Overland Argentina Travel
Pan American Highway > Argentina
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Contents
- 1 Visiting Argentina
- 2 Entering Argentina with a Car or Motorbike
- 3 Driving in Argentina
- 4 Gas and Diesel price in Argentina
- 5 Safety and Security Considerations
- 6 Camping in Argentina
- 7 Navigation
- 8 Special Overland Travel interests
- 9 Vehicle Maintenance
- 10 Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Argentina
- 11 References
- 12 Helpful External links
Visiting Argentina
Argentina is an exceptionally beautiful country with very friendly locals and lots to see and do. The border crossings are simple, and apart from the odd pick-pocket in big cities, safety is not a concern. Argentina is not only famous for its Asado (bbq ) but has some amazing natural things to see. From whales crossing 10 meters from the beachfront to the famous Perito Moreno glacier. And don't forget the Andes mountains between Chile and Argentina, which stretch for hundreds of km and has amazing border crossings you won't believe.
Entering Argentina with a Car or Motorbike
Correct as of: November 2013
Required Paperwork
- Passport of registered owner.
- Drivers license of registered owner.
- Original vehicle registration.
- Proof of vehicle insurance.
(no copies are required)
Process at border
(To check if you need a travel Visa for Argentina, application instructions and fees see: Argentina Visa online application at VisaHQ.com)
- The owner of the vehicle gains entry at immigration (migración), including a stamp in their Passport.
Note, as of 2013 people from Canada, the United States and Australia must pay a ~$160.00 USD fee per person to enter Argentina, even at land borders. This is a one time reciprocity fee that is good for 10 years for US citizens.[1]
- The owner must show the new passport stamp, drivers license the original vehicle registration to customs (aduana)
- The owner is issued a temporary import permit for the vehicle.
Note: Customs may ask for proof of vehicle insurance before entry is granted.
Cost of entry
Free for most foreign visitors, see note above for cost of reciprocity visas concerning visitors from the US, Canada, and Australia.
Permitted length of stay
Typically valid for 30 or 90 days, however the amount of time is at the discretion of the customs officer. The maximum length of stay for the vehicle, is up to 8 months, however a vehicle import permit of this length may require some persuasion.
Extension of stay
Two ways to achieve this: 1 leave Argentina with the vehicle and return. This can be done at any bordering country, all in one day, without problems. 2. go to immigration in the port area of Buenos Aires and ask for a extension, if you have overstayed there will be a small fine.
Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country
Yes you can temporarily store your vehicle, just have to be sure your car is out of Argentina before your car permit expires. It is possible to obtain an 8 month vehicle import permit, but you must ask for a permit that grants you this much time. There are campsites that specialize in storing vehicles, one such campsite can be found near Buenos Aires (http://www.andeanroads.com/)
Exiting with a vehicle
- The registered owner presents the temporary import paper to customs.
- The registered owner is stamped out of Argentina at immigration.
Driving in Argentina
Insurance requirements
Insurance is mandatory, and must specifically cover Argentina.
It's common for customs officers to ask for proof of insurance before entry is granted.
Cost of insurance
Something around $200.00 ARS per month for a 4x4.
Where to purchase insurance
Larger cities have insurance offices where it can be purchased.
When buying from a large, international insurance company it's possible to also get coverage for Chile, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay on one policy which makes it cheaper.
Driving license
Technically an International Driving Permit is required.
In reality, showing a license from anywhere in the world seems to be good enough.
Driving side of road
Right.
Right hand drive vehicles are permitted without problem.
Mandatory items in vehicle
In cars , fire extinguisher, warning triangles, headlights must be on at all times, seat belt use is mandatory Motorcyclists: helmets are obligatory
Roads
General Road quality
Roads in Argentina are typically of very good quality. Almost all highways are sealed and two lanes. Streets in the southern parts of the country are often gravel roads
Line markings and hazard signs are almost always present.
One way streets are extremely common in towns and cities, and almost always well signed.
Road signs
Highway road signs with distances and directions are typically very clear and consistent.
Within towns and cities, almost all streets are clearly signed.
Toll roads
Toll roads are not common, though the larger highways and freeways around the countries' biggest cities are tolled.
Prices are typically in the $5.00 ARS range, and toll booths come up ever 50 - 100km.
