Argentina

Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic (Spanish: República Argentina), is a large country in the southern part of South America. It offers a great diversity of climates and landscapes from jungles in the north, great grass plains in the centre and frozen mountains in the south.

In addition, the Falkland Islands, a United Kingdom Overseas Territory, are claimed by Argentina as the Islas Malvinas, but as they are not ruled by Argentina, they are covered in their own article. That should not be construed as expressing approval or disapproval of either side's claims.

• Buenos Aires. — or "Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires", which people occasionally call Capital Federal to distinguish it from the province of Buenos Aires
• Córdoba. — second largest city, in the heart of the Pampas region
• Rosario. — known for beautiful neoclassical architecture
• Mendoza. — well known for its extensive and high quality wine production. It is also near Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas.
• San Miguel de Tucuman. — the largest city in the northwest
• La Plata. — known as "the perfect city" for its tracing; just look at a map of the street pattern of the city
• Salta. — known as 'La Linda' due to its beautiful surroundings
• San Juan. — a centre of quality wine production
• San Carlos de Bariloche. — in the foothills of the Andes with lots of facilities for skiing and trekking. Known for its picturesque snow-covered landscapes and the European style of its buildings

Buenos Aires. — or "Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires", which people occasionally call Capital Federal to distinguish it from the province of Buenos Aires

Córdoba. — second largest city, in the heart of the Pampas region

Rosario. — known for beautiful neoclassical architecture

Mendoza. — well known for its extensive and high quality wine production. It is also near [[Aconcagua]], the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas.

San Miguel de Tucuman. — the largest city in the northwest

La Plata. — known as "the perfect city" for its tracing; just look at a map of the street pattern of the city

Salta. — known as 'La Linda' due to its beautiful surroundings

San Juan. — a centre of quality wine production

San Carlos de Bariloche. — in the foothills of the Andes with lots of facilities for skiing and trekking. Known for its picturesque snow-covered landscapes and the European style of its buildings

• El Calafate. — the main destination when visiting the Glaciers National Park; advancing to the Perito Moreno Glacier is a must when visiting Argentina
• Iberá Wetlands. — a nature reserve of 13,000 km² with its eco village Colonia Carlos Pellegrini right in the heart of the reserve
• Iguazú Falls. — awesome falls right in the north-east corner of the country
• Nahuel Huapi National Park. — at the foothills of the Andes mountains with lakes, rivers, waterfalls, peaks, glaciers and forests
• Quebrada de Humahuaca. : a narrow valley in the arid mountains of Jujuy province, including famous colourful mountains and magnificent desert landscapes

El Calafate. — the main destination when visiting the Glaciers National Park; advancing to the Perito Moreno Glacier is a must when visiting Argentina

Iberá Wetlands. — a nature reserve of 13,000 km² with its eco village [[Colonia Carlos Pellegrini]] right in the heart of the reserve

Iguazú Falls. — awesome falls right in the north-east corner of the country

Nahuel Huapi National Park. — at the foothills of the Andes mountains with lakes, rivers, waterfalls, peaks, glaciers and forests

Quebrada de Humahuaca. : a narrow valley in the arid mountains of [[Jujuy]] province, including famous colourful mountains and magnificent desert landscapes

Argentina is in South America, and is the eighth-largest country in the world. The highest and the lowest points of South America are also in Argentina: At 6,960m, Cerro Aconcagua is the tallest mountain in the Americas while Salinas Chicas, at 40m below sea level, is the lowest point in South America.

At the southern tip of Argentina there are several routes between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific Oceans including the Strait of Magellan, the Beagle Channel, and the Drake Passage---as alternatives to sailing around Cape Horn in the open ocean between South America and Antarctica.

The name Argentina derives from argentinos, the Ancient Greek diminutive (tinos) form for silver (argentos), which is what early Spanish explorers sought when they reached the region in the 16th century.

Buenos Aires and the Pampas are temperate; cold in the winter, hot and humid in the summer.

The deserts of Cuyo, which can reach temperatures of 45°C, are extremely hot and dry in the summer and moderately cold and dry in the winter. Spring and fall often exhibit rapid temperature reversals; several days of extremely hot weather may be followed by several days of cold weather, then back to extremely hot.

The Andes are cool in the summer and very cold in the winter, varying according to altitude.

Northwest Argentina's climate varies by altitude with lowland areas experiencing hot summers and mild winters while icy conditions prevail at the highest altitudes.Salta and San Salvador de Jujuy are in valleys and are characterized by a pleasant climate year-round.

Mesopotamia to the northeast has a humid climate with abundant rainfall year round and high temperatures.

Patagonia is cool in the summer and cold in the winter. Much of the region is a desert except in the extreme west where rainfall is higher, supporting forests. The rainfall changes a lot within a small distance ranging from more than 1,000 mm (39 in) to just under 200 (8 in) less than 100 km (62 mi) away to the east. One defining characteristic of the climate is the strong, persistent winds that blow across the region, making the temperature feel much colder than it is. Extreme temperature shifts within a single day are even more common here; pack a variety of clothes and dress in layers.

Don't forget that seasons are reversed from those of the Northern Hemisphere.

The central region of Argentina is the rich plain known as La Pampa. There is jungle in the extreme northeast. The southern half of Argentina is dominated by the flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia. The western border with Chile is along the rugged Andes mountains, including the Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside the Himalayas. The western Cuyo regions at the base of the Andes are mostly rocky desert with some poisonous frock trees.

Following independence from Spain in 1816, Argentina experienced periods of internal political conflict between conservatives and liberals. In the first decade of the 20th century, Argentina became the richest nation in Latin America, its wealth symbolized by the opulence of its capital city. During the roaring twenties, Argentina was one of the world's richest countries, with a GDP higher than that of major European economies such as France, Germany and Italy. European immigrants flowed into Argentina, particularly from the northern parts of Italy and Spain; by 1914 nearly 6 million people had come to the country.

