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Argentina has excellent worldwide air connections, with Aeropuerto Internacional Ezeiza, outside Buenos Aires, the main international airport. A departure tax of US$23.50 (plus 21% IVA) is payable on international flights; the tax is US$5 (plus 21% IVA) on flights to Uruguay.

A multitude of land and river crossing points connect Argentina with neighboring Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Chile. Travel from Chile usually involves a hike through the Andes, while overland travel to Bolivia can go through the border towns of La Quiaca, Tarija or Pocitos/Yacuiba. Paraguay can be reached by bus and/or river launch, and the most common crossing to Brazil is via Foz do Iguaçu or Uruguaiana. Uruguay is linked to Argentina by road bridges, and ferries sail between Buenos Aires and Colonia in Uruguay.

Money and Costs

Currency: Peso ($)

Meals


• Budget: US$4-10

• Mid-range: US$10-20

• Top-end: US$20 and upwards
  
  Lodging
  

• Budget: US$20-30

• Mid-range: US$30-40

• Top-end: US$40 and upwards

Argentina is an expensive country - so expensive that Argentines have been in the habit of taking their holidays in 'cheap' countries, like the USA. This does not mean that budget travel is impossible, since food, lodging and transportation can be cheaper than in both the USA and Europe. However, budget travelers should expect to spend at least US$35-40 per day; while those staying in more comfortable hotels and eating at restaurants should expect to spend closer to US$100 per day.

In the past, Argentine money presented real problems to those visitors unaccustomed to hyperinflation. When Argentine economists spoke hopefully of single digit inflation, they meant per month. In the last few years, however, the economy has stabilized and inflation is currently not a problem. Given Argentina's history of economic instability, savvy travelers should keep a watch on the exchange markets and on economic events.

US dollars are currently legal tender almost everywhere and, for the most part, it's unnecessary to change US cash into pesos. If you do need to exchange money, US dollars are the preferred currency - only in Buenos Aires will you be easily able to change European currencies. Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted credit cards. Tipping around 10% is customary in restaurants if the economy is ticking along nicely. Bargaining is uncommon, except in the artisan markets of the Andean northwest.