Call 100.
Call 911, for English language service in Buenos Aires only.
Call 107.
Call 911, for English language service in Buenos Aires only.
Call 0800 999 5000, for multilingual tourist police.
Call 911, for English language service in Buenos Aires only.
Use common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, bag snatching and bag slashing, is common. Thieves also target mobile phones, especially smartphones. Take care on public transport and in tourist areas.
Distraction thefts are common in public areas, such as:
This involves creating a distraction by, for example, helping remove sauce that they spilled on you.
Robberies are frequent in bus stations, in particular:
Criminals might use force if you resist.
Robberies involving motorcycles, 'motochorros', are common in larger cities.
Thieves usually work in pairs:
They'll also snatch items from inside vehicles.
Robberies are common in taxis.
Robbery hotspots in tourist areas of Buenos Aires include:
Armed robbery and other violent crimes are a problem in major tourist areas of:
Express kidnappings can occur in Buenos Aires.
An express kidnapping is where criminals demand a quick pay-off. They force victims to withdraw funds from ATMs to secure their release.
Kidnappers tend to target locals asking for ransom from families or co-workers. However, they may target tourists. The victim is usually unharmed.
The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.
More information:
Crimes against car passengers are a problem. Thieves often target cars stopped at traffic lights.
Some criminals pose as taxi operators at the airport and rob passengers. They may work with other taxi drivers.
To reduce your risk of road-based crime:
To reduce your risks while taking taxis or driving:
If you're held up, don't resist.
Protests and demonstrations are common in Argentina. Particularly in:
Organised strikes are frequent and may disrupt transport systems, such as trains and airlines. Contact your travel or tour operator for information.
Focal points for protesters in Buenos Aires are the areas of:
During demonstrations, streets may be blocked and public transport disrupted.
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
To protect yourself during periods of unrest:
More information:
On 14 November 2018, a bomb attack in Buenos Aires injured 2 people.
Major events are potential targets. The government has security measures in place.
To protect yourself from terrorism:
Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
More information:
Argentina experiences natural disasters and severe weather, including:
Land border crossings can close due to earthquakes or severe weather conditions.
If there's a natural disaster:
More information:
Volcanoes on the border of Argentina and Chile could erupt at any time.
Earthquakes can also occur.
Flooding is seasonal. It's more common in the northern provinces of Argentina. Flooding may disrupt local transport and essential services.
Heavy rains may cause occasional flash floods in other areas, including the province of Buenos Aires.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won’t pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
You may not be able to access your usual medication in Argentina. Some local alternatives:
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Argentina. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
Diseases spread by insects are a risk in Argentina. This includes:
These diseases are serious and can be fatal.
Outbreaks are more likely in wet seasons:
In January 2020, there is an active outbreak of dengue in Paraguay with cases registered in Northern Argentina.
Yellow fever is a potentially fatal virus spread by mosquitoes. It's prevented by vaccination. Get vaccinated before you travel.
US CDC recommends yellow fever vaccinations for all travellers going to Corrientes and Misiones provinces
Zika virus is a risk in the northern areas of Argentina. This includes Tucuman Province.
Pregnant women and their unborn babies are particularly at risk. If you're pregnant:
To protect yourself against diseases spread by insects:
More information:
Infected rodents spread hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. It's widespread in:
In January 2019, an outbreak in Chubut and Jujuy caused some deaths.
To protect yourself from hantavirus infection:
If you travel to an area higher than 2500m, you can develop altitude sickness.
Altitude sickness can be deadly. It can affect anyone, even if you're physically fit.
Your risk of altitude sickness increases if you:
If you'll be travelling above 2500m:
Buenos Aires has high levels of air pollution. This may aggravate:
Outbreaks of waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases occur. This includes:
To reduce your risk of illness:
If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, get medical help straight away.
Get urgent medical advice if you suspect food poisoning or have a fever or diarrhoea.
Most medical facilities are of a reasonable standard.
Puerto Madryn has a decompression chamber.