After World War II, Juan Peron came to power and instituted a form of populism commonly known as Peronism. Under Peron, Argentina instituted a protectionist economic policy that heavily restricted foreign trade. While such policies led to the overwhelming popularity of Peron and other Peronist politicians among the masses of working class Argentinians, it also led Argentina's economy to stagnate. Peron was overthrown in a military coup in 1976.

After waging an unsuccessful war with the United Kingdom over the Islas Malvinas (Falkland Islands) in 1982, the military leadership lost power and democracy returned in 1983.

A painful economic crisis at the turn of the 21st century devalued the Argentine peso by a factor of three and ushered in a series of weak, short-lived governments along with social and economic instability. However, later in the decade Argentina seemed to find some new stability, and has a much better economic outlook albeit with the eternal problem of high inflation. Argentina is the third largest economy in Latin America, after Brazil and Mexico, and a member of the G20 group of major economies.

Argentine electricity is 220 V, 50 Hz. Adapters and transformers for North American equipment are readily available.

The best way to use imported electrical equipment in Argentina is to purchase an adapter once there. These are available in the Florida shopping area in Buenos Aires for around US$2 or less in hardware stores outside the city centre. Buildings use a mix of European and Australian plug fittings. The Australian-style plugs are IRAM-2073, which are physically identical to the Australian AS-3112 standard (two blades in a V-shape, with or without a third blade for ground). However, the live and neutral pins in the Australian fittings are reversed. Therefore Australian equipment may be incompatible despite the apparent plug-compatibility. This is not a problem for battery chargers for devices such as Thinkpad, iPod, iPhone and Blackberry.

European standard CEE-7/7 "Schukostecker" or "Schuko" outlets and the non-grounded, but compatible, European CEE-7/16 "Europlug" outlets may still be found in some older buildings. US and Canadian travellers may want to pack adapters for these outlets as well.

Many sockets have no earth pin. Laptop adapters should have little problem with this. If your laptop adapter requires an earth pin you will need a plug adapter that takes three pins from the laptop and requires only two from the wall socket. This does work but may reduce electrical safety or affect your warranty.

Some Argentine sockets accept North American plugs, particularly ones on power strips. This does not mean that these sockets supply 110 volts. Make sure that your equipment can handle 220 volts. Simply changing the shape of the plug with a US$2 adapter will not allow 110 V equipment to operate on 220 V Argentinian voltage, unless the device is specifically designed to work on both 110 and 220 volts, irreparable damage and even fire can result. Most laptop power adapters and many portable electronics chargers are designed to work on either voltage; check the specifications for your equipment to be sure. If your equipment cannot accept 220 V voltage, you can purchase a '220-110 V' transformer for approximately US$6 in most Argentinian electronics shops. This is much heavier and bulkier than a small adapter. There are two types of these transformers. One supports heavy loads for short durations, for example a hair dryer. The other supports light loads for long durations, for example an inkjet printer.

• January 1 - New Year's Day
• March 24 - Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice
• 2 April - Malvinas Day
• 25 May - Day of the First National Government
• June 17 - Anniversary of the death of Martín Miguel de Güemes
• June 20 - National Flag Day
• July 9 - Independence Day
• August 17 - Anniversary of the death of José de San Martin
• October 12 - Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity
• November 20 - Day of National Sovereignty
• December 25 - Christmas
• December 31 - New Year's Eve

January 1 - New Year's Day

March 24 - Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice

2 April - Malvinas Day

25 May - Day of the First National Government

June 17 - Anniversary of the death of Martín Miguel de Güemes

June 20 - National Flag Day

July 9 - Independence Day

August 17 - Anniversary of the death of José de San Martin

October 12 - Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity

November 20 - Day of National Sovereignty

December 25 - Christmas

December 31 - New Year's Eve

The official language is Spanish. Generally, most people speak Spanish using a local dialect, Castellano Rioplatense, which is subtly different from both the language of Spain and that of Central America. Most notably, the pronoun "tu" is replaced by "vos", and the you plural pronoun "vosotros" replaced with "ustedes", the latter being common throughout Latin America.

People from each city pronounce words differently as well. People from Buenos Aires speak differently compared to those from Spain and other Spanish speaking countries; example: chicken in Spanish (pollo) is pronounced PO-zhO or PO-SHO by the "Porteños" (residents of Buenos Aires), with the SH sound harder than in Spanish; unlike most other Spanish speakers of South America who pronounces it PO-yo. All Argentinians learn standard Castilian Spanish in school.

Rioplatense Spanish is also heavily influenced by Italian, even frequently being mistaken for it, a result of the large influx of Italian immigrants. Hand gestures derived from Italy are extremely common, and many colloquialisms are borrowed from Italian (for example: instead of saying "cerveza", which means beer, youngsters find "birra" cooler, which is in Italian). Most locals can readily understand most Spanish dialects, as well as Portuguese or Italian (especially due to its similarity to the local Spanish).

English is mandatory in high school and usually understood in at least a basic level in tourist areas. German and French can be understood and to some extent spoken by a few. A few places in Patagonia near Rawson have native Welsh speakers.

The interjection "che" is extremely common and means approximately the same thing as English "hey!". It can also be employed as a phrase known to someone you don't remember their names. Ex: "Escucháme, Che,...." Sometimes it is peppered throughout the speech, similar to the English phrase "yo," as in "What's up, yo?" Nonetheless, communication will not be a problem for any Spanish speaker.

Argentines will communicate with each other using lunfardo, a street dialect or slang. It is used together with Spanish by replacing nouns with their synonyms in lunfardo. As opposed to changing the original meaning, it just makes the phrase more colourful. An important aspect of lunfardo is that it is only spoken. For example, one knows the word dinero (money), but may use the word "guita" in order to refer to the same things. Lunfardo is composed of about 5,000 words, many of which do not appear in the dictionary.

