Voluntario Global Pre Departure Guide

Congratulations! You’ve just taken the first step of an incredible journey. Firstly, we would like to say a massive THANK YOU for taking this step. Secondly, we’d like to tell you exactly what is in store for you along the way.

So... ready to go?

Before you start, you need to see what the requirements are in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic to enter Argentina. Since November 2021 foreigners are not required to quarantine and can enter if they meet the following requirements:

About COVID-19 INFORMATION

  • Complete vaccination schedule dated at least 14 days prior to your arrival in the country. In this way, you will NOT be obliged to undergo quarantine. A complete vaccination schedule is defined by the health authorities of the country of vaccination.
  • Insurance with COVID-19 coverage

1. PACKING

  • Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends at home in case they need to contact you in an emergency. Also, leave the information about your passport, airline tickets, and the credit cards that you plan to bring with you.
  • Remember to have all your documents on your cellphone and/or a photocopy of them. We recommend having a photocopy of your Passport to take around the city so you can leave your original passport at the accommodation placement. To have a copy on your cellphone is useful but you can always run out of battery!
  • Check the weather forecast of the destination and plan accordingly
  • The clothes you wear will depend on the season and your own relationship with the weather
  • The climate is mainly humid, in summer (December to March) temperatures exceed 30 C° and sometimes reach 40 C°. For this time of the year, we recommend bringing sun protection and cool and comfortable clothes.
  • Winter, on the other hand, is not as cold as in many other countries and it is rarely 0 C° in Buenos Aires.
  • It is important to keep in mind if you plan to make other trips during your stay as temperatures vary throughout the country. If you plan to go south, really warm clothes are necessary.

2. VISA INFORMATION

Most travelers do not need a visa to enter Argentina. Here you can check if you need a visa according to your country: https://www.migraciones.gov.ar/accesible/indexdnm.php?visas  Volunteers enter the country as tourists and can stay for up to 90 days. Extensions on visas are possible; our coordinators will advise you on this process.

3. ENTRY AND DEPARTURE FEES

You will fly into (Ezeiza) Ministro Pistarini International Airport or Aeroparque Jorge Newbery. Please check with us before purchasing any flight tickets.

If you haven't booked any transfer, we recommend using CABIFY (as UBER is not legal in Argentina and might have some troubles at the airport, but it's ok to use it within the city) or a TAXI in one of the airport stands (you can look for TAXI EZEIZA).

Since 2016, the reciprocity fee that used to be charged to U.S., Canadian and Australian citizens is no longer in effect.

4. HEALTH & VACCINATIONS

There is a low risk of yellow fever, cholera and malaria in some northern provinces, so it is wise to seek your doctor's advice when travelling to these areas. However, since the outbreak of yellow fever in neighboring Brazil and Paraguay in January/February 2008, it is recommended that all visitors to regions bordering these countries, including Iguazu Falls, be inoculated against yellow fever.

A hepatitis A vaccination is recommended before travelling to Argentina as well as a typhoid vaccination for those who might eat or drink outside major restaurants and hotels. Water is safe to drink in major towns and cities. However you should check now with your doctor or local travel clinic, as they will have the most up to date information. Also, for up-to-date information on recommended vaccinations check the WHO’s webpage (https://www.who.int) or your government’s travel health website (e.g. US government’s www.cdc.gov/travel).

5. INSURANCE

It is strongly recommended that you have full travel and medical insurance. We recommend World Nomads . They offer comprehensive and affordable insurance policies, you can get a free and instant quote from their website. Remember since 2021 is mandatory to have a health insurance that covers COVID-19.

6. USE OF US DOLLARS IN BUENOS AIRES

It is recommended that you bring US Dollars to Buenos Aires, for most of your travel funds, rather than changing money into Argentine pesos before you come here, or using ATMs in Argentina to withdraw pesos (the amount you can withdrawn is limited and It is recommended that you bring US Dollars to Buenos Aires, for most of your travel funds, rather than changing money into Argentine pesos before you come here, or using ATMs in Argentina to withdraw pesos (the amount you can withdrawn is very limited and at A VERY LOW RATE). We do not recommend changing all the money at the airport as they do not usually have good exchange rates, however, it is a good idea to change a little to pay for a cab or other service you may need until you change money in the city). Volunteers recommend transferring money directly to yourself via Western Union. WU has persistently better exchange rates than the formal bank exchange rate (often more than double). You simply transfer the money from your account and collect it from the many WU offices around the city and towns. Do not transfer sums above $100US as the WU offices may not have enough pesos.

7. SOME CULTURAL FACTS

  • The greetings are very affectionate. Although with the pandemic we started to greet each other with fists, the tradition is hugs and kisses. This is sometimes a bit shocking for foreigners, but it is part of the culture!
  • The schedules are different and so are the meals. Usually, breakfast is not very abundant, the classic is coffee with croissants or toast. Lunch is usually between 12 and 2 PM although on weekends it can be even later. Tea time (or "mate" time) is usually between 5 PM and 7 PM and dinner is usually from 9 PM onwards! That's why the nightclubs close at 7 AM and the most massive arrival time is around 1/2 AM.
  • If you have learned Spanish, it is important to know that the Argentine accent takes some time to adapt. In general, we speak very fast and with colloquial words, so we recommend watching videos or Argentinean series before coming to adapt to the accent.
  • Most Argentines are late everywhere!

8. OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

About transportation:

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VOLUNTARIO GLOBAL

Voluntario Global helps local communities by being available to discuss anything that local organizations need, and offering ideas for further change and development.
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CONTACT

Location: General Pacheco. Buenos Aires. Argentina
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