Usefull Tips

Entry formalities - Climate - Health Tips - Food and Beverages - Tipping - Emergency Phone numbers - Transportation - Language - Religion - Exchange - Time - Electricity - Shopping in Buenos Aires - VAT Refund - Bank and Commercial Hours - Methods of Payment - Driving in Argentina - Travel Insurance - Safety - Consulates: Phone numbers in Buenos Aires - Usefull Tips

Entry formalities

1. Ask in your Embassy or nearest Consulate about visa requirements.
2. Bear in mind that you may cross border in some tours (Iguazu Waterfall e.g.). It is strongly advised to ask about visa requirements for neighboring countries too.
3. Visitors coming from non neighbor countries do not pay taxes for baggage or new products up to U$S 300 and additional U$S 300 if products were bought in free shops authorized in national territory.
4. We suggest you to keep scanned copies of your travel documents. Bring copies of your Passport as well, so you can get around with them. Store your copies in a place other than the one you usually use for credit cards. In this way, in the case you loose the original; the procedure of getting a new one will be facilitated.
5. Ask always COVITOUR EVT, about visa requirements and entry formalities.

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Climate

Due to the extension of the country, its geographical location, and different latitudes and altitudes, Argentina presents climatic characteristics that greatly differ from one region to the other: from warm/hot in North to fresh/cold in South. Being below the equator, Argentina's winter lasts from July to October, while the summer goes from December to March.

Climate in Buenos Aires is temperate with no particular rainy season. There is not much difference between the minimum and maximum temperatures. Ideal months to visit Argentina are in the spring and fall since the climate at this time remains relatively warm.

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Health Tips

No vaccinations are required to visit Argentina.

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Food and Beverages

1. Argentina is worldwide famous for its excellent beef.
2. A wide range of restaurants feature culinary specialties throughout the country. Most of them are open till midnight.
3. The mythical “asados” (barbecue) are delicious, have fair prices and are served in big portions!
4. Wine is affordable and top quality.
5. Tap water is safe to drink. Anyway, it is wise to buy mineral water.
6. Do not take ice cubes.
7. Wash your hands before eating.
8. Avoid the consumption of raw food.
9. Do not eat at street stands.
10. Make sure that food is well cooked.

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Tipping

A 10% tip is protocol in places like restaurants and bars. Regarding service personnel in hotels, airports as well as taxi/auto drivers you may tip as you see fit according to the services they provide.

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Emergency Phone numbers

• Medical Emergency: 107 (Buenos Aires)
• Tourist Police: 131 (Buenos Aires)
• Police: 101 (Buenos Aires)
• For Covitour Guests: 24 hours service.
• From Argentina (11)15 5739 2070
• From Abroad; 54 911 5739 2070

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Transportation

To get around the city you have a wide range of transportation options: buses, taxis and 5 railway lines going in and out Buenos Aires.

Metro is called “Subte”, there are six interconnected lines, all of them converging on downtown, the main tourist area of the city This is the quickest and easiest way to get to your destination.
Timetables: Mondays to Saturdays from 5:30 am to 10.30 pm, and Sundays and Holidays from 8 am to 10 pm.

Taxis: Good and efficient. You can get a taxi by phone or directly at the street. However, ‘Radiotaxis’ (taxis provided with radio systems) are considered to be safer.

Buses: The urban bus transport or commonly known as "Colectivos" has a huge network of buses flowing through Buenos Aires streets. Even tough the service operates 24 hours a day, frequency is reduced by night.

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Language

The official language is Spanish. Most people involved in tourist and commercial activities speak English.

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Religion

Roman Catholicism is the state religion. In Argentina there is a full freedom of worship.

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Exchange

The local currency is the Peso (AR$) The exchange rate fluctuates between $3,85 to $ 4,10 per U$S 1. If you need to exchange foreign currency go to an authorized exchange agency or a bank. Hotels and stores accept US Dollars, and in general are willing to exchange them for Pesos.

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Time

Argentina is 3 three hours behind GMT/UTC (Bear in mind the daylight-saving time both in Europe and Argentina)

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Electricity

Electric current operates on 220 V, 50 Hz.

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Shopping in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is famous for its stores easily comparable with the ones you find in New York, Paris and London. Top of the list: high-quality leather and silver goods.
A flea Market is held every Sunday in San Telmo district; You get antiques here! There are plenty of handy crafts fairs scattered all over the city, check for days and time schedules.
Buenos Aires has many shopping areas, but the following places are where you'll find most of the action:
Palermo Viejo: divided into Palermo Hollywood and Palermo Soho. Lots of young designers have opened boutiques in this area Florida Street, the BA's pedestrian walking street, is home to wall-to-wall shops from Plaza San Martín to all the way past Avenida Corrientes. Avenida Santa Fe. This elegant and wide street, popular with local shoppers, offers a wide selection of clothing stores that you can visit until late even on Saturdays. “Calle Corrientes”: The Argentine “Broadway” caters with a number of theaters and night life options to a wide public made of local and foreigner as well.

