edit Argentina Travel Guide

• Buenos Aires Great food, shopping, night life, futbol (soccer), and best of all energetic and outgoing residents.
• Iguazu Falls Often considered the most amazing waterfall on earth, it is not the talles (Angel Falls) but there are more than 1.3 miles of waterfalls comming out of a tropical jungle.
• Patagonia One of the most impressive sights that you will ever see, there is truley world class hiking on the galciers down here.
  

Visa Requirements

Residents of the U.S., Canada, Western Europe and Australia can visit for 90 days no visa required. 

Customs and Immigration

By plane

Aerolíneas Argentinas and LAN Argentina Offer connections between Buenos Aires international airport, (Ezeiza) and many cities throughout South America, as well as North America and Europe.

If you plan on visiting Buenos Aires you will fly into the Ezeiza International Airport (EZE); if you're traveling to another location in Argentina you may have to travel from Ezeiza to the Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP). One problem is that these airports are located on opposite sides of the city, making transportation from one to the other with some time to consider. There are cheap shuttlebusses which take you there in about an hour, but travel time varies greatly depending on traffic. Keep in mind while flying out of Aeroparque that recently there have been many workers strikes at the airport and service has been notably unreliable. (updated 17/6/07)

You should be able to ride a motorcoach or hire a service taxi from one of the booths after you clear customs. The fixed rate for a taxi from Ezeiza international airport to Buenos Aires is 74 pesos, the rate from the Jorge Newbery domestic airport to town is 23 pesos. (prices 04/05/07)

• Ezeiza International Airport (EZE): (011) 5480-6111

If visiting another city there are a number of airports located throught the country. Many find it far easier to travel to a neighboring country and then take a short distance hop to the smaller airport. All major cities in Argentina and major tourist destinations like Perito Moreno and Iguazu Falls have airports nearby. There are several national airlines, with different levels of service. In general flying gets you everywhere fast and relatively cheap.

Passengers leaving Ezeiza Airport must pay a "Departure tax" of US$ 18 (US$ 8 to Uruguay and domestic flights) after check-in, on top of any boarding taxes already paid. Argentine pesos or US dollars are accepted.

By car

You can enter to Argentina from the borders shared with Brazil (north), Chile, (west), Paraguay and Uruguay.

By boat

Regular hydrofoils routes link Buenos Aires with Montevideo and Colonia in Uruguay. The company Buquebus has both a slow (3 hours) and rapid (1 hour) ferry service that departs several times a day to Colonia. Ferries depart from the downtown Buenos Aires neighborhood Puerto Madero.

By train

International coaches run from all the neighbouring countries.

• Retiro Bus Terminal: (011) 4310-0700

Retiro is enormous, more like an airport than the typical bus terminal. For long distance buses it is advisable to buy a ticket several days in advance of your trip. Be sure to arrive about 45 minutes before your departure and always ask at an information counter if your gate number is the same as printed on your ticket. You will be given a range of possible gate numbers (for example 17-27). Watch your belongings carefully at Retiro as it is always very crowded.

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.

European immigrants flowed into Argentina, particularly from Italy; by 1914 nearly 6 million people had come to the country.

After World War II, a long period of Peronist rule in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976.

Democracy returned in 1983 after the abortive attempt to wrest the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) from United Kingdom sovereignity.

A painful economic collapse 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. As of 2006, the country has stabilized under President Nestor Kirchner, and the economy has begun to recover.

As a general word or advice if you are goign to exchange money do so at a bank or a cambio, the people on the street are notorious for ripping off even the most savy traveler. 

Economy

Banking

Currency

The Argentine peso...at the time of this writing $1 USD = 3.1 Argentine Pesos 

Credit Cards

Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted but American Express is also accepted fairly widley. As a general rule most large restraunts and shops take credit cards, but small ones generally don't.

Warning: Some places add a service charge for using a credit card (Recargo) which ranges but sometimes it can be as steep at 10% of the charge. Always ask about the recargo before using your credit card. 

Tax

Tipping

About 10% for restraunts and less for a taxi. 

Shopping

The fashion and art scenes are booming. Buenos Aires' signature European-South American style overflows with unique art pieces, art deco furniture, and antiques. Creative and independent, 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. The dollar and the euro are very strong in Argentina as of early 2006, so this has indeed become a shopping paradise for tourists from these regions.

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, are thinly constructed compared to those in cooler countries. The Andes regions and Patagonia are considerably colder in the winter, so heavy clothing is much easier to find here.

