HOW TO GET THERE

All the airlines that fly to Argentina arrive at the Ministro Pistarini (Ezeiza) International Airport of Buenos Aires, 35 Km from the Federal Capital and connected to it by the Teniente General Ricchieri motorway (Information, Tel. 4480-9538). Remember that on leaving the country a tax has to be paid. The buses companies offer a half-hourly bus service between its offices in Buenos Aires and Ezeiza airport from 04.00 to 21.00 hours; the trip takes 40 minutes. There are also taxis and chauffeur-driven rental cars.

WHEN TO GO AND WHAT CLOTHES TO BRING

Remember that in the southern hemisphere the seasons are the opposite to those in the northern hemisphere. In general, summer with mild temperatures and long days is the most ideal time to visit Patagonia and the Southern Andes. Winter time is recommended for travelling to the North and Northwest as the rains are less frequent and the tropical temperatures drop a few degrees. Autumn and Spring are marvellous in Buenos Aires, Cuyo and the pre-mountain range areas of La Rioja and Catamarca.

HOW TO TRAVEL

AIR

Given the enormous sizes of the country, air is the ideal form of transport over large distances which can later be combined with overland transport. Buy the Airpass Visit Argentina issued by Aerolíneas Argentinas and Austral Líneas Aéreas in your own country which allows you to travel cheaply in Argentina, or the Mercosur Airpass for Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Domestic flights and flights to Uruguay leave from the Jorge Newbery airport which is to the north of the city beside the Río de la Plata.

BUS

The Buenos Aires bus station is on Av. Ramos Mejía 1680 near to Retiro Station. Long distance buses have toilets, air conditioning and a bar.

TRAIN

Ferrobaires (Constitución Station, tel. 4304-0028/31/38); TBA - TU.FE.SA. (Retiro Station, tel. 4317-4407/45); Ferro Expreso Pampeano (Once Station, tel. 4331-2702); Urquiza Railway (Federico Lacroze Station, tel. 4553-0044).

CAR RENTAL

All the international car rental companies operate in Argentina. In Buenos Aires there are AI Rent a Car International, Avis Rent a Car, Budget Rent a Car, Dollar Rent a Car, Hertz - Annie Millet Rent a Car, Localiza Rent a Car, Thrifty Car Rental.

SHOPPING

VAT RETURN
At the airport you can recover the 21% VAT paid if you have purchased local products for an amount greater than $200 (per invoice) in the shops which are members of this scheme.

METHODS OF PAYMENT
Whilst the Dollar is generally accepted, foreign currency can be exchanged in banks and authorised bureaux. The most commonly accepted credit cards are American Express, VISA, Diners and Master Card. There may be difficulties in changing traveller's cheques outside of Buenos Aires.

WORKING HOURS
Banks and Exchange Bureaux: Mondays to Fridays from 10.00 to 15.00 hours.
Business Offices: generally from 09.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 19.00 hours.
Shops and commerce: in the big cities from 09.00 to 20.00 hours, although in the outskirts and the provinces they tend to close at midday.
On Saturdays the hours are from 09.00 to 13.00 hours.
Cafés, cake shops and pizzerias: are open most of the time except between 02.00 and 06.00 hours.
Restaurants: lunch starts from 13.00 and dinner from 21.00 hours. Many establishments offer fast menus at all times.

TIPS
It is customary to leave 10% in cafeterias and restaurants and to tip doormen, porters, ushers in cinemas, etc.