Swoop says
Argentina's borders are open to fully vaccinated and unvaccinated international travellers without the need to quarantine. Being fully vaccinated is, however, strongly advised by the Argentine government, and may be required in order to board your Antarctic vessel.
The latest from Argentina
Argentina has removed all entry requirements related to Covid-19. You can read more about other requirements in our guide to visas and travel documentation.
Covid-19 vaccination is not mandatory to enter the country, but this measure could change and so it is highly recommended by the national government that you are fully vaccinated.
Please also be aware that your Antarctic operator may have their own requirements relating to Covid-19 that you need to comply with.
Finally, travel insurance is extremely important when visiting Antarctica and is a mandatory requirement for everyone. We strongly recommend that you take some time to read through our guide to arranging insurance for your adventure.
VAT payments in Argentina
At present, in both Chile and Argentina, tourists are not charged VAT (19% in Chile, 21%, in Argentina) for their hotel/accommodation rates. This is controlled by the hotel itself, via the customer's passport stamp and/or immigration paper receipt.
Please be aware, however, that the Argentine immigration office is no longer stamping passports and are issuing travellers with an immigration QR code instead.
This QR code will be sent via email to each traveller and will act as proof that they are not required to make VAT payments at their accommodation.
For the avoidance of doubt, neither Swoop nor our local partners will be held liable for any surcharges or any taxes, including VAT or its equivalent, that may be applied as a result of national or regional government policies.
Please note that such governmental policies can be modified at short notice and without prior notification.
Travel insurance
Whilst travel insurance is no longer an official requirement of the Argentine government when entering Argentina (official source), all international travellers are strongly recommended by the Argentine authorities to have medical insurance which covers any expenses relating to Covid-19.
Bear in mind that Argentina has previously required a fixed level of medical insurance for Covid-19, so although they have currently dropped this requirement, we are conscious that it could be brought back if the situation changes.
Here at Swoop, we require all customers to have adequate insurance and your Antarctic operator will also have their own requirements with which you need to comply.
Finally, we recommend that you carry a printout of your policy (and possibly a spare copy in case you lose one).
Visas & travel documentation
Passports
Your passport should be valid for the duration of your trip and for 6 months following your entry into Argentina, depending on your country of residency.
Visas
Citizens of the European Union, the UK, the United States, Canada and Australia (among other countries), will not be required to apply for a visa when travelling to Argentina. If you are travelling from certain countries not mentioned above, you may need to apply for a tourist visa - check with your local embassy.
If you're visiting Iguazu Falls, please be aware that you may need a visa to visit the Brazilian side of the waterfalls. Please check with your local embassy.
Reciprocity fees
If you are a US, UK, Canadian, Australian or Mexican national you won’t need to pay a reciprocity fee to enter Argentina. Some other nationalities may need to pay a fee, so do check with the Argentinian embassy in your home country.
Swoop says
We recommend bringing printed copies of all essential documents where possible. If you are relying on your phone, only to discover the battery has drained, or you don't have a signal or WIFI when you need it, this might add unnecessary stress to your journey.
Plug sockets in Argentina
When travelling around Argentina before or after your Antarctic expedition, you may need an adaptor to charge your electronics. The Argentinian plug socket is a bit unusual with holes for three flat prongs. However, the top prong doesn't have a function, so adaptors only include two angled prongs.
Some Argentinean plugs support the two cylindrical prong plugs that the Chileans use. US-style travel adaptors may work, but it is essential that the flag prongs can be tilted to angle inwards. Fixed vertical prongs will not fit into the sockets. The voltage is 220V.
For information about plugs on board your Antarctic vessel, your ship page will explain which type is used on your vessel. You can find this guide within the My Trip section of the My Trip page in your Adventure Planner. Simply scroll down to where you can see your vessel name and click the link.
Disclaimer
Information provided by Swoop is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time only, but in this fast-changing environment, we cannot be held responsible for changes not immediately reflected on this website or in information shared with you. Customers should undertake their own research appropriate to their individual circumstances before making final decisions.
Where links to government, operators or other third-party sites are provided, again this information is accurate and up-to-date to the best of our knowledge, but we cannot be held responsible for third-party content.