For many visitors, Argentina as a country has the same seductive appeal as the tango for which it's famous. Just like that iconic partner dance, Argentina embraces you, constantly moving to the rhythm of the streets and improvising every step of the way.

Its large cities all bustle with life. The famous capital, Buenos Aires, is the most visited city in South America and a place like no other. Of course, there's fancy cosmopolitan boutiques, top of the line nightlife and gourmet cuisine. However, it's the classic, unpolished side of the city that makes it a world wide traveller's magnet. The downtrodden but colourful neighbourhoods where crazy traffic sounds drown out distant accordion tunes, the pleasant street-cafés and parillas (steak houses), busy outdoor markets and the lovely old centre with its European colonial architecture. San Telmo is the oldest neighbourhood of the city and a good place to indulge in the city vibe of cafés, street artists, tango parlors and antique markets in a colonial surrounding. The atmosphere is perhaps Buenos Aires' biggest attraction, but some of the main sights include Recoleta’s cemetery and the Plaza de Mayo. Argentina's other big cities share the energetic buzz of BA, but have a distinct character of their own. Mendoza is a lively yet laid-back town, characterized by broad avenues. It's famous as a wine capital far beyond the borders of Argentina and a perfect starting point for the Argentina Wine Route along the hundreds of wineries in the area. As it's close to the Andes, it's also a good base for winter sports and other outdoor activities. The old university city Córdoba is known for its particular musical culture with the cuarteto as its number one music style. The city also boasts some of the best colonial heritage sights in the country. Bariloche, also at the base of the Andes mountains, is a major tourist destination, popular for its skiing opportunities, lovely beaches and chocolate shops.

Fascinating as Argentina's urban life may be, the country's mighty natural attractions are at least as good a reason to come. The landscapes are incredibly various, from the high peaks of the Andes and the famous Perito Moreno Glacier to cacti filled desserts, sandy Atlantic beaches and biodiverse wetlands. With some 30 national parks in the country, there's always a good place nearby to see some of the country's natural wonders. A highlight in the subtropical north are the spectacular Iguaçu Falls, easily one of the most impressive waterfalls on earth. Argentina's wildlife includes flamingos, penguins, caimans and capybaras, sea lions and -at times- even whales. Especially when you're visiting in autumn, the coastal town of Puerto Madryn is a must. From there you can easily make your way to Punta Tombo and Peninsula Valdes to go whale-watching and meet up close and personal with some of the million penguins who come to Patagonia each year to nest and raise their young. Head to El Calafate to organize your tour to the highly popular Los Glaciares National Park and see the famous glaciers and the icy Argentino Lake. Be amazed by the many colours and remarkable rock formations of Quebrada de Humahuaca, a mountain range in the north that extends far over the Bolivian border. Drive through and spot traditional villages and indigenous women and their goat herds. Other great destinations for nature lovers include the Ibera wetlands (with the most diverse fauna in the country) and Talampaya National Park, a primary site for archaeological and palaeontological finds.

Generally, Argentina is a country that charges excessively for its natural wonders and touristy sights, like the one mentioned above. And especially as a foreigner you generally pay twice as much as locals, even though costs of living do not differ much between Argentina and Europe. This can make Argentina an expensive destination and barely interesting for someone on a shoestring. However, there are great alternatives that require little money and are equally interesting, like El Chalten and the Viedma Glacier (the largest in Argentina), El Bolsón with great hiking options (even into Chile), (Lake) Epecuén, Cerro de La Ventana, San Antonio Oeste with the popular Las Grutas beach resort town and the picturesque Playa Las Conchillas and Playa Piedras Coloradas, Pinguinera Cabo Dos Bahias near Puerto Madryn, Bosques Petrificados (de Jaramillo), the colorful hills of the Quebrada de Humahuaca in Jujuy and other impressive rock formations in the Salta Province, and many more. In addition, relying on hitch-hiking and travelling with a tent can bring down costs in addition.

The countryside in general is a most pleasant part of Argentina; laid-back and with a taste for life close to nature. Rural villages are a breath of fresh air compared to the country's hectic big cities and a nice way to experience traditional culture. The north is as South-American as Argentina gets. Its wine regions are famous throughout the world and an increasingly popular tourist destination. If the bustle of Buenos Aires is too much for your taste, Mendoza and Salta are an excellent choice. They also make for a good base to explore the scenic regional vineyards and friendly villages with the Andes mountains in the background. Salta is also the starting point for the Train to the Clouds, a heritage railway that seems to be running solely to provide some unforgettable panoramas for visitors. The Traslasierra Valley is a pleasant green valley and one of the many places where you can enjoy a world class spa, as hot springs naturally occur around here. Finally, if you like a day at the beach, Argentina has plenty to offer for you. Mar del Plata is one of the top destinations for beach resorts.

Argentina is a great country to seek out the nature, glaciers, lakes and mountains for a couple of days with a tent, sleeping bag and cooking ware. Many of the above mentioned sights are spotted with beautiful hiking trails of varying quality and level, like El Chalten, San Carlos de Bariloche, or El Bolsón—read there for more information on specific trails. Often you will have to climb up a mountain to see a glacier or a lake, just to return later—in that case consider leaving your (heavy) luggage where it cannot be found and enjoy the trail without the burden, but remembering where you left your backpack before.

Also, see the general Hiking and Wilderness backpacking guidelines of Wikivoyage.

Buenos Aires has a number of walking tour options. They include the typical tours you may find in any city, as well as interesting options including free walking tours, downloadable MP3 walking tours, and even running tours.

The most popular sport in Argentina is football (soccer), and it is often said that football is not just a sport but a religion. If you come to Argentina, you shouldn't miss the chance to experience a professional match live. Argentina's top professional football league is the Primera División, and the fans are very passionate. The Argentinian national team is also one of the world's footballing powerhouses, and matches against Brazil and England in particular are very charged affairs.