There are also a number of large fairs or swap meets in town where you can find every sort of craft from jewerly, clothing or food. The biggest one is the craft fair on weekends called feria artensana.

• Getting here: Either ask your cab driver to take you to Feria Artensana (on the weekend of course), or go to the cemetery in Recoleta and you cant miss it!

Electronics will not be a bargain, as they are imported from elsewhere; music, books, and movies will be discounted by the weak peso, though.

Most freestanding shops in Buenos Aires are open 10 am - 8 pm 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 still observe a siesta from approximately 12 until 4 PM; 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 9 or 10 PM.

Costs

The central region of Argentina is mostly the rich plain known as La Pampa. There is jungle in the extreme northern areas, especially on the east. 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 of the Himalayas. The western Cuyo regions at the base of the Andes are mostly rocky desert.

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

The deserts of Cuyo 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.

Patagonia is cool in the summer and cold in the winter. 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.

Holidays and Celebrations

Time

Argentinians generally take a very relaxed attitude towards time. This can be unsettling to visitors from North America and non-Latin parts of Europe where punctuality is highly valued. You should expect that your Argentine contacts will be at least 10 to 15 minutes late for any appointment, even to a business meeting. Tardiness of 30 to 45 minutes is not unusual. This is considered normal in Argentina and does not signify any lack of respect for the relationship.

If you are invited to a dinner or party at, say, 9 PM. It does not mean that you should be present at 9 PM, but instead that you should not arrive before 9 PM. You'll be welcomed anytime afterwards. Arriving to a party 2-3 hours late is normally OK and sometimes expected. This is normally difficult to understand for Northern hemispherians.

This attitude extends to any scheduled activity in Argentina. Plays, concerts usually get going around half an hour after their scheduled times. Long distance buses usually leave on time. 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.

Unannounced bus or train departures ahead of the schedule 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.

Sports

The most popular sport in Argentina is futbol (soccer). If you come to Argentina, you shouldn't miss the chance to experience a professional match live. Argentina's fans are very passionate.

Football teams

There are five teams called "Los 5 grandes" and are the elite of the Argentinian football tournaments: This is the National pastime of Argentina and games are intense to say the least. While games are highly recommended for the adventerous (especially a Boca Juniors game), you should understand that a regular season bocas game can be as emotionally charged as any finals in the U.S. Wear shoes and be prepared to see many cops in riot gear and if you dawn a jersey of a team make sure you are ready for some serious exchange of trash talking.

• Boca Juniors - famous stadium "La Bombonera" where Diego Maradona played.
• River Plate - Stadium "El monumental de Nuñez"
• Independiente - Stadium "Libertadores de America"
• San Lorenzo
• Racing Club

Other Teams

• Velez Sardfield (European SouthAmerican Cup Champion in Tokyo 1994)
• Estudiantes de La Plata
• Rosario Central
• Union de Santa Fe
• Ferro Carril Oeste

Rugby and basketball (basquet) are also popular. Polo is popular among the upper classes. Tennis has been growing in popularity with the country's steady production of top player over the past three decades. 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 high-level team, competing against the best in the world. Car Racing are popular too, the main categories are Turismo Carretera (Ford vs Chevrolet), TC2000 (Touring Cars) and TopRace. The most important racetrack in Argentina is in Buenos Aires: "Autódromo Oscar Alfredo Gálvez"

Language

The official language is Spanish. The regional dialect, Rioplatense Spanish, is subtly different from both the language of Spain and that of Central America; most notably, the pronoun "tu" is replaced by "vos" (with separate verb conjugations, sometimes significantly different for irregular verbs); "y" and "ll" are pronounced ranging from an English "sh" (in Buenos Aires and Patagonia) through a soft "zh" sound, to a sound like English "j" in Cuyo. The interjection "che" is extremely common, and means approximately the same as English "hey!".

The Argentine accent evinces heavy Italian influence from the large influx of Italian immigrants. Hand gestures derived from Italian are extremely common, and many slang expressions are borrowed from Italian. Most locals can readily understand most Spanish dialects, and Portugese or Italian if spoken slowly. English is usually understood on at least a basic level in tourist-oriented places. German and French can be understood and to some extent spoken by small fractions of the population. A few places in Patagonia near Rawson have native Welsh speakers.

Visitors who speak Spanish should be aware that many words and expressions which are considered obscene or insulting in other Spanish-speaking places are considered a normal part of everyday speech in Argentina. For instance, it is common to refer to one's friends as boludo ("big balls") or hijo de puta ("son of a whore") in Argentina, expressions that would be considered extremely rude in many other Spanish-speaking places.

