COMMUNICATIONS

Telephone system
There are public pay phone booths on most streets and Avenidas in the city centre. You will also find them in restaurants, bars, shopping malls and stands. In the rest of the city they are harder to find. They are coin operated or use phone cards or a combination of both. Minimum charge is 20 centavos and they will also accept 5, 10. 25 and 50-centavo pieces as well as 1 Peso coins as well as telephone cards that can be bought in stands and in the offices of the phone companies.
You can also find cash based attended phone centres, which are open 24 hours a day and from which you can make long distance national or international calls.
When trying to call Buenos Aires from abroad, you will need to dial the Argentinean country code (54), city or area code (11) and then the local number in Buenos Aires.
If you want to call from Argentina to another country first dial 00, then the country code, then area code and then the local number. Your phone operator can give you information on Argentinean area codes and other area codes outside Argentina.

Fax
You can send faxes from phone centres found all over the city. Most hotels also offer this service.

Internet
There are many businesses all over the city that provide internet services around the clock. Most are to be found on the major Avenidas and commercial areas. The abovementioned telephone centres also offer this service. Prices are between 1 to 2 pesos per hour.

Mail service
The Argentinean official state mail service is called "Correo Argentino". It sends and receives letters, postcards, packages and money transfers. It has offices all over the city and is open between 10AM to 6PM, Mondays through Fridays. There are also private mail and package services such as Federal Express, DHL, UPS, Andreani and Oca.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
It is forbidden to bring plants, vegetables, fruits and perishable food products into Argentina. You are allowed to bring pets, but they must be certified and their vaccines must be up-to-date.

SALES TAX AND REFUNDS
General sales tax (IVA) is 21%, and is generally included in prices unless marked: + IVA (Spanish acronym for value added tax). If, upon leaving the country you have acquired products for a value above 70 pesos (per invoice) you can recuperate the amount due to IVA through purchases in the tax-free shops at the airport departure lounge. You can easily find them since they have a sticker with the words "TAX FREE" on their windows.

VISAS
Contact the Argentinean embassy or consulate in your hometown regarding the need for a visa to enter Argentina. People from neighbouring countries, i.e. Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil only need an ID document to enter Argentina. Your travel agent or airline office can also help you with information regarding requirements.

VISA ESTENSIONS
If you wish to extend your stay in Argentina you must pay a visit to Dirección Nacional de Migraciones, Avenida Antártida Argentina 1355 - Retiro. Information can be obtained by calling: 4317-0200.

PERSONAL SAFETY AND SECURITY
Buenos Aires is generally a safe city. But as in any large city one must always be on the look out for dangers and thieves. You can usually walk the streets safely, even at night, but always with an eye open for danger. Follow these simple precautions:

• After 10PM avoid hailing taxis in the streets. It is preferable to call for radio taxis or deluxe service cars.
• Leave your passport and surplus cash or travellers checks in the hotel safe.
• Do not conspicuously carry around valuable objects or wear a lot of jewellery. .
• Try to avoid showing your camera in too obvious a manner.
• Always carry a personal ID with you.
• So called kangaroo pouches to use inside your clothing or internal pockets with zippers are very useful.
• A travellers insurance taken out in your own country will be very helpful if and when needed.
• Try to keep the number of pieces of luggage and carry on bags to a minimum; it will reduce the risk of forgetting any of them.
• Always keep your carry on bags in sight at airports and train stations.
• Be careful with your belongings when using the Underground or subway or anywhere where there are big crowds.
• In case of emergency dial 101 from any public phone.
• Due to the economic crisis in the country, you will find many beggars on the streets; the best thing is to ignore them and continue walking.

If your flight is a long one, here follow some advice given by physicians and other experts on the subject:

• It is preferable to eat and drink lightly while flying. However, you will need extra water to replace the loss in the dry atmosphere of modern aircraft.
• Wear comfortable clothing and while in the air loosen your belt, eventual necktie and shoes.
• To do some exercises to loosen up the neck, the hands, arms and feet will make you feel more comfortable.

POLICE AND SECURITY FORCES
The federal police (do not forget that Buenos Aires is a federal capital) patrol on foot, horse and in police cars. They wear blue uniforms.
The port area is under the protection of the Navy Prefecture, which members wear brown uniforms and protect the maritime district.

CURRENCY
The Argentinean currency is called the peso and is divided into 100 centavos. If you need to change foreign currency you should do so in an authorised money exchange office.

One peso coins are made out of two metals, coloured golden and silver. 50-centavo coins are golden. 25, 10 and 5-centavo coins may be golden or silver. One-centavo coins are copper coloured. All bills are the same size and all have the face of an Argentinean founding father engraved on them.

EXCHANGE RATES
In Argentina exchange rates are favourable to foreign visitors. Foreign currency is exchanged in the above mentioned currency exchange offices or in the banks. The best option is the banks. (Banking hours are from 10AM till 3PM). If you need to change money outside these hours, please use the services of a currency exchange office or talk to the people at the front desk of your hotel. In some areas of the city you will find people on the streets offering to change your money: DO NOT ACCEPT. Some hotels and shops accept US dollars with no problem, and they usually have no problems changing it into pesos, but you will probably get a more favourable exchange rate at the bank.

PROVINCE OR BEARER BONDS
Due to the economic crisis in Argentina, the Province of Buenos Aires has emitted "bonos provinciales" that are used as means of exchange or common currency. However, not all shops will accept them. They are commonly known as "Patacones" or "LeCop" and have the same value as the official currency. We recommend that you do NOT accept any kind of bonds. If you pay in pesos, you should receive your difference in pesos. Please be careful in checking that your bills are peso bills and not any other denomination, as sometimes people will try to pass on older no longer valid bills to the unsuspecting traveller.

TRAVELLER CHECKS
Very few shops in Buenos Aires will accept traveller checks. The fastest and best way is to have them changed in a bank or the above-mentioned currency exchange offices.

CREDIT CARDS
Most commercial outlets, restaurants and bars will accept major credit cards, but due to the economic situation and inflation there is a possibility that in some cases they will add on a 15 to 20% surcharge. Before handing over your credit card, please check what their custom is. The most generally accepted cards are those of Visa, MasterCard, American Express y Diners Club.

TO BLOCK STOLEN OR LOST CREDI CARDS PLEASE CALL:
American Express: 4312-0900
MasterCard: 4345-1322
Visa: 4379-3400
Diners Club: 47082484