The country's interior is temperate. During the mild summers the average maximum temperature is 23°C (74°F), while in winter the average maximum temperature is 9°C (49°F).
Coastal weather in the north is humid and hot and summer temperatures often reach 30°C (86°F) drawing plenty of sun-seekers to Argentina's shores each season. In Buenos Aires winters are generally mild, although occasionally the city receives a light dusting of snow.
Stretching over 3,500km (2,174 miles) from the Bolivian border to the chilly tip of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina enjoys a diversity of climatic conditions. The climate is generally a temperate one, the tapering southern region moderated by both the Atlantic and the Pacific and creating a surprisingly moderate temperature for those latitudes. Only a sliver of the country in the northeast has characteristics of the tropical climate which rules most of the remainder of South America. Then there are the surprising pockets – the icy, dry tundra climate of the high Andes, and the semiarid stretch running to the east of the Andes in the rainshadow of the mighty mountains.
The official Argentine currency is the Peso which is on a par with the US dollar and fluctuates with it. There are notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 pesos and coins of 1, 2 and 5 pesos, and 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 centavos.
$1US = 1.00 PESO
€1 = 0.91 PESO
£1IR = 1.16 PESO
1JPY = 0.01 PESO
PASSPORTS: Passport valid for 6 months required by all except nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay who, for journeys that do not go beyond Argentina and these five countries, may use their national ID cards
Visas are required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of the countries shown in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days;
(b) nationals of Andorra, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Israel, Liechtenstein, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela and Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) for stays of up to 90 days;
(c) nationals of Hong Kong (British Nationals Overseas), Jamaica and Malaysia for stays of up to 30 days;
(d) transit passengers holding confirmed onward or return tickets for travel provided continuing their journey within 6 hours and not leaving the airport.
Note: Visa exemptions mentioned above are for tourist and business purposes only. However, business travellers are advised to contact the Argentinian Consulate before departure.
Types of visa and cost: Tourist, Business, 15 day visa (issued to artists, musicians, etc.) and Transit. The cost is £18.33.
Validity: Visas are generally valid for stays of up to 90 days. Extensions for a further 90 days are possible for some nationals; contact the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) for details.
It is worth noting what the public holidays are before you travel to a country as the majority of businesses, banks and shops usually shut for the day. In Argentina they take place on January 1st, April 12th, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May 1st and 25th, Jun 10th and 18th, July 9th, August 16th, October 16th and December 8th and 25th. It is a good idea to check the particular area too as certain towns and cities also shut down during special events.