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Argentina

If you’re travelling to Argentina, our travel advice and updates give you practical tips and useful information.

Security Status

  • Normal precautions
  • High degree of caution
  • Avoid non-essential travel
  • Do not travel
  • Overview
  • Safety and Security
  • Local Laws and Customs
  • Natural Disasters and Climate
  • Additional Information
  • Embassy Contact

Overview

Overview

Security Status

Normal Precautions

Travel to Argentina

Argentina’s borders are open to all international travellers, so long as they comply with immigration requirements.

There are no COVID-19 restrictions in place for travel to Argentina. There is no requirement to present certificates of vaccination/testing for COVID-19 or to complete a Passenger Locator Form.

Information on entry and exit requirements is available here. Please note that measures are subject to change at short notice, and citizens should consult the latest information before departure. 

COVID-19 

Argentina is now in a phase of mandatory social distancing. However, restrictions at national and local level may vary. The situation continues to evolve and you should check with local authorities what measures have been introduced in your location.

Please see the following website for useful information, on specific measures in place in the Buenos Aires City Federal Capital. Further information on national measures, including Buenos Aires province (which covers much of the city suburbs), is available on the Ministry of Health website.

Movement between jurisdictions is permitted, as long as you meet the requirements of the specific jurisdiction/ province that you wish to travel to. These requirements can include having a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, applying for a permit to circulate or a permit for tourism purposes. You must check the requirements in place ahead of travelling.

Please remember that measures may be imposed at short notice and can change rapidly.  You are advised to stay informed of measures being taken by authorities in the areas you are travelling to. We recommend contacting your airline or tour operator and following the advice of the Argentine Ministry of Health.

If you are in Argentina, you should monitor developments regularly and follow the advice of local authorities.

General Travel Advice

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

We suggest you learn as much as you can about Argentina before your trip from travel agents, tour operators and guide books. 

To report emergencies, contact the police, an ambulance, or the fire department by dialling 911 from any phone except in Cordoba, Mendoza, Iguazu, Tucuman, and Tierra del Fuego provinces, in which you need to dial 101 for emergency services.

If you are in Buenos Aires City, the Tourist Police (Comisaría del Turista) can assist with missing persons, lost items and victims of theft. This service is available in English and the contact details are as follows:  Av. Corrientes 436. Tel. +54 9 11 5050 3293 / 9260 (Both lines available 24/7 & also via Whatsapp)

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

Safety and Security

Safety and security

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.

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
  • 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

Local laws and customs

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

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)

There are no visa requirements for Irish citizens traveling to Argentina for touristic purposes (up to 90 days).

Six month passport validity is required from the date of entry to Argentina and one blank passport page. Please check your passport in plenty of time before travel and if it needs to be renewed please use our Online Passport Renewal System.

Irish citizens travelling to Argentina for other purposes should contact their nearest Argentinian Embassy in advance of their visit to clarify their visa requirements.

Health

Check with your doctor well in advance of travelling (8 weeks) to see if you need any vaccinations for Argentina.

There is a risk of Zika Virus (a dengue-like mosquito-borne disease) in Central and South America and the Caribbean. Irish citizens especially those with a weakened immune system or women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant are advised to follow guidance available on the website of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC)

Embassy contact

Embassy Contact

Outside office hours, for genuine emergencies involving Irish citizens, which cannot wait until the next working day, please call +54 9 11 5945 7483.

You may also wish to contact the Duty Officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin on +353 1 408 2000.

Embassy of Ireland
Edificio Bluesky
6th Floor
Avenida del Libertador 1068
Recoleta
Buenos Aires
Argentina

Tel: +54 11 4808 5700
Fax: +54 11 5787 0802

Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm

Contact us