Argentina

Travel Facts

City Codes
EZE: Buenos Aires (international airport, 20 mi. SW of downtown)
AEP: Buenos Aires (downtown domestic airport)
BRC: Bariloche
IGR: Iguassu Falls
ING: Lago Argentino
JUJ: Jujuy
MDZ: Mendoza
REL: Trelew/Peninsula Valdes
SLA: Salta
TUC: Tucuman
USH: Ushuaia
Entry requirements: Valid U.S. passport. No visa required
Taxes/Surcharges: International departure taxes: $18.
Hotel taxes & service charges: Most hotel taxes (21%) and service charges (10%) are already included in price of tour package. Tipping: 10% is customary. Taxi drivers near major hotels expect to be tipped.
Currency: Argentine Peso. You can exchange money at hotels, banks or usually while shopping. Banking hours are Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ATMs are convenient. Credit cards widely accepted.
Shopping: Buenos Aires is famous for its fashionable shops and boutiques. A walk down the elegant pedestrian mall of Calle Florida and Av. Santa Fe gives the visitor a sampling of the best Argentina has to offer: leather goods, furs, silver, cashmere and Gaucho souvenirs. Shopping hours are 9:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Monday - Friday and 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Saturday. There is an excellent weekend flea market in historic San Telmo specializing in antiques and art.
Food and Drink: Sophisticated Buenos Aires thrives on beef. Steak houses are abundant and the meats are tender and succulent. Cuts like Bife de Chorizo, Bife de Lomo, Baby Bife or even a Parrillada (mixture of cuts) top most steak house menus. Good fresh fish is also available. Try the chorizo (grilled sausage) and the many varieties of empanadas (meat or cheese turnovers). Buenos Aires offers the diner a rich assortment of culinary experiences from which to choose. Italian restaurants are excellent. Stop for teatime at a confitura(Argentine pastry shop). Sample Argentine wines which are outstanding.
Telephone Area Codes:(54) country code; Buenos Aires 114, Bariloche 944, Iguassu Falls 757, Salta 87, Mendoza 61, Jujuy 882, Tucumon 81 and Trelew/Peninsula Valdes 965.

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