Tourist Information

We will provide you with all the information that you need about Buenos Aires , tickets, restaurants, discos, transfers, airport shuttle services ("remises"), long distance buses, flights, post offices, and how to travel to the most beautiful places in Argentina.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS

If you do not already have a passport, you should begin applying for one once you have decided to study abroad, so as to avoid any last-minute processing fees. If you already have a passport, you must make sure it will not expire while you are already abroad.

You should keep a copy of your passport with you at all times.

Argentina will grant you an automatic 90-day tourist visa without charge upon arrival. You can easily renew this visa simply by crossing the border and returning to Argentina , whereupon the immigration authorities will stamp your passport with another 90-day visa stamp. This means that if you're a student who wishes to stay for a period longer than three months, when your visa is about to expire you can go to neighboring Uruguay, which is an interesting day-trip or weekend excursion, and when you re-enter the country, your visa will be renewed for another three months.

MEDICAL FACILITIES

Buenos Aires has very good medical facilities with English speaking physicians. We will provide you with contact information at your orientation.

WHAT TO BRING

Please contact your airline for luggage restrictions.

You will experience a wide range of climates, due to seasonal variances and travel, and should bring clothes for appropriate changes. Winter in Buenos Aires (June-August) is mild compared to many places, but you will probably still want a sweater and a light to mid-weight coat. Summer (December-February) is hot and humid, and you should plan your clothing accordingly. The spring and fall months are usually mild and pleasant, though it does sometimes rain.

Argentina 's climate also varies widely within the country: the north is sub-tropical, with summer or spring temperatures year-round. In Patagonia and the south you will probably need a jacket, even in the middle of summer. You can buy just about any needed clothing item in Argentina at affordable prices.

If you bring appliances such as hair dryers or electric shavers, you will likely need to purchase an electric converter, which you may purchase at home or abroad. In any case, do not attempt to use small appliances without a converter or you will burn the sockets. Large appliances, such as laptop computers, normally accept a wide range of electrical currents and voltages, however you should verify this before plugging them in.

Useful pharmaceutical supplies to bring include allergy and cold capsules, and band-aids. You might also want to bring travel-size items for weekend trips.

MONEY

ATM machines are abundant in Argentina , especially in the large cities. You should make sure your bankcard has a Cirrus, Plus, or Visa affiliation. MasterCard and Visa cards for cash advances are also easily used.

You should also carry $ 200 to $ 300 in US dollars with you upon arrival, as a back-up fund in case you have problems with your card.

Personal checks are very rarely accepted abroad and traveler's checks are extremely difficult to cash in Argentina , so any money you bring should be in cash (US dollars or euros are preferred).

INTERNET USAGE ("LOCUTORIOS" OR "CIBER CAFES")

There are large numbers of inexpensive Internet cafes throughout the cities, normally charging $1 Peso Argentino per hour (about thirty cents US). Getting online is rarely a problem.

INTERNATIONAL PHONE CALLS

One of the best phone options is to purchase prepaid international calling cards at a convenience store ("locutorios"). The fees will usually be a small fraction of your regular card. There are also many phone centers for calling ("locutorios").

Friends and relatives may call you economically using variety of prepaid phone cards, generally much less expensive than standard long-distance rates.

CULTURAL ADAPTATIONS

Living abroad will expose you to a whole new world of experiences, often very rewarding and memorable. Even so, it is not unusual to feel homesickness or culture shock. However, after a short period of adjustment, you will most likely have a wonderful time abroad and experience significant personal growth.