Argentine Travel Warning
Country-specific safety information
According to youremailverifier, there are frequent strikes and demonstrations in Argentina, especially, but not only, in the metropolitan areas. In this context, road closures and sometimes considerable restrictions on local public transport can occur. In the event of strikes by ground staff or air traffic controllers, national air traffic is also affected. In the past, there have been isolated cases of looting and violent protests during demonstrations. Travelers should therefore avoid demonstrations and crowds and inform themselves about the current situation from the media as well as from their hosts and tour operators in order to avoid inconvenience as a result of the protests and strikes.
Crime
An increasing criminal risk has been observed in recent months. In principle, caution and vigilance are required, even in parts of the city that are considered to be safe. Valuables should not be carried openly, cash should only be carried in small amounts. In the event of a robbery, travelers should not offer any resistance, as the perpetrators are usually armed and do not shrink from using force.
Trick thefts are more common in busy places and on public transport. The popular method is to stain someone with mustard or the like, to start cleaning helpfully and guiltily and to steal or snatch all tangible objects. It is therefore advisable not to carry valuables in handbags or rucksacks, B. to be carried close to the body in breast pouches.
Thefts are common in hotels in the lower price range. Identification documents etc. should be kept separate from cash and kept safe (hotel safe). Even in better hotels, handbags and luggage should never be left unattended in publicly accessible rooms (lobby etc.).
Particular attention should be paid to cash withdrawals or exchanges and to the tourist attractions of Buenos Aires such as La Boca (especially on weekdays and in sparsely populated side streets away from Calle Caminito), San Telmo, the Retiro train station and in the city center (Plaza de Mayo, Calle Florida, Recoleta). Lately the embassy has also been notified of an increasing number of attacks from the city of Mendoza. Particular caution is required here, especially after dark.
After dark it is recommended to order taxis by phone (so-called radio taxis or Remise). Particular care should be taken at Ministro Pistarini International Airport; a chauffeur service (‘Remise’, offered at fixed stands in the arrivals area) should definitely be used here.
There is a significant amount of counterfeit banknotes, especially 100 peso notes, in circulation in Argentina. They can be recognized, but if the usual security features are checked (watermark, security thread, intaglio printing, see-through register), when exchanging money on the street or by trick fraud (‘exchanging’ for counterfeit money under the pretext of not being able to change), the risk is high to receive false bills.
In individual cases, counterfeit money can also be issued at ATMs. In this case, it is best to speak to the bank or police station in question immediately. When exchanging foreign currency in a bank, no cases of issuing counterfeit money have so far become known.
MONEY
Currency
1 Argentine peso = 100 centavos. Currency abbreviation: Arg $, ARS (ISO code).
Bills are in circulation to the denomination of 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 and 2 Arg $;
Coins in denominations of 2 and 1 Arg $ as well as 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 Centavos.
US dollars are accepted in some hotels and tourist centers. Prices in pesos and in dollars are both marked with a ‘$’. If anything is unclear, you should ask. When buying pesos in Argentina, only one foreign currency of the same amount can be purchased within the country, so receipts from exchange offices should be retained.
Attention: Foreigners who do not have a place of residence in Argentina can no longer pay for tourism services (e.g. plane tickets, hotel accommodation, package tours, etc.) with pesos. These services must be paid for by credit or debit cards issued abroad, foreign currency transfers from abroad, checks on accounts abroad or cash in foreign currencies (e.g. US dollars).
Credit cards
Diners Club, American Express, Visa and MasterCard are accepted, but not as often as in Europe and the USA. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question.
Attention: Travelers who pay with their bank card abroad and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted throughout Europe and worldwide. Further information from banks and credit institutes. The maximum amount per withdrawal is quite low and the number of withdrawals per day is limited, with some banks it is only up to 700 pesos per day.
Bank opening times
Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Foreign exchange regulations
The import and export of national or foreign currency is possible without restriction. The import of currency with a value of over US $ 10,000 must be declared.
Currency Exchange
There are banks and cambios (exchange offices) in all major cities. It is generally recommended to bring US dollars with you, but you should only bring cash in the country to the extent necessary. Euros can only be changed in the big cities in almost all banks and exchange offices.
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official language is Spanish. English is widely spoken. German, French and Italian are spoken sporadically.