There are five teams called "Los 5 grandes", which are the elite of Argentinian football tournaments:

• Boca Juniors - famous stadium "La Bombonera" where Diego Maradona played.
• River Plate - Stadium "El monumental de Nuñez" where Argentina won the 1978 FIFA World Cup.
• Racing Club - The first Argentine team to win the Club World Championships.
• Independiente - won the most Copa Libertadores
• San Lorenzo

Other Teams

• Rosario Central - Stadium: "El gigante de Arroyito"
• Velez Sarfield (European SouthAmerican Cup Champion in Tokyo 1994)
• Estudiantes de La Plata - World Champion '68, Champion of America 1968 - 1969 - 1970 -2009. Club where Juan Sebastián Verón played.
• Newell's Old Boys - team where Gabriel Batistuta played
• Colón De Santa Fe - team with the largest number of supporters based on Argentina's coast

The rivalry between the Buenos Aires clubs of Boca Juniors and River Plate, known as El Superclásico , is by far the most intense in Argentina, with rioting and even stabbings between fans of the two clubs being a regular occurrence.

Rugby and basketball (basquet) are also popular.

Argentine polo is famous throughout the world, and the country is home to all of the highest ranked players today. Introduced by British settlers in the 1870s, skillful gauchos adopted it and the passion caught like wildfire. The Argentine Polo Open, usually played on early December every year, is a must for polo fans from all over the world. The sport's governing body is the Asociacion Argentina de polo and its webpage lists all the official tournaments held each year. Argentina is also well known for the many polo clinics held on clubs and farms around Buenos Aires.

Tennis has been growing in popularity with the Argentina's steady production of top players since the 1980s.

Field hockey has also became a popular sport, especially among women. The National Women's Field Hockey Team, Las Leonas (The Lionesses), has grown in the past years and developed into a now competes against the best in the world.

Car racing is popular too: The main leagues are Turismo Carretera (Ford vs Chevrolet), TC2000 (Touring Cars) and TopRace. The most important racetrack in Argentina is in Buenos Aires is Autódromo Oscar Alfredo Gálvez.

Golf in Argentina is an increasingly popular sport thanks in part to the success of Argentinian players such as Angel Cabrera, Andres Romero and Eduardo Romero. There are around 280 courses in the country, most around Buenos Aires and including such well-known names as the Jockey Club, Olivos and Hurlingham. On the Atlantic coast in Mar del Plata are a couple of courses that have held international events, and Patagonia has excellent resort courses such as Llao Lloa, Arelauquen and Chapelco (a Nicklaus design), as well as the 9-hole course in Ushuaia.

The official currency of Argentina is the peso (ISO: code: ARS), denoted by the symbol "$". It is divided into 100 centavos. Coins come in 5, 10, 25, 50 centavos and 1 and 2 peso denominations. Banknotes are issued in values of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 pesos. Be prepared to receive small change in the form of golosinas (candies/sweets), especially in Chinese supermarkets.

Since 1969 thirteen zeroes have been dropped (a factor of ten trillion), the peso has been revalued again and again, and its name changed. The official exchange rate hovered around AR$3 = US$1 from 2002 to 2008, dipped to about AR$4 = US$1 from 2009 to 2011 and reached AR$6 in Nov 2013. In December 2015, all currency restrictions were lifted.

In 2018 and 2019 the peso lost more than half of its value against euro and US dollar. Due to this history of inflation, Wikivoyage is no longer updating prices in pesos. Any price information more than a year old must be treated with a lot of caution and it probably unreliable. Luckily, most accommodations post their prices in US dollars online—prepare yourself for discussions on the corresponding price in pesos.

Banks are generally open from 10:00 to 15:00 and only on weekdays.

ATMs are the most convenient but on the other hand quite expensive source of cash. In general, ATMs in Argentina charge very high additional fee when using a credit card, independently of your credit card conditions at home. ATMs should be used only in banks or ATMs that acted as the banks' branches. Just like in most cities, independent ATMs (not affiliated with any bank) are considered less safe.

Most ATMs strictly limit withdrawals on foreign cards. With RedBrou, you may be able to get out only AR$3,000 per day with a fee of around AR$200, which will be added to your withdrawal amount (Mar 2018). The Link ATMs often only allow withdrawals of AR$1,000 with a fee of AR$120, which makes it a staggering 12% fee just for withdrawing money, and that is in addition to the foreign currency fee you have to pay with your bank back home. So, you are better off with RedBrou, but plan to visit the ATM often or hunt around for a more relaxed limit. Apparently, the Citibank multipurpose ATMs are the only ones allowing withdrawals over AR$3,000 per day (probably up to the limit of your card).

Sometimes the machines also dispense US dollars for international bank cards that are members of the Cirrus and PLUS networks. Visitors from Brazil can find many Banco Itaú agencies all over the city.

Cash exchange rates for US dollars are very competitive, and it may be more advantageous to simply bring a large sum of US currency, considering the high fees of ATMs. It is easy to stack up US dollars in Uruguay because its ATMs do allow US dollar withdrawals at no or a low fee. However, of course then you will also have to watch this money all the time. So, a mix of both, US dollars and ATM, is probably the best.

Exchange rates at official Bureau de Change in Argentina are very competitive with rates being barely 1% off the official interbank rate. Also, many of the larger banks (like Banco de la Nación Argentina) exchange money at competitive rates, even euros. As of 2019, expect to lose 10-20% when buying Argentenian pesos with Chilean pesos as most banks do not exchange them. The bigger the city the easier it gets to exchange money, even the oddest currencies—see Buenos Aires#Buy. You might need a passport with banks though.

