|
Greater Buenos Aires - Host City
Buenos Aires is a city of 11 million inhabitants, the ninth-largest
city in the world that represents the best of classical Europe and
the most modern advantages of the beginning of the century.
This complex, energetic, and seductive port city, which stretches
south-to-north along the Rio de la Plata, has been the gateway to
Argentina for centuries. Porteños, as the multinational people
of Buenos Aires are known, possess an elaborate and rich cultural
identity.
This is a city characterized by the multiplicity of its artistic
expressions, ranging from the great assortment of sculptures and
monuments to streets and corners that surprise the visitor with
their allegorical reliefs and murals.
The city’s museums, art galleries and theaters bear witness
to its reputation as one of the most important cities in the Americas
for its cultural and artistic activities. Although it is a modern
city with imposing turn-of-the-century European-style buildings,
it also has some well-preserved districts of typical colonial architecture.
It has everything to turn your visit into unforgettable experiences.
The well-known warmth of its people, its groovy tangos and the exciting
Sunday soccer afternoons are marvelous. Buenos Aires is also a safe
city. Lastly, its cosmopolitan atmosphere, unique in South America,
will probably surprise you.
In the last few years, the city has undergone a startling transformation
in terms of urban planning, architecture, the economy and cultural
life.
Argentina
Located
in South America, and thus in the southern hemisphere, Argentina
has an area of almost 3.8 million square kilometers.
Argentina’s main characteristic is the enormous contrast between
the immense eastern plains and the impressive Andes mountain range
to the west.
It is a land of contrasts with endless tourist attractions; from
kilometers of beaches to the imposing Andes; from the starkness
of polar landscapes to tropical rainforests; from unique geological
rock formations to the vast plains of the Pampas. The scenery has
something to offer everybody and variety to please all.
The warmth of its people, the European architecture of its main
cities, and a wide range of dining options with the typical "asado"
as main course will guarantee an unforgettable trip.
Access
by air and getting into the city
Buenos
Aires can easily be reached by plane or car. It is served by two
airports. The “Ministro Pistarini” is the international
airport, located at Ezeiza; it is 35 km (22 miles) southwest of
downtown Buenos Aires. This airport is the main gate to Argentina,
where all international flights arrive. To travel downtown you can
book an Airport transfer, take a bus or a taxi:
BUS: There is a good bus service from the airport terminal to the
city center, offering a service about every 1/2 hour from 5.00 to
22.00 h . Purchase a ticket from the booth just outside the customs
area. The fare is about US$ 8. The buses go to all the major downtown
hotels and the central bus terminal.
PRIVATE CARS: Ignore the many offers for a ride to the city from
the crowd of drivers outside the arrivals hall. Go to the counter
in the arrivals area to book a car to the city. The fare to the
city center is about US$ 25. Travel time about 45 minutes, depending
on the traffic.
The Jorge Newbery Airport is located on the city riverside, five
minutes from downtown. From there you can fly to the provinces and
some neighboring countries.
For further information check the airports website: www aa2000.com.ar
Transportation within the city
The Buenos Aires public transportation system allows for easy traveling
within the city: five subway lines (A, B, C, D, and E) and about
one hundred city bus lines (“colectivos”). The subway
network connects the most important areas of the city with the Congress
venue. The nearest subway station to the venue is Plaza Italia,
Line D. At rush hours, both subways and buses are very crowded,
for which reason we recommend that you take taxis. All official
taxis in the city are black and yellow, and many can be called by
phone, so called radio taxis, wich we recommend.
Credit Cards
Major credit cards are accepted
in most hotels, stores and restaurants. The Congress Secretariat
will accepted Mastercard, Visa and American Express.
Banks / ATM (Automatic Teller Machines)
Banks open at 10.00 h and close
at 15.00 h. Cash withdrawals and other transactions may be made
at ATMs, 24 hours a day.
ATMs are located all around the city. You can withdraw either pesos
or US dollars. They can also be used for cash advances on major
credit cards such as MasterCard, VISA, Amex or Diners.
Electric Current
The electric current in Argentina is 220 volts,
50 Cycles.
Weather
The climate of Buenos Aires is mild
all year round. In the sunny days of spring, mornings are slightly
cold; the temperature rises at midday and drops again at night.
