Argentina🇦🇷
Argentina, the second largest country in South America, is nestled between the Andes to the west and the South Atlantic Ocean to the east, bordering Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, and Uruguay. The Argentine culture is a unique blend of European influences, courtesy of Spanish colonies and Italian immigrants. Known for the iconic tango dance, delicious steak, and its rich cultural heritage like the gaucho tradition of horsemen, Argentina is truly diverse in its offerings. Its natural wonders range from the breathtaking Iguazu Falls, to the Patagonia's Perito Moreno Glacier and the picturesque wine regions of Mendoza. The cosmopolitan capital, Buenos Aires, boasts a host of architectural gems, Parisian-style cafés, and vibrant nightlife.
⚠️Things you should avoid⚠️
- Avoid showing off expensive gadgets and jewelry, especially in crowded areas due to the risk of petty theft.
- Avoid disrespecting cultural norms and traditions. Showing respect towards the Argentine culture and locals is important.
- Avoid unlicensed taxis or remis. Always opt for official radio taxi services for safety.
- Avoid street protests or demonstrations. While generally peaceful, they do have the potential to turn confrontational.
- Avoid not having travel insurance. Ensure that it covers all potential medical expenses.
- Avoid traveling alone at night in less crowded areas or neighborhoods with higher crime rates.
- Avoid confrontations over discussions about the Falklands War (Malvinas) as it is a sensitive topic.
- Avoid drinking tap water in rural or remote areas. Stick to bottled water.
- Avoid areas known to be prone to natural disasters during their respective seasons.
- Avoid roaming around without a photo copy of your passport. It's required by law to carry identification at all times in Argentina.
Overall
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Crime 🔫
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Argentina's crime rate has been increasing, mainly due to economic instabilities. Petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching are common in crowded areas and tourist hotspots like Buenos Aires and Rosario. More serious crimes like carjacking and home invasion, although less frequent, are not unheard of. It's advisable to exercise caution and use common sense when venturing into poorer neighborhoods or less crowded areas at night.
Terrorism 💣
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Argentina's history of terrorism primarily circles around the Buenos Aires bombings of the Israeli Embassy in 1992 and the Jewish community center (AMIA) in 1994. However, in recent years, there has been no notable terrorism incident in the country. Argentina remains an active participant in the global counter-terrorism efforts, making it a relatively safe destination in terms of terrorist threats.
War ⚔️
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Argentina last saw conflict during the Falklands War (Guerra de las Malvinas) with the United Kingdom in 1982. The country has since maintained peaceful relations with its neighboring countries and other major global powers. Hence, the risk associated with war is extremely low.
Natural Disasters 🌊
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Argentina is prone to a variety of natural disasters including earthquakes, floods, storms, and landslides. Mendoza and San Juan provinces in the west are earthquake prone while northern areas often face severe flooding during the rainy season. In 2013, the city of La Plata experienced a catastrophic flood that left nearly 100 people dead.
Medical Care 🏥
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Medical care in main cities and towns in Argentina is fairly good with hospitals equipped with modern facilities. However, medical providers often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Moreover, the medical quality drops in rural areas. It is important to ensure that you have health insurance for the duration of your stay.
Tap Water Quality 💧
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In major cities and towns, tap water is generally safe to drink. But elsewhere, particularly in rural and remote areas, it's advisable to stick to bottled water. Some regions, like Buenos Aires, have high mineral content in the water which may affect its taste.
Disease Burden 🤒
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In terms of infectious diseases, Argentina faces problems related to vector-borne diseases like Dengue Fever and Zika Virus. This is particularly prevalent during the summer months (December to March). However, Argentina's public health initiatives, including vaccinations, have generally been successful.
Corruption 💸
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Corruption remains a problem in Argentina, although it has improved in recent years. Notable past incidents include the corruption scandal involving several government officials in the 'Notebooks Scandal' of 2018. The country continues to take measures to reduce corruption, including the implementation of the Corporate Criminal Liability Law in 2018.
Safety for Women ♀️
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Argentina is generally safe for women travelers who exercise usual precautions. However, street harassment is a concern. Argentina has been advancing women's rights and safety with movements like Ni Una Menos against gender-based violence.
Safety for Queer People 👬
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Argentina is considered to be one of the most queer-friendly countries in South America. It was the first country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage in 2010. However, societal attitudes can differ outside urban areas.
Censorship 📺
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Argentina enjoys freedom of expression, protected by its constitution. In recent years, there have been no significant cases of government censorship. However, there have been noted instances of threats and hostility towards journalists investigating political corruption.
Public Transportation 🚌
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Argentina has a robust public transportation system. Buenos Aires has a metro system (Subte) and extensive bus lines (colectivos). Long-distance bus travel can be comfortable and reliable, but delays and occasional strikes can disrupt travel plans. Safety on public transport is generally good, although pickpocketing in crowded buses or trains is a concern.
Other useful information
🔒 How safe is it?
Argentina is generally safe for travel with some precautions. Its low records of terrorist attacks and warfare contribute to its relatively high safety. However, petty crimes, pickpocketing, bag snatching, and occasional higher level crimes such as burglary make it important for travelers to remain vigilant, especially in larger cities. Natural disasters are a factor to take into consideration when choosing regions to travel to at various times of the year. Definite precautions should be taken to ensure health safety, such as vaccination against prevalent diseases, drinking bottled water in rural areas, and gaining a good understanding of the local healthcare system.
🏰 Embassies in this Country
Majority of foreign embassies in Argentina are situated in the capital city, Buenos Aires. These include the U.S. Embassy, United Kingdom Embassy, Canadian Embassy, Australian Embassy, and German Embassy among others.
💉 Recommended Vaccinations
Before traveling to Argentina, it's recommended to be vaccinated for diseases like Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, yellow fever (only for traveling to certain parts of Argentina), and rabies (especially for those who might be at risk, like outdoors adventurers). Routine vaccines should also be up-to-date.
🐍 Dangerous Animals
Argentina houses a few dangerous animal species. Venomous snakes like the Pit Viper and Coral Snake can be found in the various regions. In the northern and north-eastern parts, the Vinchuca insects, carriers of Chagas Disease, are a concern. When trekking in mountainous areas, one needs to be cautious of Andean condors and pumas.
🛂 Visa Requirements
Tourists from numerous countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and many European Union nations do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days. However, it's advisable to check the current visa requirements based on one's nationality before planning their trip.
💲 Currency
The official currency of Argentina is the Argentine Peso (ARS). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and authorized exchange bureaus.
💳 Credit Card Acceptance
Credit cards are widely accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and shops in Argentina's major cities and towns. However, it's advisable to carry enough cash while venturing to rural or remote areas as ATMs might be scarce there.
🧑🏭 Is it possible to work and travel in this country?
Argentina provides decent opportunities for work and travel. TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) positions are often available. There are also opportunities in tourism, finance, IT and English language journalism. However, getting a work visa might involve extensive documentation.
💵 Cost of Travel and Living
Argentina provides relatively affordable travel and living costs. Accommodation, food at local restaurants, transportation, and attractions are generally less expensive than in Northern American and European countries. However, economic instability means prices can fluctuate.