Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions which are commonly asked.
Please contact us if you have further questions.
We'll be glad to respond to your inquiries.
What is the climate like?
When is the best time to go?
What time zone is Argentina?
Are meals included in tour packages?
What type of food is typical of Argentina?
Is the water safe to drink?
What should I pack?
Do I need an electrical adaptor?
Can I use my cell phone?
What are the tour leaders like?
Are tour dates flexible?
How far in advance should I book?
Can I extend or change my stay?
Are these trips a good choice for solo travelers?
How safe is Argentina?
Is travel insurance recommended?
What is the best way to travel to Argentina?
Do tour rates include international flights?
How do I get to the hotel from the airport when I arrive?
What is the local currency, exchange rate, etc.?
Should I bring cash or Traveler's checks? Are ATMs available? Can I use credit cards?
How much should I budget for tips?
Do I need a visa/passport?
What immunizations are recommended/ required?
What is the climate like?
Argentina's elongated geography provides the country with a diverse climate. The north is subtropical with rain throughout the year and is best visited between May and September when the heat and humidity is less oppressive. The south has a sub-arctic climate and is best visited in the summer (December to February). The central area is temperate, but can be hot and humid during summer and cool in winter.
When is the best time to go?
Remember that in the southern hemisphere, seasons are the opposite of those in the northern hemisphere. In general, Argentinian summer (American winter) is the best time to visit Patagonia and the Southern Andes because of the mild temperatures and long days. Most travelers consider the warmer months of November to March to be the best time to visit. . Wintertime (American summer) is recommended for traveling to the North and Northwest as rains are less frequent, and tropical temperatures drop a few degrees. July and August are also very good months for skiing in the Andes. Fall and spring are marvelous in Buenos Aires, Cuyo and the pre-mountain range areas of La Rioja and Catamarca, and the best time of the year for nature lovers to visit Patagonia, because of the marine wildlife approaching the shores of Argentina.
However, the hottest summer months, (December - February) can be quite humid in Buenos Aires so travelers who plan on extending their stay in the capital may opt for the shoulder seasons (October - November or April -May) instead. Holiday weeks (Easter and Christmas) tend to be the busiest times, so avoid these times if you want to avoid the crowds.
Travelers can visit Iguazu Falls year-round, though again the summer months can be hot. Visitors to Northwest Argentina will also want to avoid these hot summer months. In fact, the best time to visit this area is during the coolest months of May to September.
What time zone is Argentina?
Argentina is three hours behind GMT (two hours before EST). They do not observe daylight-savings time so during these months (April-October), Argentina is only one hour ahead of EST.
Are meals included?
Breakfast at your hotel, usually buffet-style, is included for every day of your trip. These are usually very extensive meals with wide choices.
On the city tour of Buenos Aires lunch is included.
During the tango house visit
to the Esquina Carlos Gardel in Buenos Aires you will be served a delicious dinner. Also in Buenos Aires, during the estancia visit, you will be treated to an asado - an
Argentinian barbecue.
All other lunches and dinners are on your own. You will find that even the best restaurants in Argentina are inexpensive by American standards. We can help you choose restaurants, but the choices are huge.
As part of the Spanish tradition, Argentinians, especially in the cities, tend to eat dinner late. However, you can dine out at any time.
What type of food is typical of Argentina?
Beef is central to the Argentinean diet. Barbecue grills and steak houses are common, often with 10-15 different choices of beef cuts. For vegetarians, pasta dishes and pizza are also fairly ubiquitous. In the Lake District, game dishes such as trout and venison are regional specialties and the Northwest is particularly well known for spicy dishes.
Is the water safe to drink?
The tap water is safe to drink in Buenos Aires and most parts of the country. To be sure, ask your tour leader or the hotel/ restaurant staff. Bottled water is readily available and should be used in remote rural areas.
What should I pack?
A water/windproof jacket, fleece, and sun protection are recommended for all Argentina tours. Patagonia experiences an amazing variety of climates; snow and wet weather are common. Fast-drying clothes that can be layered work best for these areas.
Do I need an electrical adaptor?
Argentina uses 220 volt, 50 cycle electricity. Travelers will require a voltage converter for 110 volt devices. Plugs are either two rounded prongs or three angled flat prongs so travelers from the US will also want plug adaptors.
Can I use my cell phone?