You may need to pay cash before private medical clinics will treat you. This includes for emergency care.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Penalties for drug offences are severe, even for small amounts, and include long prison terms.
More information:
Offences committed against national symbols carry a penalty of 6 months to 4 years in jail.
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Dual nationals staying in Argentina for more than 180 days must leave Argentina on an Argentine passport.
Applying for an Argentine passport can take time. You must present documents proving your identity. If you're an Australian resident, you may have to provide proof of your address in Australia.
The Australian Embassy can't help you apply for an Argentine passport or other identity documents.
A child born in Argentina to Australian parents is an Argentine national. They must use an Argentine passport when they leave the country.
More information:
As a tourist, you can stay for up to 90 days without a visa, but you'll need:
Officials may also ask to see proof of accommodation and enough money or a credit card to cover your trip.
You'll need a visa to work or study in Argentina, or if you have an Australian diplomatic or official passport.
Apply for a visa from an Argentinian embassy or consulate well before you travel. Visas are not available on arrival.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact an embassy or consulate of Argentina for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
Biometric entry procedures are in place at:
On arrival at these ports, authorities will:
Children younger than 18 may need to provide a letter of consent from any parents that aren't travelling with them.
Seek advice from your nearest embassy or consulate of Argentina as early as possible.
More information:
If you're travelling through the US, you must meet US entry or transit requirements.
Check your visa needs well before you travel. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of the United States.
More information:
You may need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Argentina. Some airlines may want to see one when you leave.
Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever.
More information:
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible.
The Peso (ARS) is the official currency of Argentina.
Most major hotels in Buenos Aires will exchange US dollars. They may not accept traveller's cheques.
To make access to money easier:
Be prepared if you're hiking or climbing in high country or mountains.
To reduce your risks if you intend to hike in Argentina:
You'll need a Brazilian visa to view Iguazu Falls from the Brazilian side of the border.
Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date you enter Brazil.
Apply for your Brazilian visa well before you travel. This process can take a long time. The Australian Embassy can't help you apply.
More information:
You can use your Australian driver's licence while you have a valid visa. You may need to present further identification.
Residents must get an Argentine driver's licence.
Drivers must be aged 23 years or older to hire a car.
Driving in Argentina can be dangerous due to:
Disregard for pedestrian rights is common.
You're more than twice as likely to die in a car accident in Argentina than Australia, according to the World Health Organization.
Land crossings between Argentina and Uruguay can be blocked.
If you plan to travel by road, monitor the media for road hazards between Argentina and Uruguay.
More information:
Petty crime is common in trains and railway stations. See Road-based crime in Safety
Railway strikes can cause major disruptions, on occasion.
Only use taxis clearly marked as 'radio taxi'. They'll have a visible:
You can book radio taxis and 'remises' (chauffeured cars):
To reduce your risks if you take a taxi:
Overbooking on domestic flights and technical problems at the airport can result in:
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Argentina's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
If you want to fly within Argentina, monitor local media for airport updates.
More information:
Buenos Aires and Ushuaia are popular destinations for a number of international cruise lines, including for travel to Antarctica.
For your safety, if you intend to take a cruise:
More information:
People with disabilities may have trouble with accessibility and accommodation in Argentina.
Federal laws mandate access to buildings for people with disabilities. Many provinces don't have similar laws.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 100.
Call 911, for English language service in Buenos Aires only.
Call 107.
Call 911, for English language service in Buenos Aires only.
Call 0800 999 5000, for multilingual tourist police.
Call 911, for English language service in Buenos Aires only.
Tourist police stations, or Comisaria del Turista, are in:
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
You can contact the Australian Embassy in Buenos Aires.
Villanueva 1400
(C1426BMJ)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Phone: (+54 11) 4779 3500
Fax: (+54 11) 4779 3581
Website: argentina.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Australia en Argentina, Uruguay y Paraguay
Twitter: @EmbAustraliaBA
Check the Embassy for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.