The average temperature in October in Buenos Aires is about 16º
C (61º F).
If you plan to visit Patagonia, temperatures might drop below 0º
C (32º F).
Sanitary Information
No special measures must be taken
for travelling to Buenos Aires and to the main tourist destinations
in Argentina. Check with your physician for appropriate advice if
you plan on visiting other places in South America.
The public water supply is reliable.
Telephone
Argentina’s country code is 54. Buenos Aires’
area code is 11.
Time differences
Buenos Aires’ time zone is
3 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time.
Languages
The official language of the country
is Spanish, but English is spoken at most hotels, restaurants, shops
and in the main tourist areas.
Restaurants
The
cosmopolitan population of Buenos Aires is reflected in a variety
of excellent restaurants and cafés, at a walking distance
from the hotel zone, which are open until late at night. They offer
a diversity of cuisine including vegetarian food and the best beef.
In addition, Argentine wines are excellent and inexpensive, and
their outstanding quality is recognized around the world. Tipping
is not included in the service charge and is usually 10%.
Dinner is served from 20.00 h to midnight.
Tipping
Tipping
is not the general custom in Argentina and service charges are not
added to accounts by hotels and restaurants. However, you may tip
hotel porters and food and drink waiters in restaurants (up to 10%
of the bill) for special service. At any time, tipping is your choice.
Religion
Argentina recognizes freedom of
worship. The official religion is the Roman Catholic Church, represented
by an important number of churches. There are numerous other places
of public worship.
Security: cut your risk
Buenos Aires is a safe city, although
it is convenient to take some special precautions.
Practice the same caution you would practice when visiting major
metropolitan destinations in your country, and we are sure that
your stay in Buenos Aires will be very pleasant.
VAT
Refund
As
a foreign visitor, you have the right to a refund of the value-added
tax included in the price of the articles you take to your country.
At the airport you may obtain a VAT reimbursement corresponding
to any purchases made within the country for an amount over $70
(per invoice) and in shops operating with the “Global Refund”
system.
The VAT rate in Argentina is 21% (17.35% of the end value). On a
$100 purchase you will have 21% of VAT, which makes a total of $
121. That amount minus 17.35% is $ 100.
¿How much is refunded?
-
You’ll be refunded the amount of the VAT minus an administrative
charge which will vary according to the amount spent (between
75% – 95% of the total VAT).
¿How to get your refund?
-
Obtain your checks: GR checks are
the only legal way to recover your taxes. Once you shop in the
stores that exhibit Global Refund’s TAX FREE logotype
(more than 130,000 stores worldwide) you must ask for your refund
checks, besides the corresponding invoice. There will always
be someone to assist you in case you need help.
-
Go through Customs: GR checks MUST
be stamped by Customs before leaving Argentina. Unstamped checks
will not be refunded. Once stamped, checks have no expiration
date for you to claim your refund. When you leave the country,
present your purchases, invoices and passport to the Customs
personnel, and get your refund checks stamped. Customs staff
know Global Refund's system.
-
Cash your refund: there are various
ways to do it. You can cash your checks at the nearest office
of Global Refund, ask for the amount to be credited to your
credit card account or any other bank account you indicate,
or ask for the check to be mailed to an address of your choice.
In some countries, you can even get the amount when you get
back home. |
This
benefit is exclusively for products manufactured in Argentina.
“Ministro Pistarini” International Airport: At Terminal
A there are two Global Refund stands, one on the ground floor near
the Check In area and the other on the 1st floor near gates 1-5
& 6-10. At terminal B you can get your refund at the Assist
Card shop. Set aside time for this procedure.
For further information you may contact the Global Refund Argentina
S.A. office:
Florida 15, 4th floor, (C1005AAA) Buenos Aires
Phone: (+54) (11) 4342 2413 / 4334 0716
Fax: (+54) (11)4342-7561
E-mail: taxfree@ar.globalrefund.com
www.globalrefund.com
Formalities
Every person entering Argentina
should be in possession of a valid passport or ID card (neighboring
countries). Some countries require a visa. Please contact the nearest
Argentine Embassy or Consulate to your home for further information.
|
