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TOURISM AND TRAVEL INFORMATION
I. BASIC DATA. Argentina covers an area of 2.8 million square kilometers (about 1,45 million square miles) and is the 8th largest country in the world. The population is 36,7 millions, over 96% is literate and has the widest middle class in Latin America. Urban population is 87 % and the life expectancy is 71 years. Public education is free of charge at all levels, including state universities. Private schools and universities are widespread through out the country. United Nations Development Program Report finds Argentina among the world's highest living standards and the best in Latin America.
II. A SKETCH OF HISTORY. Early in the 16th century Spain sent many expeditions to this region, and cities were founded. A Colony was well established by the 17th Century, In the next Century the King was represented by a Viceroy and trade was organized under a monopolistic system. The Napoleonic invasion of Spain left the colonies in America without an effective government. England sent a military expedition to take Buenos Aires in 1806 and 1808 but was expelled by the "criollos"(people born in the colony) and the local militia . Argentina became the first Latin American nation in May 1810 to endeavour in a process of emancipation from Spain. The independence was formally declared on July 9, 1816. In 1833 the British navy took Islas Malvinas (Falkland Islands) forcing out the Argentine population and establishing its own people. Since then Argentina has peacefully claimed the restitution of the islands. The Constitution was adopted in 1853 establishing a federal system of government similar to United States of America constitution. A stable system was inaugurated under the 1853 Constitution and into the next century a period of orderly presidential successions took place every six years and the country had an exponential economic growth until 1930. A massive European immigration began in the second half of the XIX century mainly from: Spain, Italy, Germany, Irland, England, Poland, Hungary, Russia, and Greece. The coup d'etat of 1930 interrupted the democratic process and decades of economic growth. It began a period of alternating military rule. Each military failure was followed by short-lived civilian governments.
A military regime
launched an invasion in 1982 to regain control of Islas Malvinas that were
finally recovered by British forces. The United Nations consider the case of
Malvinas as a colonial situation. Before and after the armed conflict the United
Nations invited Argentina and Britain to initiate negotiations in order to find
as soon as posible a peaceful and just solution to the sovereignty dispute.
III. TRAVELER INFORMATION. Language
The official language
is Spanish but English and French are spoken in tourist centers. Exemption from custom duties is non transferable and non cumulative. Non accompanied baggage does not have exemption from custom duties.
A written declaration
is required for electronic items such as celluar phones, personal computers,etc.
The monetary unit is the Peso.
Major credits cards (Amex,
Visa, Master, Diners) are widely accepted in hotel, shops, and restaurants.
Foreign currency and
travelers cheques can be exchanged at banks or Exchange offices. Business hours In Buenos Aires and the big cities from 9. a.m. to 7,30 p.m.,in some provinces from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7,30 p.m. Shopping centers open from 10 am to 10 p.m. seven days a week. The drugstores never close. Transportation and Car Rental
Major international
airlines fly to Argentina. A good way of getting around Buenos Aires is by bus,
subway (subterraneo) or taxis. To travel outside the capital, long distance
buses as well as the privatized railway system are comfortable. Main car rental
companies are in Argentina.
Argentina is three
hours behind CGT.
January 1, Thursday
and Good Friday (Thursday and Friday before Easter Sunday), May 1, May 25, April
2*, June 20*, July 9, August 17*, October 12*, December 8 and December 25. Electricity Electricity current operates on 220/240 volts at 50 cycles AC. Taxes
The value added tax
is 21% ( V.A.T / I.V.A) on all purchases.
It is customary to
tip waiters at restaurants 10%. A small tip to porters is advised.