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VAT Refund

At the airport you will be able to recover 21 % of the amount paid by way of the Value-added tax (VAT), if you have acquired national products from shops subscribed to this system, easily identified because they exhibit in their shop windows the Global Logo Refund. When the tourist makes a purchase, it is necessary to request the shop assistant to hand over a check of refund, in addition to the ordinary invoice. Before leaving the country, the tourist has to ask customs to validate the seal on the check. The ways of receiving the refund of the tax are the following ones: to receive it in cash, to credit it to your credit card, to receive a check at your home address.

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Bank and Commercial Hours

Banking hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Regular store hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., shops close at noon in almost every place but Buenos Aires. Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shopping malls are open every day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Restaurants: Lunch is served from 12:30 and dinner from 8:30 p.m. In some eateries it is possible to order a snack at anytime.

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Methods of Payment

Dollar and euro are generally accepted; however you can change money in Banks and authorized Exchange Offices. You can change in some hotels but they often practice a lower rate. Major credit cards such as VISA, American Express, VISA, Master Card and Diners are accepted almost everywhere. You may have some trouble to exchange traveler checks outside Buenos Aires. Bear in mind that you may pay a commission for the exchange.

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Driving in Argentina

In Argentina you drive on the right hand-side of the road. The vehicles are fueled either by gas (In Argentina gas is called “nafta”), diesel or compressed gas. Although there are plenty of gas stations in every city and on highways, it is very rare to find places where you can fill your tank yourself. The gas is measured in liters; the amount to pay is displayed on the pump. You may leave a tip if the pump attendant cleans your windscreen.

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Travel Insurance

Even if you plan a short time trip, it is wise to get a travel insurance.

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Safety

Even tough Argentina is a safe place to be, avoid remote neighborhoods or dark, deserted streets. Walking in downtown during the daytime is not riskier than doing that in Paris or London. Anyway, and as in any big city, watch your belongings and be cautious.

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Consulates: Phone numbers in Buenos Aires

• Germany: 4778-2500
• Brazil: 4515-6500
• Bulgaria: 4781-8644
• Chile: 4394-6582
• China: 4541-5085
• Colombia: 4312-5538
• Croatia: 4777-7284
• Cuba: 4782-9049
• Denmark: 4312-6901
• Slovenia: 4894-0621
• Spain: 4811-0070
• France: 4515-2930
• Hungary: 4822-0767
• India: 4393-4001
• Indonesia: 4807-2211
• Italy: 4816-6132
• Mexico: 4789-8826
• Paraguay: 4814-4803
• Perú: 4802-2000
• Netherland: 4338-0050
• Poland: 4802-9681
• Portugal: 4515-0520
• United Kingdom: 4808-2200
• Czech Republic: 4807-3107
• Russia: 4813-1556
• Uruguay: 4807-3040
• USA: 5777-4533
• Venezuela: 4788-4944

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Usefull Tips

1. Do not leave your bags unattended, especially in airports or crowded places.
2. On the beach, bring only the most necessary things.
3. Keep a watchful eye on you valuables, such as photo and video cameras.
4. Be careful with your credit card, asking for identification at the moment of paying with credit card is not the rule.
5. Avoid gambling or currency Exchange on the street.
6. Beware of people offering help on the street.
7. Keep Passports, air tickets and valuables in the safety box.
8. In shops, restaurants and stores in general, check the list of prices, they must be exhibited for all to see.
9. Do not bring all your Money in cash, you can bring traveler checks as well. Do not bring all the money you have with you.
10. After nightfall, avoid dark streets, choose lighted up places.
11. Do not bring or transport other persons’ things.
12. When arriving in a new country, be sure you have some local currency.
13. In the case of loss of luggage, inform the Authority before proceeding to Customs.
14. Tips are not included in our tours, it is not mandatory, but it is usual to leave 10% from the total amount of the bill in restaurants and bars. As for hotels staff, drivers and guides; tips are up to you: You leave if you have got a good service.
15. If you intend to rent a car, bring your driving license (You still may need an international driving license, ask in advance)
16. When you depart do not forget to indicate your name and address on your luggage. Make sure you have your Passport and hand luggage. Before leaving the hotel, check the room for things that you may have forgotten.

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