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Visa, Passport and Money Matters

There is no visa required for entry into Argentina or Chile, providing you hold a valid British passport and your intended stay is no longer than 90 days. Your passport should be valid for the whole duration of your stay in Argentina or Chile.

For up to date visa and travel information go to: http://www.fco.gov.uk.

For more information about UK passports go to: http://www.ips.gov.uk.

If you are flying via the United States don't forget to submit a visa waiver form prior to departure at: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. This should be done 2 weeks before departure.

Argentina and Chile money matters

The currency in Argentina is the Argentine peso (ARS). Exchange rate per March 2012: £1 = ARS$ 6.89. The currency in Chile is the Chilean peso (CLP), exchange rate per March 2012: £1 = CLP$ 761.

Cash machines: can be found all over Argentina and Chile with the exception of remote locations like Torres del Paine National Park and El Chalten, which have no banks or cash machines at all, so make sure you have sufficient cash if you’re travelling to out-of-the-way destinations. The maximum withdrawal is 3 daily withdrawals of 300 pesos.

Credit card: Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted throughout Argentina and Chile. Traveller Cheques aren’t really necessary because you can withdraw cash almost everywhere.

Tips: tipping is customary in restaurants, cafes, taxis and other services. 10% tip is standard.

Argentina visa currency - Bienvenidos a la Argentina

Argentina and Chile travel health

There are no compulsory vaccinations required for travel to Argentina and Chile, although Tetanus, Typhoid, Diphtheria, Polio and Hepatitis A are recommended. Yellow fever and anti-malaria tablets are recommended for the tropical areas in northern Argentina (Iguazú). For the most up to date health information, and to check your personal medical history please contact your local travel health clinic or your GP/nurse.

Vaccinations for Brazil: Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only if you're arriving in Brazil from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Peru, Suriname or Venezuela. In other cases yellow fever is recommended.

Here are a couple of websites providing excellent information about travel health:
World Health Organisation: http://www.who.int/countries/arg/en

Fit for Travel: http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/south-america/argentina.aspx

Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with long sleeves and trousers, particularly in the evening, and use insect repellent. This particularly applies to the Lake District and the tropical north-east (Iguazú). Always be cautious of the quality of the drinking water and drink bottled whenever possible.

Sunscreen and a sun hat are vital in the summer months, when the sun can be particularly strong in the north-west (Salta, Atacama Desert), if you’re in or around the water in the Lake District or Peninsula Valdes, and trekking in the ice and mountains of Torres del Paine.

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