V. CLIMATE. Argentina is located in the Southern Hemisphere and seasons are the opposite to Canada. Summer extends from December to March with average daytime temperatures between 25º C and 32º C. Winter extends from June to September the average temperatures are between 0º C and 10º C. The majority of the country lies in the temperate zone but the Argentine topography is highly varied as also its climate. The country offers different landscapes and climates from the tropical North to the Antarctic, through the subtropical forest and swamps to the arid lands and steppes, and from the high mountains in the west to the plains and lowlands in the center and east. Hot and humid in the Northeast (Formosa and Misiones Provinces), hot and dry in the Northwest (Jujuy and Salta Provinces ) cold and windy in the South (Patagonia) as well as in the South West Atlantic Islands (Islas Malvinas, Georgias and Sandwich Islands), mild in the center (the Pampas), and humid in the East due to the winds from the sea and the rivers. Buenos Aires which lays on the Rio de la Plata has high humidity. V. TOURIST AREAS. This capital of 10 million inhabitants is one of the worlds cosmopolitan cities and the center of culture and commerce in the southern cone of America. The city reflects French, Italian and Spanish architecture styles at the turn of the century. Old mansions can be seen next to high rise buildings. Of particular interest are the famous Colon opera house, the Congress palace, the government house, "Casa Rosada"; the "Cabildo" a municipal government house during the colonial period, the Obelisk a symbol of Buenos Aires, as well as the luxurious neoclassic and French Renaissance style of the "Palacio San Martin" and Museo de Arte Decorativo. Other attractions include "San Telmo's" flea market, "La Boca" a brightly painted neighborhood, "La Recoleta" a fashionable area of the city and more than one hundred and fifty art galleries and museums There are in Buenos Aires numerous hotels, restaurants with a wide choice of cuisine, parks, golf courses and soccer stadiums in the heart of the city. Florida pedestrian street, shopping centers, cinemas and cafe-bar are bustling day and night. Buenos Aires is the city were the Tango was born and raised and today shares the excitement of the city night. From Buenos Aires one day trips are possible to the "Tigre" at the Delta of Parana River, a watersport and fishing center. The sub-tropical rain forest in the Province of Misiones offers a chance of seeing the exuberant vegetation, tropical fauna, as well as the striking red coloring of the soil. Nearby the capital of this province the Iguazu river jumps hight from a plateau creating the Iguazú Falls, a semi-circular arch of 275 water falls surrounded by the forest. It is also worth seeing the ruins of the ancient Jesuit missions of San Ignacio that UNESCO included as a part of a Humanity's Cultural Heritage. The colonial flavor of North-West There are two colonial cities Salta and Jujuy, at the foothills of the mountains (Cordillera de los Andes). Both are rich in tradition and history and have cathedrals, churches (San Francisco) and buildings dating from 16th century. Here is still possible to find a mixture of ancient indian traditions and old Spanish influences. Worthwhile seeing are : La Quiaca and Humahuaca, two charming towns nearby Bolivia, the Humauaca Pass with its multicolored rock layers, the beautiful scenery of the Calchaqui Valleys and the Train of the Clouds up in the Andes.
In vineyards of the fertile
valleys of Cuyo (Provinces of San Juan and Mendoza) the best wines of the
continent are produced and every year grape harvest festivals take place.
Among the Sierras (hills)
lays Cordoba, the second city of Argentina that was founded in 1573. From
Cordoba to Buenos Aires stretches the symbol of Argentina : the Pampas, a huge
plain bare of trees.
Mar del Plata is the leading
seaside resort on the Atlantic ocean approximately 400 km from Buenos Aires. The
city itself has the largest casino in Argentina and offers interesting
attractions including high seas fishing, sailing regattas, and retail outlets.
Another beach resort is Pinamar a small city in a pine forest not far from Mar
del Plata. San Carlos de Bariloche a lakeside city in the heart of the deep blue lakes district is an incomparable vacation spot that attracts lovers of skiing, fishing, hunting, and boating. This region, plenty of high quality hotels and homey inns embraces four National Parks. Skiing is usually possible from the end of June to September in the resorts of San Martin de los Andes (Province of Neuquen) and La Hoya (Province of Chubut). Patagonia and the glaciers of the South
The Patagonian
long Atlantic coast is home to sea elephants, penguins, sea gulls, sea lions,
whales. From Puerto Madryn is easy to reach the Peninsula Valdez reserve and
enjoy this maritime extravaganza. But the wildlife is not just confined to the
seashore, the Patagonia is also famous for wildcats, pumas, deer, rheas, eagles,
and condors.
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