Black market currency dealers, called arbolitos ("little trees") and operating from cuevas ("caves"), can be found yelling "Cambio", with Florida Street in Buenos Aires being particularly notorious. These so-called "blue dollar" (dólar blue) currency exchanges became popular in the past when the peso was pegged at an artificially high level and the government heavily restricted currency exchange. However, in 2015 the government lifted most of the currency restrictions and unified the exchange rates. Accordingly, the blue dollar is no longer recommended as an exchange option, since you can get pesos anywhere with a similar rate. If you choose to go down this route anyway, remember that it is illegal, so take all possible precautions to avoid getting ripped off and remember that your money may be confiscated if you are busted by the police.

Nevertheless, hostel owners will sometimes be willing to exchange US dollars, since they will save the dollars for themselves instead of their devaluing local currency. Still check the notes received and the current and up-to-date rates.

Credit cards are used less commonly in Argentina than in the USA or Europe. Many businesses in the city accept them and you can expect any major chain - supermarkets, fast food, clothing stores, etc. - to also accept them. The standard 10% tip in restaurant is often expected to be paid in cash, even when you pay the bill by credit card. Bear in mind, tipping is only expected when the establishment does not already charge you for "cubiertos" (literally, utensils. In practice it means "table service").

If you use a debit or credit card, the checkout operator in places like supermarkets will often require you to present both your card and a form of identification such as a drivers' licence. Present both simultaneously at checkout and with confidence. A lack of confidence will lead to a request for your passport as identification. For larger purchases such as long-distance bus tickets you will need to present your passport and your credit card. Although this makes shopping difficult, do try to keep your passport in a location such as a hotel-room safe.

PIN cards have become the most common ones and should be accepted anywhere, as well as magnetic band cards. PINs should be accepted but if not, the shop attendant will ask you to sign the invoice. Contactless credit cards are not commonly accepted as of Nov 2016.

They are rarely used and may be difficult to exchange, but there is an American Express office at San Martin Plaza in Buenos Aires that will take American Express' Traveller's Checks. Also, Banco Frances will cash them with proper identification.

There is no obligation to tip in Argentina although it is considered customary. Some restaurants already charge customers with "cubiertos" (table service). In these cases tipping is not expected. Sometimes rounding up or telling them to "keep the change" is enough on small checks, deliveries, gasoline tenders, etc. Leaving at least a 10% tip is considered kind and polite at restaurants, cafes, hotels, beauty parlors, barbers, ushers and car-washes. Tipping bartenders is not customary. Leaving no tip when feeling unsatisfied is not an uncommon gesture, and it's interpreted as such. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped.

Another local custom is to tip the ushers in theatres and opera houses when they're also in charge of handing out the programmes; one may request one without tipping, at the risk of being considered cheap.

Service fees are included in most upscale hotels and restaurants, usually around 15%. These fees can appear in the menu as "valor del cubierto", "servicio", or simply "cubierto". By law it is mandatory that this item is represented in the same text size as the rest of the menu items.

The fashion and art scenes are booming. Buenos Aires' signature European-South American style overflows with unique art pieces, art deco furniture, and antiques. Local fashion designers, who are becoming a source of inspiration for the U.S. and European high-end markets, compose their collections based on lots of leather, wools, woven fabrics and delicate laces with a gaucho twist. At times, the exchange rate can present good value for international tourists.

Fashionable clothing and leather products can be found in most commercial areas; jackets, boots and shoes are easily available. However, Buenos Aires has a relatively mild climate, so truly cold-weather gear is harder to find here. Long coats or heavy gloves may not be in stock; similarly, jeans and other basics have a thin construction compared with those in cooler countries. The Andes regions and Patagonia are considerably colder in the winter, so thick clothing is much easier to find here.

Electronics are not cheap, as they are subject to heavy import tariffs. The price of music, books, and movies lags slightly behind changes in the exchange rate and can offer a bargain if the volatile exchange rates are in your favour.

Most free-standing shops in Buenos Aires are open 10:00-20:00 on weekdays, and some of them also Saturdays and Sundays, depending on what area of the city they are in. Enclosed malls, however, set their own hours, and are also open on the weekends.

Most places outside of the city of Buenos Aires, where most stores remain open during a siesta, still observe a siesta from approximately noon until 16:00; almost all businesses are closed during this time. The precise closing hours vary from store to store, according to the preferences of the owner. Shops and offices generally open again in the evening until 21:00 or 22:00.

Argentinian breakfasts are somewhat light compared to what those from English-speaking countries are accustomed to. Typically, it consists of a hot drink (coffee, tea, milk) with some toast, medialunas (croissants, literally "halfmoons") or bread.

Hotels typically provide a free buffet consisting of coffee, tea, drinkable yogurt, assorted pastries and toast, fruit and perhaps cereal. These kinds of breakfasts are also readily available in the many cafes.

Lunch is a big meal in Argentina, typically taken in the early afternoon. Lunch is so big because dinner is not until late: 20:30 to 21:00 at the earliest, more commonly at 22:00 or even later. Most restaurants do not serve food until then except for pastries or small ham-and-cheese toasted sandwiches (tostados), for afternoon tea 18:00-20:00. Tea is the one meal that is rarely skipped. A few cafés do offer heartier fare all day long, but don't expect anything more substantial than pizza or a milanesa (breaded meat fillets) or a lomito (steak sandwiches) outside of normal Argentine mealtimes. Dinner is usually eaten at 22:00 and typically consists of appetizers, a main course, and desserts.

North Americans should beware that Argentinians use the term "entrée" to refer to appetizers. This is common outside of North America but can surprise some Canadians and most Americans. In Argentina the main dish is a "plato principal".

The appetizers in Argentina typically consist of empanadas (baked pastries with a meat filling), chorizo or morcilla (meat or blood sausage), and assortments of achuras (entrails). For a main dish, there is usually bife de chorizo (sirloin or New York Strip steak) and various types of salads. Dessert is often a custard with dulce de leche and whipped cream topping.

