TRAVEL INFORMATION

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER ARGENTINA

Visitors entering Argentina from neighboring countries require only a valid identity card. Visitors from other countries must present a valid passport, with or without a visa, depending on the country of origin. The maximum stay allowed for all tourists is 90 days. No vaccination certificate has to be submitted, except for cholera and yellow fever for passengers coming from countries where those diseases are endemic.

Please ask for information about visa or other requirements at an Argentine Embassy or Consulate. To locate the nearest Argentine consulate, please visit the website of the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs and click over the flag of your country. Delegates from countries for which a visa is required are advised to begin the visa application as soon as possible.

PLEASE NOTE: Citizens from the US, Canada and Australia must pay a “reciprocity fee” on their arrival to Argentina. This fee is NOT a visa; Argentina does not require a Visa from citizens of these countries. The fee for USA arrivals is US$131; Canada: US$75; and Australia: US$100. These fees are similar to the amounts that Argentinean citizens pay for visa applications to visit the US, Australia and Canada and may be subject to change. For US citizens, payment of the BA Airport Entry Fee allows unlimited entries to Argentina for a period of 10 years.

INVITATION LETTERS

An official letter of invitation for the purpose of obtaining a travel visa or permission to attend the meeting should be requested in writing or by email. Please contact the Local Organizing Committee.

FROM THE AIRPORT:

The distance from the Ministro Pistarini (popularly known as Ezeiza) International Airport to Buenos Aires city is 33 km (20 miles) and, depending on the traffic, it is a 30-45 minutes drive. The following is information of some Taxi Companies posted at the official web site of the airport:

• Remis Manuel Tienda León / SHUTTLE SERVICES (5411) 4314‐3636 / 4315‐5115
• Tienda Leon has a Shuttle service that leaves from the airport every hour or every half hour, and transports you to a terminal in Puerto Madero, where you can take a short taxi ride to your hotel.
• Remis Transfer Express 0800 4444 Transfer (872)
• Remis Vip Cars (54 11) 5480 4590 /4594
• Remis World Car (54 11) 5480‐1215
• Taxis Municipalidad de Ezeiza (5411) 5480‐0066/9383

The cost of the shuttle from Ezeiza to Puerto Madero is about USD $12. Taxi prices from the airport vary from USD$ 45 to USD$ 50.

CURRENCY

The official currency is the Argentine peso (the “peso” sign is $- here denoted as ARS$). It is recommended that you purchase Argentine pesos prior to departure or upon arrival at the Ezeiza International Airport. Many vendors will accept American Dollars but bear in mind that they may not offer optimal exchange rates.

Bank hours: Monday through Friday, 10 AM‐3PM

Tax refund: Foreign tourists can claim a refund of the IVA (VAT or consumer´s tax) on Argentine produced goods purchased in Argentina (minimum amount is ARS$70). Ask for a “type B” ticket or invoice (“Factura B”) along with the “Global Refund Check” which should state the amount of the refund. Before leaving the country, present these papers to be sealed by Customs and obtain your refund.

Major credit cards are accepted in most stores, restaurants and hotels.

VENUE ADDRESS

Universidad Católica Argentina, Avenida Alicia Moreau de Justo 1680, Puerto Madero

BUENOS AIRES WEATHER (historical summary for August)

Average High Temperature: 17.3°C/63.1°F   (Record High Temperature: 34.4°C/93.9°F)

Average Low Temperature:    8.9°C/48°F     (Record Low Temperature: - 4°C/25°F)

Average number of rainy days: 8

CLOTHING

Casual, in general. However, Buenos Aires is a cosmopolitan city and fashion is taken seriously by “porteños” (Buenos Aires city natives). Remember that August is winter in the southern hemisphere. If you plan to visit other places in Argentina, check the weather forecast at the locations you plan to stay, because the climates are very diverse (from subtropical to cold and dry).

FOOD AND BEVERAGES

The gastronomic experience in Buenos Aires is a very pleasant one. Most of the restaurants are open for dinner from 8 PM (some earlier), but locals rarely have dinner before 9-9:30 PM. Food, wine and service are usually excellent. Beef is a must, but all kinds of cuisine can be enjoyed. Tap water is fine, but is always advisable to drink bottled water.

LANGUAGE
Official language is Spanish. In Buenos Aires, hotels, restaurants and many shops have English speaking staff (not so common in the provinces). Also Portuguese, French, German and Italian are frequently spoken.

SHOPPING HOURS

Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 7 or 8 PM. Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM. Sundays closed, except for shopping malls, and tourist areas like San Telmo, La Boca or Recoleta.

TIPPING

A 10% tip is customary in Argentina at coffee shops, bars or restaurants. It is also expected that you tip bell boys, ushers or doormen (2 ‐ 5 pesos).

TELEPHONE AND INTERNET

It is very common to find phone booths (pay phones) all around the country. For domestic long distance calls in Argentina dial 0 before the area code, and for international calls dial 00 before the country code.
Wireless Internet (WiFi free) connection is provided all around the UCA campus and Convention Center.

ELECTRICITY

The electrical power supply in Argentina is 220-240v, 50 Hz, AC.

The official standard for plugs and sockets (outlets) in Argentina is the "Type I" IRAM-2073. Outlets in older buildings could be “Type C” Europlug type.

TIME

Argentina standard time zone is UTC/GMT   – 3 hours

HEALTH

There is a variety of hospitals and private clinics in the city. All visitors are advised to have a valid international insurance before coming to Argentina.

SECURITY MEASURES

Buenos Aires is similar to other large cities in the western hemisphere. You are advised to be careful but not paranoid.

• Watch your valuables closely. Do not leave purses or pocketbooks or laptops unattended.
• Avoid walking in dark, solitary areas.
• Do not change money in the streets or with taxi drivers.
• Preferably call a cab or take radio‐cabs when in the street, and pay with pesos (ideally, with exact change).
• Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, go straight to the transportation booths and buy your pre‐paid ticket to the city
• Try to leave your passport and valuables in the safety box at your hotel and carry another ID (drivers license or passport Xerox copy) with you.

Tourist Safety and Assistance: Tourist Police Station: Av. Corrientes # 436. Phone: 4346.5748, 4328-2135 or 0800-999-5000