45th Congress of the International Society for the History of Medicine
September 5-9, 2016
Buenos Aires - Argentina
PREPARING YOUR TRIP
Buenos Aires can easily be reached by plane or car. It is served by two airports.
“Ministro Pistarini” is the international airport, located at Ezeiza; it is 35 km (22 miles) southwest of downtown Buenos Aires. This airport is the main gate to Argentina, where all international flights arrive. To travel downtown you can book an Airport transfer, take a bus or a taxi.
“Jorge Newbery” Airport is located on the city riverside, five minutes from downtown. From there you can fly to the provinces and some neighbouring countries.
For further information check the airports website: www aa2000.com.ar
Access by air & getting into the city
Most nationalities can enter Argentina without a visa for up to 90 days. To find out whether you need a visa to enter Argentina, click here.
Citizens from the Mercosur need only their national ID to enter the country.
Citizens from the United States, Australia and Canada do not require a visa but need to pay a reciprocity fee (which is valid for several years) in order to enter the country. Instructions in English on how to pay the reciprocity fee online can be downloaded below.
More information on how to pay reciprocity fees can be found on this web page: https://virtual.provincianet.com.ar/ArgentineTaxes/.
For information on student visas, please visit Student Visas & Immigration Requirements.
VISA information
Currency
The Argentine currency is the peso, and it has the same symbol ($) as the dollar. It is easy to exchange money in Buenos Aires, there are ‘casas de cambio’ (money exchange booths) and ATMs throughout the city, and most banks will also exchange foreign currency. These are by far the safest places to change money.
However, it should be noted that for those seeking to change US dollars in Argentina, there are two rates of exchange, the official rate set by the Banco Central de la República Argentina, and the informal rate, known as the ‘blue dollar rate’. The unstable currency and the fact that it is difficult for Argentines to acquire US dollars through traditional means has fueled a parallel dollar exchange market with the blue dollar rate markedly higher than the official rate.
To obtain real time information about the official rate of exchange, it is worth using sites like XE.com, or local sites like the Banco de la Nacion www.bna.com.ar (official page) or the financial news site www.ambito.com.
Other recommendations
TAX-FREE SHOPPING:
Foreign tourists are eligible to reclaim tax (VAT) on all purchases of domestically-manufactured goods with a value over ARS $70. The Global Blue website has useful information on the tax reclaim process here: http://www.globalblue.com/customer-services/tax-free-shopping-in-argentina/. AFIP, the Argentine tax authority, also has information in Spanish here: www.afip.gob.ar/turismo/.
PAYING DIRECTLY IN DOLLARS:
Some businesses (restaurants, hotels, shops) will accept dollars in cash at a rate higher than the official exchange rate, instead of pesos. It is always worth asking.
How much money do I exchange?
It is recommended not to change huge sums of money at any one time.
What do I do with my leftover pesos?
If it is a large amount, exchange it for US dollars at an official casa de cambio or in a bank. You must provide receipt of your original sale of dollars in order for you to buy back dollars. If the amount is less than ARS $1,000, it’s probably best use it for transport to the airport or for buying souvenirs.
Sanitary information
No vaccinations are required to enter Argentina.
Tap water is drinkable.
Public hospitals are open 24hrs and hospital care is free. The City Government website has a list of public hospitals in the city. Should you require emergency medical services or an ambulance, dial 107 free of charge from any fixed or mobile line.
Smokers and non-smokers
Smoking in the city is prohibited in closed public spaces and on public transport, as well as in restaurants, bars, cafes, shopping centres, cinemas, etc.
However, bars, cafes and restaurants over 100m2 can by law offer separated areas for smokers, and in some clubs people are permitted to smoke.
Alcohol and drug consumption
Alcohol consumption is prohibited for persons under the age of 18 and is banned in sports stadiums and venues.
Supermarkets are permitted to sell alcohol until 10pm; restaurants, bars and nightclubs until 5am.
The possession, manufacture and sale of drugs is prohibited by law in Argentina, with the exception of marijuana for personal consumption (authorised by the Supreme Court of Justice in 2009).
Security
Buenos Aires is a safe city, but like any large metropolis, petty crime and theft does exist, and visitors should always take precautions, particularly in tourist hot spots and crowded places.
We recommend that you keep your belongings with you at all times, take licensed taxis, make sure your bags or rucksacks are kept closed, stick to well-lit streets in the evenings and keep bling to a minimum.
DEFENSORIA DEL TURISTA:
As a tourist, if you suffer from any type of abuse, mistreatment or discrimination during your visit, please contact the Defensoría de Turista, the public office responsible for defending the rights of tourists, either by telephone, email or in person.
The office is located in the Museo de Bellas Artes "Benito Quinquela Martín", on Av. Pedro de Mendoza 1835 (La Boca). Opening times are 10.00-18.00, Monday to Sunday. Tel: 4302-7816, email: turista@defensoria.org.ar. You can also visit any one of the Tourist Information Centres (CITs) in around the city to report an abuse.
COMISARIA DEL TURISTA:
The Tourist Police Station is located on Av. Corrientes 436. Tel. 0800-999-5000/4346-5748 (email: turista@policiafederal.gov.ar) and assists with missing persons, lost items and victims of theft and other crimes. The office will also help tourists contact their local embassies or consulates. Interpretation is available in English, Portuguese, French, Ukrainian and Japanese.
Local, national & international calls
Telephone numbers in Buenos Aires contain 8 digits. Local calls don’t require a prefix, unless you are calling a mobile phone, in which case you should add the prefix 15 and then type the 8 digit number.
For national calls from Buenos Aires, please dial 0, then the regional code and the telephone number. For international calls from Buenos Aires, please dial 00 before the international number.
The international country code for Argentina is 54 and the city code for Buenos Aires is 11. If you are calling Buenos Aires from outside the country, dial 0054 11 and then the telephone number, if it is a fixed line.
For mobile phones, dial 0054 9 11.