Beef is a prominent component of the Argentine diet, and Argentine beef is world-famous for good reason. Argentina and Uruguay are the top 2 countries in meat per capita consumption in the world. Definitely check out Argentine barbecue: asado, sometimes also called parrillada, because it is made on a parrilla, or grill. Food in Argentina is virtually synonymous with beef. The beef is some of the best in the world, and there are many different cuts of meat. Lomo (tenderloin) and bife de chorizo are excellent. "Costillas" (ribs) is considered by locals the real "asado" meat cut and is very tasty. North Americans will see that costillas are different to those at home. Argentinians cut ribs perpendicular to the bone. Having a parrillada dinner is one of the best ways to experience Argentine cuisine; preferably with a bottle of wine and a good amount of salads. In some popular areas, parrilladas are available from small buffets, or street carts and barbecue trailers. Skewers and steak sandwiches can then be purchased to takeaway.

Given that a large portion of Argentines are of Italian, Spanish and French descent, such fare is very widespread and of high quality; pizzerias and specialized restaurants are very common. A convention observed in Argentina is to treat the pasta and sauce as separate items, with each charged separately.

Cafés, bakeries, and ice-cream shops (heladerías) are very popular. Inexpensive and high-quality snacks can be found in most commercial areas, and many have outdoor seating areas. Empanadas (turnovers) containing meats, cheeses, or many other fillings can be bought cheaply from restaurants or lunch counters. The Alfajor is a must try snack of a two cookies (biscuits) with a dulce de leche filling and can be purchased at any local kiosco.

Smoking is now prohibited in all of Buenos Aires' restaurants and all of Mendoza's restaurants. In most cities, it's forbidden in all public buildings (cafés, shops, banks, bus stations, etc.), so it's better to ask before smoking anywhere.

Signature/national dishes

• Asado
• Empanada (baked pastries with a meat, cheese and/or vegetable filling)
• Milanesa (breaded meat fillets)
• Humita
• Chorizo (sausage) and Choripan (with bread)
• Tarta de Jamón y Queso (baked pastry crust with ham and cheese filling)
• Guiso Criollo - with meat, vegetables and fruit

Desserts and snacks

• Dulce de leche
• Alfajores
• Helado
• Flan con Dulce de Leche
• Torta de Ricotta
• Facturas

Asado

Empanada (baked pastries with a meat, cheese and/or vegetable filling)

Milanesa (breaded meat fillets)

Humita

Chorizo (sausage) and Choripan (with bread)

Tarta de Jamón y Queso (baked pastry crust with ham and cheese filling)

Guiso Criollo - with meat, vegetables and fruit

Dulce de leche

Alfajores

Helado

Flan con Dulce de Leche

Torta de Ricotta

Facturas

Yerba mate (pronounced in two syllables, 'MAH-tae') is a traditional Argentine herbal drink, prepared in a hollowed-out gourd which is passed around in a social setting and drunk through a metal straw. Although usually drunk hot, mate can also be served cold, usually known as "tereré"; the version that is preferred in Paraguay. Mate contains less caffeine than coffee, but contains other vitamins and minerals that give it a stimulating effect, particularly to those who are not used to it. It is naturally rather bitter, so it's not uncommon to add sugar, though it's polite to ask before adding sugar to it. The drinking of mate with friends is an important social ritual in Argentina. The informal tea ceremony is led by a "cebador" or server and people arrange themselves in a "rueda" or wheel.

Argentina is renowned for its excellent selection of wine. The most popular being Mendoza which is rated among the worlds most popular regions due to its high altitude, volcanic soils and proximity to the Andes Mountains. The terrain seems to complement the European grape varietals with interesting notes not present when produced in other climates, this allows the Argentine wine to be positioned in a league of its own. The best way to experience and understand the selection of Argentine varietals is one of the many tasting events.

The legal drinking age is officially 18, although most establishments will serve anyone approximately 16 or older. Most restaurants serve a broad range of liquors. Beer is offered in drought form in a chopp (small glass) or served in bottles or cans, and is typically a light, easily drinkable lager. The most popular locally made brands of beer are Quilmes, Isenbeck, Schneider and Brahma (although it's Brazilian). Widely-available imports include Warsteiner, Heineken, Budweiser and Corona. There are now many small pubs and bars in Buenos Aires that brew beer on premises, but most of these offer a poor quality product compared to what is widely available in parts of Europe and the USA. In the Buenos Aires area, the Buller Brewing Company in Recoleta and the Antares Brewery in Mar del Plata offer excellent handcrafted English-style ales. Ask if there are "cervezas artesanales", locally hand crafted beers.

Fernet is widely consumed by Argentinians, especially in Córdoba, Santa Fe and Buenos Aires. It came from Italy, and is a very bitter drink made from herbs, with 40% alcohol and dark brown in colour. Due to its bitter taste, it is usually mixed with Coke (served in bars, pubs, clubs), and if you go to an Argentinian house they will have Fernet and Coke to offer you. Also, Fernet is usually served as a digestif after a meal, but may also be enjoyed with coffee and espresso, or mixed into coffee and espresso drinks. It may be enjoyed at room temperature or with ice.

Cider (sidra) is the typical drink at celebrations, especially at Christmas. On other important occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries or weddings, sidra is the drink chosen for the toast.

Cafés often have fresh-squeezed fruit juices, which is otherwise hard to find.

Facebook has an Argentina & Chile Backpacker / Traveler group where you can find other travellers and up-to-date information on the country. In general, also see South America#Cope.

Argentina has a relatively high traffic mortality rate, with about 20 road deaths per day, and with more than 120,000 injured people each year, including tourists. Pedestrians should exercise extreme caution. Do not jaywalk if you do not feel comfortable, and be careful crossing even when allowed.

There is plenty of activity and foot traffic throughout the night. Nice areas have a very thorough police presence, perhaps one officer per 3 blocks, plus store security and auxiliary patrols. Public security in all major cities like Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Rosario is handled by the Federal Police and the National Gendarmerie or the Naval Prefecture, especially in the Puerto Madero area of Buenos Aires.

