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Before you go to Argentina: what to know

Must know

  • Pay with a foreign Visa/Mastercard in pesos (choose ARS, not USD): foreign cards get the MEP 'tourist' rate, now within a few % of the blue rate since controls were lifted in April 2025.
  • ATM withdrawals with foreign cards are expensive (high fixed fees, low limits) — bring clean USD 100 notes for cash needs.
  • Foreign tourists don't pay 21% VAT on registered hotel stays paid with a foreign card or international transfer (not Airbnb).
  • Carry travel health insurance: Decree 366/2025 lets authorities require it from non-resident visitors.
  • Watch for pickpockets and motorbike phone snatching in Buenos Aires; don't change money with street touts on Calle Florida.

Entry and visas

UK, US, EU, Russian, and Ukrainian citizens enter visa-free for up to 90 days (extendable once at Migraciones). Chinese and Indian citizens need a visa. No reciprocity fee is charged. Non-resident visitors may be asked for proof of health insurance.

Passport validity: Valid for the whole stay.

At the border you may be asked for

  • You may need to state that you have health insurance and show the policy.
  • Download the Migraciones entry record (comprobante de ingreso) — hotels need it for the VAT exemption.

Customs

  • Declare cash or travellers' cheques over USD 10,000.
  • Fresh food, plants and animal products are restricted (SENASA); bags are scanned.
  • Carry prescriptions for medicines.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, argentina.gob.ar ↗, viajaresim.com ↗

Money

Cash and cards are both common. Cards are widely accepted.

Payment networks: Visa, Mastercard, Amex

Apple Pay — works in some places · Google Pay — works in some places

Where to exchange money

  • Paying by foreign card in ARS (MEP/tourist rate applied)
  • Clean, new USD 100 notes at licensed exchange houses (casas de cambio)
  • Money-transfer services to yourself (e.g. Western Union) for larger cash sums

Where not to exchange

  • Foreign-card ATM withdrawals (high fees, low limits)
  • Street 'cambio' touts on Calle Florida (fake notes)
  • Choosing USD at card terminals (worse conversion)

ATMs: Argentine ATMs charge foreign cards a high fixed fee per withdrawal with low per-transaction limits; avoid or use a card that refunds ATM fees.

Tipping: About 10% in restaurants, usually in cash (card tips often impossible). Round up taxis; small tips for porters and guides.

  • Some shops and restaurants give 10–20% discount for cash (efectivo).
  • Hotel VAT (21%) exemption: registered hotels only, paid with a foreign card or international transfer, show passport and entry record.
  • Russian Mir cards don't work.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: riotimesonline.com ↗, argentineunveiled.blog ↗, argentina.travel ↗, bcra.gob.ar ↗

Rules and bans

Prohibited

  • Any drug trafficking (severe penalties)
  • Removing fossils, archaeological items or protected wildlife
  • Drones without ANAC registration in many areas

Laws visitors break unknowingly

  • Carry ID (passport or copy).
  • Zero-alcohol driving law applies nationwide (Ley de Alcohol Cero).
  • Smoking banned indoors in public places.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗

Culture and clothing

Religion: Mostly Roman Catholic, largely secular in daily life.

Clothing: Stylish casual in Buenos Aires; cover shoulders in churches. Layers needed in Patagonia.

Etiquette

  • Greet with one cheek kiss among friends; handshake on first meeting.
  • Dinner starts late (21:00–22:00 or later).
  • Avoid raising the Falklands/Malvinas casually — very sensitive.
  • Sharing mate is a social ritual; say 'gracias' only when you've had enough.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗

Climate

Southern Hemisphere seasons: humid hot summers and mild winters in Buenos Aires; subtropical north (Iguazú); arid north-west and Mendoza; cold, windy Patagonia (best Nov–Mar); ski season Jul–Sep in the Andes.

Month by month
  • January: Jan: summer, Buenos Aires ~20–30°C; Patagonia peak
  • February: Feb: hot; Patagonia good
  • March: Mar: warm; Mendoza harvest
  • April: Apr: mild autumn, pleasant
  • May: May: cool
  • June: Jun: winter, BA ~8–15°C
  • July: Jul: cold; ski season (Bariloche)
  • August: Aug: cold; skiing
  • September: Sep: spring; whales at Península Valdés
  • October: Oct: pleasant spring
  • November: Nov: warm; Patagonia opens
  • December: Dec: summer starts

Best season: October–April for most regions (Nov–Mar for Patagonia); July–September for skiing.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: en.wikipedia.org ↗

What to pack

  • Clean, undamaged USD 100 notes
  • Card with no foreign transaction fee
  • Travel health insurance policy
  • Wind/rain jacket and layers for Patagonia
  • Type I adapter (Type C also fits many sockets)

Do not bring / prohibited to import

  • Damaged or old USD notes (refused)
  • Displaying phones on the street
  • Fresh food in luggage

Practical

Plugs: Type I (and C), 220 V, 50 Hz

Water: Tap water is safe in Buenos Aires and most cities; bottled in rural north.

Traffic: drives on the right

Mobile and eSIM: Claro, Personal and Movistar prepaid SIMs (passport); eSIMs available.

Apps: Uber, Cabify, DiDi, Google Maps, BA Cómo Llego, PedidosYa

Internet: No restrictions.

Health: No compulsory vaccinations; yellow fever vaccine recommended for Misiones (Iguazú) and some northern areas. Dengue outbreaks in summer.

Insurance: Health insurance may be requested from non-resident visitors (Decree 366/2025); public hospitals may charge foreigners.

Emergency: 911 police, 107 ambulance, 100 fire

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, travelhealthpro.org.uk ↗

Entry rules change. Before your trip, check the website of the embassy or immigration service of the country.