Tipping is customary in restaurants, bars and cafes, usually around 10% of the bill if you're happy with the service received. Leaving no tip when feeling dissatisfied is not uncommon, and the reason is understood. Many restaurants also levy a small fixed cover charge. Tips are also common for hotel staff, delivery people, hotel and bus porters and taxi drivers . It is customary to tip the ushers in theatres and opera houses if they hand out programmes. For Spa services, it is customary to tip 15% of the bill.

Distances are immense in Argentina, and you are likely to spend a considerable portion of your budget on travel. Ground transport (mostly bus) is best for giving a true impression of the scale of the country and for appreciating the landscape. However, you may want to cover some big areas, particularly to and around Patagonia, in which case travelling by domestic flights can often save a day or more. Train services are run-down and limited and not generally a viable method of getting around.

Spanish is the official language of Argentina, however the dialect spoken differs from that in Spain and has a strong Italian influence. 

Please consult a medical practitioner or contact The Travel Doctor for your specific risk and requirements when travelling to Argentina. Australians travelling to Argentina should ensure that they have adequate travel insurance to cover the length of their stay. For further information please visit the Smartraveller website

Electrical Plug type: Australian (I) and European (C)
Voltage: 220V
Modem Plug: American (same as Australia)

Special Tip: The Argentine electrical plug and the Australian socket look the same, however the polarity of the active and neutral pins are reversed. 

Country Code for Argentina: +54
Visa Global Assistance: 0800 666 0171

Emergency Services: Ambulance - 107 Police - 101 or 911 Fire - 100 The emergency services may not have English speaking staff. Tourist Police (English Speaking): Buenos Aires - 0800 999 5000 Mendoza - 0261 413 2135

Most shops in the main cities of Argentina are open Monday to Saturday from 9am or 10am to 8pm or 9pm and they do not open on Sundays. Large shopping malls don't close before 10pm and their food and beverage sections may stay open as late as midnight and, many of them, open on Sundays. During the day, they may close at midday to avoid the heat and reopen again in the afternoon.

Banks are open Monday to Friday 10am-3pm and general office business hours are 9am-6pm. Restaurants are open 12pm-3.30pm and 8pm-midnight or later.  Bars open in the evening between 7pm and 9pm staying open through until 4am or 6am nightly, while clubs do not open until very late, usually between 1am-2am staying open until 6am or 8am on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Travel Corporation has partnered with the company Sherpa to provide travellers with the latest government and health restrictions. Simply enter the country you want to travel to for information on safety regulations, border closures, quarantine requirements, your travel visa and more using the Sherpa travel tool.

FIND OUT WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR YOUR TRIP

Official travel advice is available by visiting the SmartTraveller Website

Argentines are on the whole open, blunt, and direct, yet are able to remain tactful and diplomatic. They are a warm people and their unreservedness brings to the fore their passion and sentimentality. In addition they are close communicators physically so will often touch each other when speaking and maintain little physical distance between speakers. If you are invited to an Argentine home, dress well, and arrive 30 minutes later that invited as arriving on time is not the norm. Call you hosts the following day to thank them. If you are given a gift in Argentina, make sure you open it immediately. Pouring wine in Argentina has many rituals and taboos so try to avoid doing this.