Health and Diseases in Argentina
No vaccinations are required to enter Argentina. However, the Federal Foreign Office’s health service recommends vaccination against tetanus, hepatitis A and diphtheria, and vaccinations against hepatitis B, typhoid and rabies for long-term stays of more than 4 weeks and / or special exposure (such as poor hygienic conditions). For both children and adults, the standard vaccinations should be up to date according to the recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute.
The World Health Organization recommends a yellow fever vaccination when traveling to the following provinces:
the entire provinces of Formosa and Misiones,
the department of Bermejo in the province of Chaco,
in the province of Corrientes the departments Capital, Berón de Astrada, General Paz, General Alvear, Paso de los Libres, Ituzaingó, Itatí, San Miguel, San Cosme, San Tomé and San Martín,
in the province of Jujuy, the departments of Santa Barbara, Ledesma, Valle Grande and San Pedro,
in the province of Salta the departments Anta, General José de San Martín, Anta, Rivadavia and Orán.
A yellow fever vaccination should also be carried out when visiting the Iguazú National Park. However, there is no general yellow fever vaccination requirement in Argentina.
Malaria
Especially in the period between October and May, the nocturnal, blood-sucking Anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria. The disease does not have to break out immediately after transmission; it can take weeks to months for the first symptoms to appear. If there is a fever during this period, the attending physician should be made aware of the possibility of malaria. The form of malaria occurring in Argentina is exclusively the less dangerous malaria tertiana (transmitted by Plasmodium vivax).
In rural, low-lying regions of the extreme north (border areas with Paraguay and Bolivia) there is a low risk of malaria, all other parts of Argentina are malaria-free.
Chemoprophylaxis does not make sense when traveling to Argentina. For longer stays in the named areas with a risk of malaria, a dose of chloroquine (e.g. Resochin®) should be carried with you for emergency self-treatment (so-called stand-by medication). Discuss the dosage as well as possible side effects and intolerance to other drugs with your tropical medicine or travel doctor before taking them.
In addition to malaria, mosquitoes transmit other infectious diseases, which is recommended as preventive protection when traveling in Argentina
- to wear light-colored clothing covering the whole body (long trousers and shirts),
- Regularly apply insect repellent to all exposed parts of the body
- to use a mosquito net in the regions mentioned above
There have been isolated cases of dengue fever in Argentina in the recent past, particularly in the northern province of Formosa.
HIV / AIDS
The risk of a life-threatening infection with HIV / AIDS always arises from sexual contact and drug use (for example unclean cannulas or syringes or cannulas). The use of condoms is therefore always recommended, especially with casual acquaintances.
Diarrheal diseases
Typical diarrheal diseases can largely be avoided when traveling in Argentina by following appropriate drinking water and food hygiene. Numerous stomach and intestinal diseases can be traced back to drinking tap water as well as from consuming non-industrially produced ice cream and ice cubes.
Medical care in Argentina
In the metropolitan area of the capital Buenos Aires, inpatient and outpatient medical care is good. In rural regions, but also in larger cities, medical care cannot be compared with European standards.
When traveling to rural areas, it is therefore recommended that you have a first-aid kit with you with sufficient medication. It is also advisable to take out health insurance for travel abroad. This health insurance should also cover repatriation in the event of an emergency.
In addition to my general disclaimer, please note the following important note:
A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information and liability for any damage that may occur cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.
Argentina – money
Local currency: 1 peso is equal to 100 centavos
Currency abbreviation: $ A, ARS
Banknotes are issued to the value of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 $ A, coins to the value of 1 $ A and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 centavos.
US dollars are accepted in high-end hotels and tourist attractions. Restaurants outside of Buenos Aires usually do not accept US dollars. The prices in pesos as well as those in US dollars are marked with a ‘$’, ask the staff if you have any questions. Counterfeit peso and dollar notes have been in circulation recently, so be sure to check the banknotes you receive.
Exchange rate:
Currency converter at OANDA
Currency Exchange: According to businesscarriers, there are banks and exchange offices (Cambios) in the larger cities of Argentina. By far the easiest thing to do is to change from US dollars. With Euros, there may be difficulties changing outside of Buenos Aires. Since there is an increased crime rate in Argentina, you should only take as much cash with you as necessary when traveling in the country. At the borders you can easily exchange Uruguayan and Chilean pesos for Argentine pesos.
Credit Cards: Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted, but not quite as often as in the US or Europe
ATMs accept debit cards and credit cards. The daily maximum transaction limit, however, is often only 300 pesos (with a maximum of 10 daily transactions). If necessary, try out several machines.
Travelers checks should be made out in US dollars and can be exchanged at bureaux de change and banks. Outside of larger cities, however, it can be more difficult to exchange.
Foreign exchange regulations: Cash may be imported up to the equivalent of US $ 10,000. The import and export of money must be declared.
Bank opening times: Mon – Fri 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. or 4 p.m.