As in any large city, certain particular neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires and other cities are very dangerous. Some shady neighbourhoods include Retiro, Villa Lugano, La Boca and Villa Riachuelo. Ask trusted locals, such as hotel desk staff or police officers, for advice. Pay attention to your environment and trust your instincts. If an area seems questionable, leave.

Many people in the street and in the subway hand out small cards with horoscopes, lottery numbers, pictures of saints, or cute drawings on them. If you take the card, the person will ask for payment. You can simply return the card along with a no, gracias. or simply in silence if your Spanish is not good. Persistent beggars are usually not dangerous; a polite but firm no tengo nada ("I don't have anything") and/or hand gestures are usually enough.

Most crimes involve petty theft (pickpockets) in the subway and on crowded city streets, and especially inhabitant from Buenos Aires have a story to tell, which is also why many people carry their bags in front of them. In most cases, if your wallet is stolen, you won't even notice until hours later. However, paying attention to your stuff, will mostly prevent this from happening. Never hang your purse or bag from the back of your chair in a cafe or restaurant—stealthy theft from such bags is common. Keep your purse or backpack on the floor between your legs while you eat. Petty theft is common but seldom, like in a few other European cities like Paris or Naples. Violent robberies are uncommon, and mostly only happen where you would expect them, at night in a lone street in the wrong quarter. In the unlikely event that you are confronted by a mugger, simply hand over your valuables; they are replaceable and the muggers may be on drugs, drunk, have a knife or a gun.

Popular demonstrations are very common in Buenos Aires, and are best avoided by tourists as these demonstrations sometimes grow into violent confrontations with the police or National Gendarmerie, particularly as they approach the government buildings in the city centre.

Since 2005 the government has cracked down on illegal taxis very successfully. Petty crime continues (like taking indirect routes or, less commonly, giving counterfeits in change). Taxis that loiter in front of popular tourist destinations like the National Museum are looking for tourists. Stay away from them. Your chance of falling prey to a scam increases in these situations. Stopping a taxi a block or two away on a typical city street where others locals would do the same is good choice. Also having small bills will help you avoid issues mentioned, as well you will often find taxis that don't have change for 100 peso notes.

Carry some ID with you, but not your original passport; a copy (easily provided by your own hotel) should be enough.

'Villas' or ghettos, usually composed of wooden or steel plate shacks, should also be avoided due to the high crime rate in these areas. Should you want to visit one of these, you should only do so as part of a guided tour with a reputable guide or tour company.

Drug use, while legal in Argentina, is frowned upon by most inhabitants. Alcohol is generally the vice of choice here. Paco, a crack-like mix of by products from the cocaine manufacturing process, is a serious problem, and its users should be avoided at all costs.

It is known that in 2007 security operators at airports were stealing valuable objects such as iPods, digital cameras, cellular phones, sun glasses, jewellery and laptops while scanning the checked luggage of passengers.

Police officers will often try to get you to bribe them during a traffic stop, although can can just pay for the ticket they will give it to you without any problems.

• Ambulance (Immediate Health Emergency Service, SAME in Buenos Aires): 107
• Firemen (National Firemen Corps): 100
• Police (Argentine Federal Police): 911 mostly, might be 101 in some smaller cities
• Tourist Police: +54 11 4346-5748 / 0800 999 5000

Visiting Argentina doesn't raise any major health worries. Certain vaccinations may be necessary for visitors, depending on what parts of Argentina you plan to visit. Yellow fever vaccinations are recommended for those visiting the Northern forests. If you missed your vaccination at home, it is possible to receive a free yellow fever shot in Argentina, in one of the bigger cities. This can be of advantage if you travel further to other Amazonian countries. However, be prepared to be queue at the very end—first the locals are treated. Also, there are specific days of the week when the vaccination takes place.

Dengue, a mosquito borne illness, is a serious and potentially fatal illness, but only a risk in the far north. Mosquito bites should be prevented at all costs in the far north, where they have many bug repellents, from lotions to sprays, as well as citronella candles, and 'espirales' (a spiral shaped incense). These are purchasable at most kiosks (kioskos) or pharmacies.

Different climate conditions might take your body by surprise, so be aware of the weather before you arrive. An upset stomach is the most you're likely to have to worry about as your body adjusts to local micro-organisms in the food.

It's also best to ease yourself gently into the local diet – sudden quantities of red meat, red wine, strong coffee and sweet pastries can be very unsettling for a stomach used to gentler repasts – and though tap water in Argentina is safe to drink, if sometimes heavily chlorinated, you may prefer to err on the side of caution in rural areas in the north of the country.

Although oral contraceptives are sold over the counter, without a prescription, a woman considering taking them is well advised first to consult a wise and licensed physician about their proper use, as well as possible contraindications and side effects.

Hospitals are free. They won't charge you for any treatment, but it is customary to offer a contribution, if you have the means. In public/state run hospitals, it is now illegal for any hospital employee to receive or even ask for payment. This does not include private health care facilities, or for medicines.

Sun block is recommended in the north of the country, where the heat can be intense with 38°C (100°F) common in some areas. Heat rash, dehydration, and sunburns are common for first time visitors.

Argentines are very engaging people who may ask very personal questions within minutes after first meeting someone, and they would expect you to reciprocate. Failing to do so would indicate disinterest in the other person.

Don't be offended if someone calls you a "boludo"/"boluda". Even though it's a swear word it also means "dude"/"buddy"/"mate". Argentinian people are infamous for the amount of cursing they do, so if they are talking to you don't pay attention to the cursing. If Argentinians are mad, teasing you or making fun of you, you will tell by the expression of their face or the tone of their voice as well as even more cursing than usual.