Check with your cell phone provider. Each company is different and they can give you the most up-to-date information. In Argentina you can buy low-cost phone cards which you can use to call the U.S. 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 centers, but there are also public telephones that take coins or phone cards, although you will 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. Most, if not all hotels also offer free Internet access.
What are the tour leaders like?
All of our tour leaders are fluent in English and Spanish. They are from the local areas where they guide and are among the very best guides available in each region. Our tour leaders treat our travelers like friends, showing visitors both the major highlights and the local treasures.
Are tour dates flexible?
You can travel whenever you choose to do so. This is a major advantage of a custom tour for two.
How far in advance should I book?
You can book your Argentina tour at any time, but generally the earlier you book, the better.
Can I extend or change my stay?
Absolutely! Extra days can also be arranged in Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, or other areas if desired. Let us know how you would like to customize your trip and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Are these trips a good choice for solo travelers?
Any of our tours can be taken by solo travelers. Due to the fact that you will not be sharing hotel rooms and guides, the cost will naturally be higher. Ask us about the price differential.
How safe is Argentina?
According to the US State Department, there is no evidence of terrorist organizations or violent groups in Argentina that specifically target U.S. visitors. However, street crime can occur in major cities all over the world, including the United States, and travelers should take common sense precautions. Don't walk alone or at night and don't carry large amounts of valuables with you. That being said, Argentinean cities are probably safer than most American big cities. Most hotels have safes where you can store your belongings. Check out the US State Department travel advisories for the latest information.
Is travel insurance recommended?
Whether or not to get travel insurance is a personal decision. We neither endorse nor not endorse doing so. In general, it certainly cannot hurt. On the other hand, travel to the parts of the world that we go to is pretty safe nowadays and most people do not see the need for the extra expense of travel insurance. Here is a good website that explores this question: http://www.travelblog.org/Travel-Guide/insurance-1.html
What is the best way to travel to Argentina?
Aerolineas Argentinas from New York and Miami; American Airlines from New York, Miami and Dallas; United Airlines from Chicago and Washington; Delta from Atlanta; Air Canada from Toronto have daily flights to Argentina arriving at Ezeiza International Airport “Ministro Pistarini,” 25 miles from Buenos Aires. The city by Teniente General Ricchieri freeway in approximately 45 minutes.
Do tour rates include international flights?
Tour rates do not include international flights. We find that it is usually less expensive for travelers to book these separately and this also allows you the flexibility to choose the schedule and routing that is most convenient for you. We can help you arrange these flights with an airfare consolidator.
How do I get to the hotel from the airport when I arrive?
You will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel. It's part of the service!
What is the local currency, exchange rate, etc.?
The local currency is the peso. Most restaurants, markets, and other service providers readily accept US dollars. They will generally give you change in local currency. It is handy to have a few pesos as post offices and some other institutions will not accept dollars. The Argentinean peso is currently worth around $.35 U.S.
Should I bring cash or Traveler's checks? Are ATMs available? Can I use credit cards?
Most travelers bring a small amount of US cash with them and withdraw from ATMs as they need it along they way. ATMs are readily available in the larger towns and cities. Travelers can withdraw US dollars or local currency at fair exchange rates. Traveler's checks are fine, but they can be more difficult to exchange and you will usually receive a poorer rate or be charged an additional fee. Credit cards are accepted in the larger restaurants and stores and at just about all hotels.
How much should I budget for tips?
Tips are not required on any of our tours. However, it is customary in Latin America to offer a small tip for exceptional service. Tipping amounts vary widely, though some travelers report that ~$2-$10/ day for your guide and ~$1-$3/ day for your driver is common. Other travelers opt to bring small gifts from their home to give to service providers along the way. A 10% tip is expected at restaurants. Porters expect 50 to 75 cents US per bag.
Do I need a visa/passport?
Travelers will all need a passport valid for at least 6 months after they arrive in Argentina. Citizens from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most Western European countries do not need a visa. Travelers from other nationalities should check with the Argentinean Embassy for visa information. Entry requirements change with surprising frequency. It is each traveler's responsibility to check with the consulate for the most up-to-date visa information.
What immunizations are recommended/ required?
No immunizations are currently required for visiting Argentina. Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended. For the most current information, please consult your doctor and/or check out the Center for Disease Control web-site at www.cdc.gov.
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