Last Updated: 14 November 2000
Still Current at: 14 December 2000

MOST VISITS TO ARGENTINA ARE TROUBLE-FREE, ALTHOUGH THEFTS AND ROBBERIES, SOMETIMES INVOLVING VIOLENCE, CONTINUE TO OCCUR.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

In Buenos Aires the most frequent problems involve bag snatching and armed robberies in the street, in taxis and restaurants. Be alert at all times: con-men have frequently robbed tourists while an accomplice pretends to help remove ketchup or mustard which has been "accidentally" sprayed on them. Another common occurrence is to slit handbags in crowded places.

Visitors should avoid carrying too much cash or wearing ostentatious jewellery.

TERRORISM

In early 1999 a small incendiary device was activated outside premises with a British association, in Buenos Aires. This followed similar incidents in November 1998 (one in La Plata, of a small nationalist group which, we believe poses no significant threat to tourists.

LOCAL TRAVEL

Avoid isolated/poorly-lit areas at night. Hail moving taxis rather than those waiting at the kerbside. Do not offer resistance in the event of an attempted robbery. If you are being met at the airport and you do not know your greeter, ensure you identify his/her bona fides before accepting a lift.

When travelling on the local buses remain alert at all times. Pickpockets are rife. If you are robbed, you should inform the local police. In Buenos Aires, a 24-hour police helpline in English has been opened on telephone number, 101, to help victims.

LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

Visitors should not become involved with drugs of any kind. Possession f even very small quantities can lead to a minimum of 4-and-a-half year prison sentence.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

British citizens do not require a visa to enter Argentina as a tourist. On presentation of a valid British passport you will be granted a 90-day stay in the country. To enter Argentina for any other purpose, you should contact the Argentine Consulate in London regarding entry requirements - before travelling.

HEALTH

Asthma, sinus and bronchial problems can be aggravated by the polluted atmosphere in the city. Medical facilities are good, but can be expensive.

NATURAL DISASTERS

Many of the northern provinces or Argentina suffer from seasonal flooding. This can lead to disruption to transport, delivery of foodstuffs etc.

GENERAL

Passports should be left in a hotel safe/security box except when being used for identification purposes eg. Expensive purchases; cashing travellers cheques. Keep a photocopy of the details page of your passport.

Travellers should take out full insurance cover for medical treatment and accidents, as well as insurance cover for unexpected losses such as cancelled flights, stolen cash, cards passport or luggage.

British Diplomatic Missions in Argentina: contact details

For medical and inoculations advice, contact your GP. The Department of Health's Health Advice for Travellers website provides travel health information for people travelling abroad from the UK. The site advises on health risks around the world and how to avoid them, a country-by-country immunisation checklist and how to obtain medical treatment abroad.
Visa information is available from the relevant Embassy/Consulate in London.
FCO Travel Advice is also displayed on BBC2 CEEFAX (see p470 for details). NB: While every care has been taken in preparing these notes, neither Her Majesty's Government nor any member of the British Consular Staff abroad can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.

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