Don't be offended if an Argentinian says things to you in a very direct manner: this is very usual among locals and sometimes offends foreigners. Argentinians are very emotional and passionate, both when telling good things or bad things to anyone.

Cheek kissing is very common in Argentina, especially in bigger cities, among and between women and men. People make contact with right cheeks, and make a light "kiss sound" but not touch the cheek with their lips (only once, two kisses -right and then left- is very rare). When two women, or opposite sexes first meet, it is not uncommon to kiss. Two men will first shake hands if they do not know each other, but will probably kiss when departing, especially if they have spoken for a while. Male friends cheek kiss every time when greeting, it is like a sign of trust. Trying to shake hands when offered a kiss will be considered odd, but never rude especially if you are an obvious foreigner.

In the rest of the country, regular handshaking applies. Also women will greet by kissing as described above, but it's reserved to other women and to men they are acquainted with.

Since some Argentinians are die-hard football fans, try to avoid wearing soccer jerseys since encountering a team's rivals in a bad area can be confronting. You can wear European football club jerseys with an Argentinian player's name on the back (for example: a Manchester City jersey with Tevez's name, a Barcelona jersey with Mascherano's name, etc.). If you really want to wear a jersey, the safest plan is to wear an Argentina World Cup jersey. The Perú national football colours (and jersey design) are almost identical to those of local team River Plate, so be cautious as to avoid misunderstandings. Also avoid wearing Brazil or England national team jerseys, as Argentinians have a very heated rivalry with these countries that can often result in violence.

Argentinians generally take a relaxed attitude towards time. This can be unsettling for visitors from countries where punctuality is highly valued. You should expect that your Argentine contacts will be at least 10 to 15 minutes late for any appointment. This is considered normal in Argentina and does not signify any lack of respect for the relationship. Of course, this does not apply to business meetings.

If you are invited to a dinner or party at, say 21:00, it does not mean that you should be present at 21:00, but instead that you should not arrive before 21:00. You'll be welcomed any time afterwards. Arriving to a party one hour late is normally OK and sometimes expected.

This attitude extends to any scheduled activity in Argentina. Plays, concerts usually get going around half an hour after the scheduled time. Long distance buses leave on time though. Short-distance public transportation like city buses and the subway do not even bother with time estimates; they arrive when they arrive! Factor these elements into your calculations of how long things will take.

Delayed bus or train departures are not uncommon, especially in big cities. This is normally not a problem, as in general no one will expect you to be on time anyway. However, long-distance bus departures almost always leave on time (even if they arrive late), so do not count on lack of punctuality to save you when arriving late at bus terminals.

Avoid talking about the "Falkland Islands" (Las Islas Malvinas) including the Falklands War and dispute, with their English name. These are very sensitive subjects for many Argentines and can cause a strong reaction.

Avoid wearing any English and British symbols due to the above mentioned reasons. English and British flags as well as English national football (soccer) tops are definitely to be avoided.

Avoid talking about the Perón and Kirchner years and also about politics, the military junta and religion in general.

Avoid comparing Argentina with its neighbours Brazil and Chile, because they are considered rivals - especially in the economic sphere.

Avoid comparing regional foods. This too can be a sensitive subject, as recipes and key ingredients vary from province to province.

Argentines take pride in their beef, and asking for ketchup or barbecue sauce on a steak is actually disrespectful. You should ask for salsa criolla or chimichurri.

Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2010, and Buenos Aires is LGBT-friendly enough that it's been called the "gay capital of Latin America". But in small towns, or the more conservative north of the country, some people (especially older generations) might be shocked by public displays of homosexual affection.

Religious sites: People do not have to cover their heads when entering a church or temple; however, wearing shorts, miniskirts and sleeveless shirts, as well as close physical contact between sexes is not encouraged. Beach: Sunbathing topless is not a common custom, although you can change cloths on the beach.

You can get a prepaid Movistar / Claro / Personal SIM card for a few pesos / free at phone shops, all you pay is about ARS20 (about US$5) for your initial credits. Inserting the SIM card into your unlocked mobile phone should work, although to register the SIM you might have to enter your passport (or any 9 digit) number - you then have your personal Argentinian phone number, which is very useful to keep in touch with other travellers, either by calling or by writing text messages. Calls cost around ARS1 per minute. Still, having to register the SIM card is extremely rare.

Receiving calls is usually free, except for international calls, and some cross network / inter-city calls - hence buying a SIM card purely to keep in touch with people overseas may not be worth it.

To reload you can buy small cards with secret numbers at many kiosks, but the easiest way is just to ask for "Recarga Virtual" and tell the shop assistant your Phone number and company, and the amount of pesos you want to recharge.

Not related to mobile phones, there are similar cards with credits for international calls. You get them at so called locutorios, where you can also use the phone booths. You dial a free number to connect to the service, then your secret number for the credits, and then the international phone number you want to call. Using these cards, a one-hour call to Europe will cost about 10 Pesos (3 US-Dollars). Don't call without such cards or even from your hotel - it will be way more expensive.

The phone numbering plan in Argentina is hopelessly complicated for foreigners. Do check out the Wikipedia article about it to find out more.

• Directory Listing (The White Pages): 110
• International Operator: 000
• National Operator: 19
• Collect National Calls: 19 from regular phones, *19 from public phones
• Mobile phone numbers start with 15 or 11
• Regional code for Buenos Aires: 011

Other useful phone numbers include:

• Official Time: 113
• Consumer Advocacy: +54 11 5382-6216 or 6217

All 2 and 3-digit numbers are free, except the official time service (113).

All 0800 numbers are toll-free numbers, except if you call from a mobile phone.

Long distance calls from Argentina: You may use calling card, ARS0.18/min or ARS0.59/min for calling from Argentina to USA.

Most cafés and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi with an advertisement in their windows. All you need to do is buy a coffee and ask for the password. Public WiFi is also very common in Buenos Aires with great speeds. The network name will be BA Wifi