The concept of political correctness does not exist in Argentina. Fat people are unapologetically addressed as "gordo", blacks as "negro", people who appear to be of American Indian descent as "Peruano" or "Boliviano" (regardless of their actual ancestry), etc. Visitors should be aware that this sort of blunt address is considered normal in Argentina, and no insult is implied.

Argentinian breakfast is somewhat light compared to what travellers from English-speaking countries are accustomed to. 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: 8:30 PM at the earliest, more commonly at 9 PM 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 between 6 and 8 PM. A few cafes do offer heartier fare all day long, but don't expect anything more substantial than pizza or a milanesa or a lomito (steak sandwiches) outside of normal Argentine mealtimes.

Dinner is usually eaten at 8:00 PM, but no one dines out before 9:00 PM. This consists of appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Be aware that, similarly to the European "entree", (entrada) refers to the appetizers. The north american "entree" is refered to as "main dish" or "plato principal". For an appetizer there are empanadas (meat pastries), chorizo or morcilla (pork or blood sausage), and assortments of achuras (sweetbreads). For an entree there is usually bife de chorizo (T-bone steak) and various types of salads. Then for dessert, there is flan (custard) topped with dulce de leche and whipped cream.

Types of Restaurants

• Parillada is a steak house, this is what Argentina is famous for, the selection, price, and quality of Argentine meat is as good as it gets.
  

Types of Food

Beef is the central component of the Argentine diet, and Argentine beef is world-famous for good reason. Definitely check out Argentine barbecue: asado, sometimes also called parrillada, because it is made on a parrilla, or grill. There is no way around it - foodwise 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. Having a parrillada dinner is one of the best ways to experience it, preferably with a bottle of wine from Mendoza. In some popular areas, parrilladas are available from small buffets, or sidewalk carts and barbecue trailers. Skewers and steak sandwiches can then be purchased to go.

Other Beef dishes and useful phrases that you may not be used to include:

• Parillada a mixture of beef cuts and cow innerds, this is more of an adventure than a delicacy if you dont like innerds...
• Jugoso literally juicy, but this means you want your steak rare
• A Puntomedium (as for a steak)
• If you want your steak well done you are better off not ordering it at all (At least this order will not go over well in any Parillada)

Given that a large portion of Argentines are of Italian and Spanish descent, Italian and Spanish fare is very widespread and of high quality; pizzerias and specialized restaurants are very common. Take note that a convention observed in Argentina is to treat the pasta and sauce as separate items; more than one traveller has found what they thought was cheap pasta only to find that they were not getting any sauce. You will see the pastas for one price and then the sauces for an additional charge.

Cafes, 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, if you are lucky enough to find a place that specializes in this delicious South American food we recommend you try a few!

Etiquette

The 2001 peso crisis has left many Argentines bitter towards some authorities and institutions. While many shops will appreciate payment in US dollars or Euros and even offer you a better exchange rate than the banks, try to blend in elsewhere. Keep a supply of pesos on hand for those businesses that do not accept dollars.

Traffic is nowhere near some Asian or European cities, but driving is still extremely competitive compared to North American cities or to the more sedate areas of Europe. Do not jaywalk if you do not feel comfortable, and always keep your eyes about you when crossing the street.

Dogs are popular in Buenos Aires, but not dog curbing - watch your step.

Swearing is very common in most parts of Argentina, and not seen as rude or insulting, so don't be offended if someone calls you a "boludo". Even though it's a swear word, to Argentines is means "pal", or "mate".

Argentines are very engaging people who may ask very personal questions within minutes after first meeting someone. They will expect you to do the same. Failing to do so would signify lack of interest in the other person.

Cheek kissing is very common in Argentina's big cities, among and between women and men. When two women, or opposite sexes first meet, it is not uncommon to kiss. Two men will first shake hands, but will probably kiss when departing, especially if they have spoken for a while. Trying to shake hands when offered a kiss will be considered odd, but never rude.

Try not to compare "dulce de leche" disfavourably with anything else in the world, likewise for argentinian meat; doing it will be considered somewhat insulting.

Drinks

Yerba mate (pronounced in two syllables, 'MAH-tae') is a traditional Argentinian tealike drink, prepared in a hollowed-out gourd which is passed around in a social setting and drunk through a metal straw. Though usually drunk hot, mate can also be served cold, usually known as "tereré". 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. The drinking of mate with friends is an important social ritual in Argentina.

