Overview

Overview

Security status

If you’re planning a trip to Argentina, we advise you to take normal precautions.

Register with us

If you’re visiting or planning to stay in Argentina, you should register your details with us so we can find you quickly if there’s an unforeseen crisis like a natural disaster or if you have a family emergency while you’re abroad. And, if necessary, we can offer help to you and your family.

Our advice

We suggest you learn as much as you can about Argentina before your trip.

We also recommend reading our Know Before You Go travel guide for practical tips on travelling abroad.

Emergency assistance

The best help is often close at hand so if you have problems, try talking to your local contacts, tour operator representative or hotel management.

Contact the Embassy

If there is an emergency, or if you need help and advice, you can contact the Irish Embassy in Buenos Aires.

If you phone outside of working hours, leave us a message giving:

• Your name
• The nature of your problem
• Where you are now
• Your contact details (mobile phone number or phone number of where you’re staying)

We regularly monitor these messages and one of our staff members will be in contact with you.

How we can help you

We have a lot of experience helping Irish citizens who run into problems when they’re abroad. Learn more about the kind of emergency assistance we can offer you.

Safety and security

Safety and security

Practical advice

• Read our Know Before You Go travel guide for useful security tips when travelling abroad
• Get advice locally about areas of risk and security concerns
• Take common-sense precautions about safety and security
• Know who to contact in case of an emergency

Social unrest

The political situation in Argentina is reasonably stable but there can be occasional outbreaks of social unrest. You may encounter groups of demonstrators (piqueteros) blocking major roads into and out of the capital, causing delays and possibly a change in route.

Always keep yourself informed of what’s going on around you by monitoring local media and staying in contact with your hotel or tour organiser. Avoid demonstrations and public gatherings, which can sometimes turn confrontational.  

Terrorism

Although the threat from terrorism in Argentina is low, there is still a global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by tourists and expatriates. 

Crime

Crime remains relatively low in Argentina but you should take sensible precautions: 

• Don’t carry your credit card, travel tickets and money together - leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place. 
• Don’t carry your passport unless absolutely necessary and leave a copy of your passport (and travel and insurance documents) with family or friends at home.
• Avoid showing large sums of money in public and don’t use ATMs after dark, especially if you’re alone. Check no one has followed you after conducting your business.
• Avoid dark and unlit streets and stairways, and arrange to be picked up or dropped off as close to your hotel or apartment entrance as possible.
• Keep a close eye on your personal belongings and hold on to them in public places such as internet cafés, train and bus stations.

Petty theft

You should be particularly careful in Retiro bus station in Buenos Aires, on the Buenos Aires underground transport system and in the city of Mendoza, where there has been a lot of pick-pocketing and bag-snatching.

A common scam in Buenos Aires is for one thief to spray a sauce on you, which prompts another thief, posing as an innocent passer-by, to come to your aid and clean your clothes, while also stealing your possessions.

More violent crime has been reported in the area around San Telmo and La Boca in Buenos Aires and you should avoid carrying valuables in these areas.

Counterfeit banknotes

There are quantities of counterfeit banknotes in circulation in Argentina. You can visit the Argentine Central Bank website to see what to look out for in a counterfeit note.

Taxi drivers, particularly those working from the airport, have been known to accuse customers of handing over fake money and handing them back a fake note that they already have in their possession. When paying drivers, be extremely careful and consider taking note of the serial number of the bill before you pay the driver.

If you’re hailing a taxi on the street, make sure you only hail a radio taxi; they have a logo on the rear passenger door and often a light or sign on the roof of the car.

Reporting crime

If you’re a victim of a crime while in Argentina, report it to the local police immediately. And you can contact us at the Irish Embassy in Buenos Aires if you need help.

Driving

If you’re planning to drive in Argentina, you should be extremely careful. Road safety standards vary throughout the country; respect for speed limits and traffic signals is patchy and manoeuvres by fellow road users can be unexpected. 

Crime against car users, particularly when stopped at traffic lights, is a growing danger and we advise you to keep your windows closed and doors locked at all times, particularly when you’re driving in the city.

If you want to drive:

• Bring your international driving license and make sure you have adequate and appropriate insurance
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law and you risk being detained, fined or banned from driving if caught
• Be aware of Argentina’s traffic laws, such as speed limits
• Wear your seatbelts at all times
• Keep your vehicle doors locked and your bags kept out of sight to prevent opportunistic bag-snatching if you’re stopped at traffic lights

If you’re hiring a vehicle, we advise you not to hand over your passport as a form of security. If you’re allowing your passport to be photocopied, keep it in your sight at all times.

Check that you have adequate insurance and read the small print of the vehicle hire contract (particularly any waiver that will come into effect if the vehicle is damaged).

Local laws and customs

Local laws and customs

Practical advice

• Read our travel advice, inform yourself before travelling and get advice locally when you arrive
• Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them
• Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or even illegal

Illegal drugs

Illegal drug use (no matter what the drug) carries stiff penalties, including fines and long prison terms.

Natural disasters and climate

Natural disasters and climate

Practical advice

• If you’re travelling to Argentina, make sure you know what to expect – then plan and pack so that you’re prepared
• Get local advice on how to manage in the case of a serious incident or dangerous conditions
• Co-operate with local authorities and emergency services in the case of serious incidents 

Climate

Argentina's climate is generally temperate but because it’s such a large country, there can be major regional variations in climate. You can expect extreme heat in the northern regions, a pleasant climate in the central pampas, and sub-Antarctic cold in Patagonia’s glacial regions. 

Throughout the country, January is the warmest month while June and July are the coldest.  The mean annual temperature in Buenos Aires is 16°C, in the extreme north the Chaco area comes in at about 23°C.

Earthquake

Argentina is in an active earthquake zone and there have been sporadic earthquakes in western sections of the country along the border with Chile. If you’re travelling to or living in Argentina, make sure you know what to do in the event of an earthquake.

Additional information

Additional information

Entry requirements (visa/passport)

If you are unsure of what the entry requirements for Argentina are, including visa and other immigration information, ask your travel agent or contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Argentina.

You can also check with them how long your passport must be valid for.

Health

Check with your doctor well in advance of travelling to see if you need any vaccinations for Argentina.