Practical hints

* Don’t go on the excursion unless you are sure of the price and the services agreed because, although you will find serious and responsible operators, unscrupulous ones abound too.
* You can check in hotels if you find you need the services of a travel agency –there are more than 4.000 of them registered in the country-. Hotels with three start or more tend to work with serious agencies, and some have offices in the hotels themselves. You will also find travel agencies in the airports.
* It is usual for there to be different rates depending on whether it is high or low season; it is worth remembering this, because the differences are substantial.
* As occurs in most countries in the world, hotels have the habit of excessively overcharging on telephone rates, and take no notice of discounts for certain hours of the day, or for holidays.
* In Buenos Aires and in the other major cities, public telephone boxes have sprung up all over the place during years. From these, it is possible to make calls to anywhere in the country and to foreign destinations too, comfortably seated and with the possibility to take notes. Fax and Internet services are also available.
* If you wish to see one of the excellent shows or plays that are on throughout the year in Buenos Aires, it is best to make advance reservations. These can be made through your hotel. *Remember that most theatres have no performances on Mondays, and that reductions are available on certain days.
* In the Federal Capital and other major cities, the taxi meter shows the cost of the journey. Make sure that this is working, for as soon as some drivers realize that you are a foreigner, they will try to cheat you. To be safe, ask the driver approximately how much the journey will cost, and discuss the price if you think it is too much. And learn and old trick used by the locals: if you know exactly where you are going, clearly state at least a couple of roads on the way so that the taxi driver will realize that you know where you are. This way you will avoid unnecessary trips.
* “Remise” agencies abound and this is a much safer way of travelling if you do not know your way around. Their numbers have multiplied rapidly in Buenos Aires, and the boom has even spread to other cities too. Some agencies have exclusive contracts with hotels.
* The electricity supply is at 220 volts; extreme care is necessary with electrical appliances.
One golden rule for tourists: never carry very much cash around with you. There are pickpockets known as “pungistas” who are particularly fond of busy trains, buses, and “subtes” (underground trains), so be on the lookout and take precautions.
* Although crime rates in Argentina are much lower than in other countries in Latin America, violence does, of course, exist, and especially in Buenos Aires. Robberies on roads and in service stations are becoming more common. It is advisable not to travel at night, and not to travel alone. If you are driving a vehicle, always try to follow a truck or other vehicles.
* Don’t forget that Argentina is also a third world country. This means that you will see streets and public places that are none too clean, and beggars in plenty as soon as you get but a few blocks away from the more elegant areas. It is not very pleasant, but at the same time it is nothing to get frightened of.
* Some places are especially attractive for robbers: railway stations and minibuses. You need eyes in the back of your head in these places.
* If you need tourist information, provincial capitals and other main tourist centres have reliable information offices.
* Parking has to be paid for in various sectors of the federal capital and in other cities. Check on how to do this when you are there.
* In Córdoba, for example, “obleas” are distributed to tourist in high season, enabling them to park free of charge. They can be obtained from hotels and in the airport.
* Nautical activities are very important in Argentina, no town on the coast is without its clubs specializing in fishing, rowing, regattas, etc. but if you are interested, then details are readily available in the respective tourist information centres or in the provincial representations in Buenos Aires.
* Despite the fact that Argentina has a very long coastline, do not hope to go diving here. It is not an activity that is particularly popular, due primarily to the low water temperatures. Three diving stations exist: Las Grutas, Puerto Madryn, and Puerto Pirámide. The necessary contacts can be made in the respective areas if you are interested. There are a couple of specialist clubs, and some others that have diving departments.


Driving tips for Argentinian roads

In the northwest, distances tend to be deceptive and local information unreliable. Throughout the northern part of the country, “alconafta” is used for cars –this is a mixture of naphtha and sugar alcohol-, which can cause problems for some models.
In the south you will find rough, unsurfaced roads which can change dramatically in a matter of a few days if it rains or snows, and even if there is a strong wind. Bends can become very dangerous. If you are travelling in winter it is essential to take chains with you, in case you get stuck. Remember that on mountain tracks vehicles going up have priority.
In the more remote areas it is not looked on well if you ask a local something from “inside” your car. To be polite you should get out, greet the person, and then ask what it is you want to know.