Argentina is world-renowned for the wines produced in Mendoza. Inexpensive, high-quality wine is readily available throughout Argentina. Many restaurants offer single-serving bottles. Wine-tasting events are common; check around. The many small bodegas (wineries) in Mendoza province also offer tours.

Most restaurants serve a broad range of liquors. Beer is offered in draft 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, and Brahma. Widely-available imports include Warsteiner, Heineken, and Budweiser. There are now many small pubs 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 the USA and Europe. In the Buenos Aires area, the Buller Brewing Company in Recoleta and the Antares Brewery in La Plata offer excellent handcrafted English/American style ales. If you ask if there are "cervezas artesanales" you will be able to find out if there are local handcrafted beers.

Cafes often have fresh-squeezed fruit juices, which is otherwise hard to find. The legal drinking age is officially 18, although most establishments will serve anyone approximately 16 or older.

A wide range of accommodation possibilities are available in Buenos Aires and the rest of the country, from student hostels to homey bed and breakfasts to trendy boutique hotels in the city to luxurious palaces and modern five-star hotels. There are also many beautiful lake-side lodges in Patagonia, and fabulous regional farms (estancias) outside the cities.

Many vacation cabañas (cabins or weekend houses) are available for short-term rent directly from the owners in the mountains, seaside, and in rural areas. Drive around and look for signs saying alquiler ("rental"), or check the classified section of any major newspaper.

Bear in mind that except in the 5-star hotels, usually the rooms are not as large as in hotels around the world.

• Tango lessons are available throughout the country (predominatley in Buenos Aires), shop around for your best price.
• Language lessons are also widely available and because of the collapse of the peso also very cheap. 

Phones

You can get a prepaid Movistar SIM card for free at phone shops, all you pay is about 20 Pesos (about 7 US-Dollars) for your initial credits. Inserting the SIM card into your American or European mobile phone should work - you then have your personal Argentinean phone number, which is very useful to keep in touch with other travellers, either by calling or by writing text messages. Your credits are used up at a rate of about 1 Peso per minute. To reload you can buy small cards with secret numbers at many kiosks. Dialing *444, pressing 2 followed by 1, and entering the secret number does the trick.

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 unexpecting 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
• Regional code for Buenos Aires: 11

Internet

Readily available and cheap in both small and large towns. Connections are generally very good and access is about $1.00 USD on average.

Visiting Argentina doesn't raise any major health worries. Certain vaccinations may be necessary for visitors, depending on where in Argentina you plan to visit. Yellow Fever vaccinations are recommended for those visiting the Northern forests. Different climate conditions might take your body by surprise, so be aware of the weather before you arrive. A bout of travellers' diarrhoea 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.

Crime

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, the Urban Guard, and the National Gendarmerie or the Naval Prefecture, especially in the Puerto Madero area of Buenos Aires.

As in any large city, certain particular neighborhoods in Buenos Aires and other cities are very dangerous. 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 hand out small cards with horoscopes, lottery numbers, 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. Persistent panhandlers are usually not dangerous; a polite but firm no tengo nada ("I don't have anything") is usually enough.

Most robberies are not violent; in most cases, if your wallet is stolen, you won't even notice until hours later. In the unlikely event that you are confronted by a mugger, simply hand over your valuables - they are replaceable. Watch out for pickpockets in the subway and on crowded city streets. 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.

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

There are rogue taxis operating in Buenos Aires whose drivers kidnap and rob tourists and locals alike. If you take a taxi, it's best to have your hotel or business phone for a radio taxi. If you must hail one on the street, look for one with the lighted gear on the roof and the designation "Radio Taxi" next to a phone number. Try to have small bills ready, as you may receive counterfeits if you pay in large denominations.

It is recommended that you carry some ID with you, but not your original passport. A copy of it (easily provided by your own hotel) should be enough.

Emergency

• Ambulance (Inmediate Health Emergency Service, SAME): 107
• Firemen (National Firemen Corps): 100
• Police (Argentine Federal Police): 101 (currently Argentina is implementing a 911 service, but at the time of this writing it is available only in a few cities, which include Buenos Aires and Mar del Plata)
• Tourist Police: (011) 4346-5748 / 0800-999-5000

Police

• Police (Argentine Federal Police): 101 (currently Argentina is implementing a 911 service, but at the time of this writing it is available only in a few cities, which include Buenos Aires and Mar del Plata)
• Tourist Police: (011) 4346-5748 / 0800-999-5000

Fire Department

Firemen (National Firemen Corps): 100

Hospitals

Gays and lesbians

Illicit drugs and prostitution

Smoking

By plane

Domestic flights are available within Argentina, but tickets are pricey, and most domestic flights pass through Buenos Aires' domestic airport Aeroparque Jorge Newbery. The main carriers are Aerolíneas Argentinas and LAN Argentina . Aerolíneas Argentinas' subsidiary Austral, which shares its parents fleet, and tickets of the two can be booked at the same office.

