2013 WCO TI Forum

GENERAL INFORMATION

Weather

Link to the official site of the National Weather Service - http://www.smn.gov.ar/

Transportation

There are six subway lines (Subte) in Buenos Aires which cover major part of the city. It is a fast and safe way to travel around the city.

To use this kind of transportation, you can buy an individual ticket in every station of the subway lines.

The public transportation system allows the combination of buses and subway. However, travelling by bus could be difficult for a tourist due to the lack of knowledge of the bus route, frequency and stops. A bus ticket can be purchased on each bus unit and can be paid only with coins.

In Buenos Aires, taxes are black with yellow roof. License plates of taxis are black and white and alphanumeric. Taxes must have a taximeter in full view of the passenger. Furthermore, there are radiotaxis that, unlike common taxis, belong to businesses that control all their vehicles on the road. Nevertheless, it is recommended to take a taxi requested by the hotel.


Currency and tips

The official Argentine currency is the “Argentine peso”.

There are coins of 5, 10, 25 and 50 coins, and of 1 and 2 pesos, and bills of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 pesos.

A US Dollar is equivalent to approximately 5 pesos and a Euro to 7 pesos.

See updated exchange rate

Tips are optional in all restaurant, bars and pubs. However, 10% tipping is appreciated.


Working hours

Commercial offices are open from 9 to 12 am and from 2 to 7 pm.

Banks and exchange bureaus are open from Mondays to Fridays, from 10 am to 3 pm.

Shops and stores in big cities are open from 9 am to 8 pm, however, in inland regions, they may close at midday. On Saturdays, shops are open from 9 am to 1 pm. Shopping centers are open throughout the week, even on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 am to 10 pm.

Bars, Coffee and pizza shops are almost always open, except from 2 to 6 am.

In restaurants, lunch is served from 12 am, and dinner from 8 pm. However, many restaurants offer fast food menus at any time.

Please bear in mind that these schedules may vary depending on the province you visit in Argentina.


Electricity and communications

Electric power in Argentina is 220 Volts and 50 Hertz. If you need to use electrical appliances of 110 volts, you will find adaptors in specialized stores (hardware stores).

Communications within the country are widespread and varied: there is a public telephone network and mobile phones. There is broadband internet throughout almost the entire country and Wi-Fi connections in all major cities.

Throughout the country there are shops (telephone booths called locutorios) that offer national and international telephone services, for which you must pay in cash the amount of the phone calls. Some also offer fax services, Internet access and booths for hearing impaired people. 

Telephone country codes: to call Argentina from abroad:

  • to a landline telephone - dial: +54 + city code (without the first zero) + phone number;
  • to a mobile telephone: +54 + 9 + city code (without the first zero) + mobile phone number.


Security

Buenos Aires is a city always concerned about its public security levels, however, as in most big cities around the world, it is recommended to follow these tips so as to make your stay in our country more pleasant:

  • Always look after your personal belongings when walking in busy streets.
  • Be careful with your backpacks or bags, and with the objects you carry in any outside pockets these bags may have.
  • It is a good idea not to wear too much jewelry or any eye-catching electronic items, such as cameras, video-cameras, i-pods, laptops or other such items.
  • Keep a close eye on your belongings when in restaurants, bars or recreational areas.
Remember not to exchange dollars or any other currency in the street. Always use authorized exchange bureaus.

Health and emergencies

Vaccines: Nowadays, no vaccinations or medical exams are required to enter the country.

Water: In general, tap water is safe to drink. However, it is advisable that you drink mineral water.

Emergency phones:

Ambulances:  107           
Fire Station:   100            
Police:            911

Ezeiza International Airport “Ministro Pistarini”

Inaugurated in 1949, is the main international air terminal within the Republic of Argentina. It accounts for 80% of the international traffic of the country. 

Address: Autopista Ricchieri Km. 33,500. Ezeiza, Province of Buenos Aires

Phones: (54–11) 5480–6111

Jorge Newbery Airport

Located in the north-western part of the city of Buenos Aires, it is mainly used for domestic flights. However, it also provides international services to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay. It is the airport with the largest number of in transit passengers.

Address: Av. Rafael Obligado S/Nº,

(1425) Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.

Phone: (54–11) 5480–6111.

VAT Return

Foreign tourists can request the VAT (Value Added Tax) return for the purchase of products manufactured in Argentina for a value above seventy Argentine pesos ($70).

When purchasing any product, tourists have to request the seller for an original Invoice “B” category or ticket “B” category, and the “Global Refund Check”. Before departing from Argentina, tourists shall submit the products purchased, the invoice or ticket and the Refund Check to the Customs Office.

To know the amount to be refunded o further information on this respect, please contact the Federal Administration of Public Revenue (AFIP).

To take into account – National Law on Tobacco Control

In Argentina, indoor smoking is not allowed in spaces for private or public use, including casinos, bingos, discotheques, bars, restaurants, offices and work places, theaters, museums, libraries, public transportation and roofed stadiums. Decks, terraces, balconies and outdoor spaces of public access are exempted, nevertheless, smoking in such open spaces in schools and health service institutions is not allowed.