Glossary

Afanar / afano: steal, rob, act of stealing.
Apoliyar: sleep.
Bacán: wealthy.
Bife: a cut of meat. In figurative sense, a slap in the face.
Bombilla: metal tube for sucking “mate” (see below).
Bondi: bus.
Cana / vigilante: policeman.
Canillita: newspaper seller.
Catrera: bed.
Coimear: bribe.
Colectivo: bus for short or medium distance passenger transport.
Confitería /café: place for social gathering where drinks, sandwiches, snacks, etc. are served.
Croto / linyera: tramp.
Curda: drinking, spree, binge. Also drunkard.
Estancia: agricultural establishment covering large area.
Fajar: punish.
Galletita: small sweet or salted delicacy sold in packets in street kiosks and supermarkets.
Guita: money.
Laburar: to work.
Lunfardo: popular Buenos Aires slang. Today, a number of terms have spread throughout the country.
Mate: receptacle made of wood, metal, or from marrow or calabash. Also the drink made from the mate plant which is sucked from this receptacle through a “bombilla” (see above).
Morfar: to eat.
Payador: someone who improvises songs, usually on country topics, to a guitar accompaniment.
Pibe: child.
Pilcha: clothes.
Pucho: cigarette.
Remises: chauffeur-driven cars hired by the kilometre or by the hour.
Subte: abbreviation for underground trains.
Tachero: taxi driver
Vieja: mother
Yerba: name of the plant used in preparation of “mate” drink (see above). In Argentina, this plant is cultivated industrially.
Yeta: evil influence. Bad luck.


Consulates


Austria
French 3671 – tel: 4802-7195/7096/1400

Belgium
Defensa 113, P. 8 – tel: 4331-0066/69

Bolivia
Belgrano 1670, P. 1 – tel: 4383-7038/5595

Brazil
C. Pellegrini 1363, P. 5 – tel: 4394-5260/5264/5270/5227

Canada
Tagle 2828 – tel: 4805-3032

Colombia
Santa Fe 782 – tel: 4805-3032

Costa Rica
Libertad 1245, Iº “A”– tel: 4814-1660

Chile
San Martín 439, P. 9 – tel: 4394-6582/6371

Cuba
Virrey del Pino 1810 – Tel: 4782-9048/9089/9149

Denmark
L. N. Alem 1974, P. 9 – tel: 4312-6901/6935/7680

Dominican Republic
Santa Fe 1206, P. 2 – tel: 4811-4669

Ecuador
Quintana 585, P. 10 – tel: 4804-6408

El Salvador
Santa Fe 882, P. 12 – tel: 4394-7628

Germany
Villanueva 1055 – Tel: 4771-5054/59

France
Santa Fe 846, P. 3 and 4 – tel: 4312-2409

Guatemala
Santa Fe 830, P. 5 – tel: 4313-9160/9180

Haiti
Av. Figueroa Alcorta 3297 – tel: 4802-0211/9266/5979

Honduras
Santa Fe 1385, P. 4 – tel: 442-1643/2800

Israel
Av. De Mayo 701, P. 10 – tel: 4342-1465

Italy
M. T. De Alvear 1149, P. 5 – tel: 4325-6132/36

Jamaica
Esmeralda 1066, P. 9 “H”

Japan
Paseo Colón 275, P. 11 and 9 – tel: 4343-2561/64

Mexico
Larrea 1230 – tel: 4821-7170/72/36

Netherlands
Av. De Mayo 701, P. 19 – Tel:4334-3474/4000/3360

Nicaragua
Av. Corrientes 2548,P. 4 “I” – tel: 4951-3463

Norway
Esmeralda 909, P. 3 “B” – tel: 4312-1904/7418

Panama
Santa Fe 1461, P. 5 – tel: 442-8543

Paraguay
Viamonte 1851, P 5 – Tel: 442-8543

Peru
San Martín 969, P. 2 – tel: 4311-7575

Portugal
Córdoba 315, P. 3 – tel: 4312-3524

Spain
C. Pellegrini 1163 – tel: 4811-0078/70/4079/3884

Sweden
Corrientes 330, P. 3 – tel: 4311-3080/88/89

Switzerland
Santa Fe 846 P. 10 and 11 – tel: 4311-6491/95

United Kingdom
Dr. Luis Agote 2412 – tel: 4803/7070/7071

United States
Av. Colombia 4300 – tel: 4774-8811/8511/9099/7611

Uruguay
Las Heras 1907 – tel: 4803-6033/37

Venezuela
Esmeralda 909, P. 4 “A” –tel: 4311-0450 – 4312-2786