If you fly on your international trip to Argentina with Aerolíneas you always get discounts on domestic flights. Sometimes you even get free flights with your international ticket but keep in mind that you pay it with your international ticket...

By train

During the last years the Argentinian government promoted the re-establishment of long distance passenger trains. Most lines still operate on a low frequency (one or two departures weekly). The rail network is very limited, intercity buses offer better service and faster rides. Trains fare are very cheap - often only a fourth of the bus fare.

One of the major operators is Ferrobaires. See also Satélite Ferroviario for up-to-date information on trains and services (in Spanish). ferrocentral departes from buenos aire weekly to tucuman and twice per week to cordoba.

An amazing train ride is the Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds) in the northwestern province of Salta, but some people get altitude-sick. In addition, this train has currently not running. It should start running sometime in 2007 after proper repairs.

By car

Car rental is readily available throughout Argentina, though it is a bit expensive compared to other forms of transportation. Argentina generally recognizes valid drivers' licenses from foreign jurisdictions. Drivers must be over 21. The rental companies will charge the renters card arg$6000 to be used in the event of an accident. They cancel this charge when the car is returned. Be aware that the driving style in Argentina is much more aggressive and chaotic than in North America and non-Latin European countries. Speed limits and lane markings, for example, are universally ignored, and running red lights is common. Most drivers treat stop signs, octagonal red signs reading PARE, as though they were "yield" signs, though some drivers ignore them completely. Right of way is determined somewhat haphazardly by a combination of vehicle size and who arrives first. Make sure you are thoroughly confident in your driving skills before attempting to drive in Argentina.

Highways are limited to the areas around large cities. Most of the country is connected by paved unlit two-lane roads (rutas) shared by buses, cars, and large trucks. Some places are accessible only by gravel or dirt roads -- indeed, some main roads in southern Argentina are unsealed, leading to 4WD vehicles being more popular in the south.

On the rutas, in the provinces bordering other countries, the police frequently stop cars at controles policiales ("police checkpoints") to check insurance and registration papers and drivers' licenses. They do not stop all cars, though; when you come to a control policial, drive slowly and you will usually be waved through without stopping. Near provincial borders, these controles may also involve inspection of the trunk for contraband and a mandatory two peso fee for "disinfection" or "de-insectifying" the car's underside by driving it over a a mechanical sprayer that either sprays water or does nothing. The police have been known to set up roadblocks and demand bribes for passage, particularly around the city of Buenos Aires. Minor traffic infractions (though rarely enforced) can usually be handled by paying the fine on the spot to the police officer in cash.

The current cost of fuel in central and southern Argentina is approximately 2 pesos per litre, and 1.6 pesos per litre in the north (prices 04/05/2007). Be aware that in many small towns, particularly in the north, they may ration fuel to ensure they have enough to sell until the next refuelling truck arrives, in which case you will only be allowed to buy 30 pesos worth of fuel at a time. It's advisable to fill your tank at regular intervals when the opportunity arises.

By bus

Argentina boasts an outstanding short and long-distance bus network. Since regional train service is limited and plane tickets are expensive, bus travel is the most common way to travel from city to city within Argentina. In Buenos Aires, a city bus is called a colectivo while a long distance, city-to-city bus is called a micro; usage varies somewhat in provincial areas. The hub of this network is definitely Buenos Aires' Terminal de Omnibus Retiro; it has 2,000 bus arrivals and departures every day, and multiple companies serve most destinations.

The buses generally offer high-quality service, and for distances longer than 200km, it is common to have food served on board. There is generally a good amount of legroom, and many buses have seats that recline horizontally into beds (camas) making them a lot like traveling business class on a plane. Somewhat cheaper seats only recline partially (semi-camas), or not at all (servicio comun).

A great deal more information on buses, bus companies, and schedules, is available here.

By thumb

The hitchhiking club Autostop Argentina began in Argentina in 2002, inspired by clubs in France, Italy and the United States. As a result, hitchhiking has become more acceptable among the younger generation, and raising a thumb at a highway is a symbol most people understand.