 2008

Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from international terrorism.  Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. 

In October 2005 a number of small explosive devices were detonated in Buenos Aires, Mar del Plata and La Plata, the majority outside banks.  There were no casualties in any of these incidents, which were believed to be the work of local anti-globalisation groups.

On 17 November 2004 three bombs exploded in Buenos Aires.  One person was killed and another injured.

For more general information see the Terrorism Abroad page of the FCO website.

Crime

The most frequent problems involve distraction theft, bag snatching and armed robberies in the street, in taxis and restaurants. Distraction thefts commonly occur in public areas such as internet cafes, and train and bus stations. There has been a noticeable rise in reports of stolen passports in the last year, especially in the main bus stations in Buenos Aires and Mendoza. You should keep a close hold on your personal possessions and bags. Con-men have also robbed tourists while an accomplice pretends to help remove ketchup or mustard that has been “accidentally” sprayed on them. Another common occurrence is the slitting of handbags in crowded places. Be particularly attentive in popular tourist areas, such as San Telmo. You should avoid carrying too much cash or wearing ostentatious jewellery.

Kidnappings and so called “express kidnappings” – short-term, opportunistic abductions, aimed at extracting cash from the victim – do occur in Argentina.  Victims of express kidnapping are normally selected at random and held while criminals empty their bank accounts with stolen cash cards.  Once the ransom is paid the victim is usually quickly released.  Although tourists are not currently targeted, you should be alert at all times. Avoid isolated or poorly lit areas at night.  Hail moving taxis rather than those waiting at the kerbside, or use a hotel recommended radio taxi.  Do not offer resistance in the event of an attempted robbery.  If you are being met at the airport and you do not know your greeter, ensure you confirm their identity before accepting a lift.  Alternatively use a "remise" service from the official stand in the centre of the arrivals concourse.

When travelling on local buses and trains, remain alert at all times.  Pickpockets are rife.  If you are robbed, you should inform the local police – a police report will be required by your insurers and by the Embassy if you need a new passport.  In Buenos Aires, a 24-hour police helpline in English has been opened, on telephone number 101, to help victims.  There is also a new multi-lingual free phone number for tourist assistance: 0800 999 5000.  This goes through to the Tourist Police Station.

Passports should be left in a hotel safe/security box except when being used for identification purposes such as purchasing expensive items or cashing travellers cheques. Keep a photocopy of the details page of your passport with you at all times. Passports are required as identification for internal flights.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad page of the FCO website.

Political Situation

Argentina Country Profile

Despite a strong recovery, the economic and political crisis of 2001-02 has left its mark, particularly in the form of increased inequality and poverty.  With around 35% of the population living below the poverty line there are occasional outbreaks of social unrest and demonstrations, which at times turn violent.  You should monitor local media and avoid planned demonstrations and public gatherings.


Local Travel
 
You may occasionally encounter groups of demonstrators (piqueteros) blocking major roads into and out of Buenos Aires during times of social unrest.  You should expect significant delays to any journey.

Road Travel

You need an International Driving Permit to drive in Argentina.

You should be aware that driving and road safety standards 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 problem. You should keep windows closed and doors locked at all times whilst travelling in the major cities.

Care should be taken when driving in the Province of Misiones close to the borders with Paraguay and Brazil.  The area is used to smuggle goods across the borders.  It would be advisable to seek local advice if you intend to drive in this area.

For more general information see Driving Abroad page of the FCO website.

You should not 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.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You page of the FCO website.

Visas

British nationals do not require a visa to enter Argentina as a tourist.  On presentation of a valid British passport you will be granted a 90-day stay in the country.

 

To enter Argentina for any other purpose, you should contact the Embassy of the Argentine Republic, 27 Three Kings Yard, London, W1Y 1FL, Tel: 020 7318 1340; Fax: 020 7318 1349; Website: http://www.argentine-embassy-uk.org/.

 
Passport validity

We recommend that you have a minimum of six months validity on your passport when entering Argentina.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence that both parents have given permission for the journey before allowing lone parents to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration, please contact the Argentine Embassy in London (contact details as above).

Medical facilities are good, but can be expensive.

Asthma, sinus and bronchial problems can be aggravated by the polluted atmosphere in the major cities.  If you have specific conditions (e.g. diabetes), you should bring a sufficient quantity of medical supplies and medicines with you for the trip.

Dengue Fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year.  In 2007 there was a marked increase in the number of reported cases of Dengue across the region.  The northern Argentine provinces bordering Paraguay (notably Corrientes, Misiones and Formosa) are the areas most affected.  Fatalities from Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever have been reported in Paraguay and there is no vaccination or immunisation.  See the Paraguay travel advice for more details.

In January 2008, cases of Yellow Fever were reported in monkeys in Misiones province.  In March 2008 a human case of Yellow Fever was also confirmed in the province.  As a result of these cases and outbreaks in Brazil and Paraguay in January and February 2008, the vaccination recommendations for travellers to Argentina have now changed. Yellow Fever vaccination is recommended for those nine months of age and older travelling to the regions of Argentina bordering Paraguay and Brazil in the provinces of Chaco, Corrientes, Formosa, Salta province and to all areas of Misiones province, including Iguaçu Falls.  

In the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 130,000 adults aged 15 or over in Argentina were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.6% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS page of the FCO website.

 

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Argentina and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should check the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health page of the FCO website.

  

Natural Disasters 

 

Volcanoes

Several areas of Argentina have been affected by volcanic ash following the eruption of the Volcano Chaiten in Chile, which started on 1 May 2008. The Argentinean Ministry of Health recommend those in the regions bordering Chile in the provinces of Chubut and south of Rio Negro to stay indoors and wear masks and protective glasses when outside.  If you intend to travel to travel to these areas you should monitor local media and this travel advice for any updates.  You should also follow the advice of the local authorities.

Flooding

Many of the northern provinces of Argentina suffer from seasonal flooding.  This can lead to disruption to transport and delivery of foodstuffs.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance page of the FCO website.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help page of the FCO website.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found on the FCO website.

Money

ATM availability is generally good but you should not rely solely on using international debit cards bearing the Cirrus logo to access funds.  You should be aware that some international credit and debit card providers place a limit on the number of withdrawals you can make per day from ATMs, and the amount you can withdraw on each occasion.  Standard international charges for withdrawals may also apply.  You are advised to check with your card provider before travelling.  You should also ensure you carry alternative forms of payment, including a credit card (accepted in most hotels and major shops and restaurants) or travellers’ cheques, although the latter are not always accepted.  US dollars are not widely accepted outside the major tourist areas for cash transactions but it is worth bringing a small supply of dollars to exchange for pesos.  When exchanging money, you are advised to use only authorised bureaux de change, rather than informal traders.