Bribery in Argentina
Bribery is not common in Argentina, though it does happen. Do not assume a Police officer is trying to bribe you, as he may take offense, making the situation worse.
See the bribery tips page for advice.
Checkpoints
Two kinds of checkpoints are common in Argentina.
- Police / Military checkpoints.
Police may ask for your drivers license, Passport, original vehicle registration and the temporary import permit issued by customs when you entered Argentina. The Police are often friendly and polite.
How to Deal with Traffic Police in Argentina – Landcruising Adventure
Tips on Traffic Rules and Traffic Conduct on Argentinean Roads – Landcruising Adventure
- Agricultural checkpoints.
Argentina is serious about stopping the spread of fruit fly and other agricultural problems, so checkpints are common (especially in the North-West). Many types of fruit are banned and you will have to surrender them.
Traveling with pets
(unknown)
List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.
Gas and Diesel price in Argentina
Last updated: October 2013
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Note: In Argentina, gasoline is referred to as "Nafta" and Diesel is commonly called "Gas-oil"
Northern Argentina
| Gasoline aka "Nafta" Grade | Price |
|---|---|
| Normal aka "Comun" (very rare) | $7.00 ARS per Liter |
| Super | $7.50 ARS per Liter |
| Premium | $8.40 ARS per Liter |
| Ultra Diesel aka "Gas-Oil" | $6.12 ARS per Liter |
| Diesel Euro (low sulfur) | $6.69 ARS per Liter |
Southern Argentina (Patagonia)
Last updated: November 2013
Due to heavy government subsidies, gasoline is cheaper in the South.
| Gasoline Grade | Price |
|---|---|
| Normal aka "Comun" (very rare) | $6.01 ARS per Liter |
| Super | $6.28 ARS per Liter |
| Premium | $7.12 ARS per Liter |
| Ultra Diesel | $6.55 ARS per Liter |
| Diesel Euro (low sulfur) | $7.11 ARS per Liter |
Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency
During summer vacation (Jan->Feb), gas shortages are not uncommon, especially in the rural areas of the South. Purchase gas whenever you can. Typically gas stations are not more than 200 - 300km apart, though on Route 40 the distance can be more. Shortages will also increase this distance. Also note that close to the Chilean border foreigners may have to pay extra for fuel. This is to prevent 'illegal' export of fuel across the border. But if you show up with a jerrycan you pay local price, might be worth a few trips on foot with two jerrycans....
Gas and Diesel Quality
Gasoline is considered to be clean, and ultra-low sulfur diesel can be purchased at most stations.
Safety and Security Considerations
Driving at night
Argentina is considered a safe country by South American standards, and there is no reason to specifically avoid driving at night.
Vehicle parking
During the day it's usually OK to leave vehicles on the street and in store parking lots.
At night, it's preferable to pay for a fenced parking lot, which might cost $5.00 ARS to $10.00 ARS
Special driving considerations
None.
Security advisories and information
- Country Specific Information - U.S. Department of State
- Travel Reports and Warnings - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- Travel advice by country - Foreign and Commonwealth office (U.K.)
- Travel Advice for Argentina - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Camping in Argentina
Camping is a national past-time in Argentina, and so organized camp grounds are extremely common. Even the smallest towns are likely have a campground, and they can fill up with loud and friendly Argentinians during the summer months. Common facilities include hot showers, flush toilets, wash basins and a table and chairs and fire pit in each camp site.
They typically cost $15.00 ARS to $30.00 ARS per person, per night.
Roadside camping is common, especially in the South where the population density is low.
Most Overlanders consider it OK, use you own discretion.
Camping guide books
The Firestone Atlas de Rutas (Road Atlas) clearly shows campgrounds and lists addresses and phone numbers.
Drinking water
In virtually all of Argentina the tap water is safe to drink. Ask a local to be sure.
Paper maps
Reise Know-How are amoung the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in Argentina
- Firestone produce the Atlas de Rutas (Road Atlas) which is equal in content and quality to maps anywhere in the world. It contains detailed color maps of every province and zoom-ins of all cites and larger towns. It also indicates campgrounds, hotels, gas stations, and parks and contains basic maps of all bordering countries (Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia). It can be purchased from bookstores throughout the country for around $45.00 ARS. A new edition is printed each year.
- The Automobile Association of Argentina (AAA) also sells good quality "highway" maps at many gas stations, and their offices located in bigger cities.
GPS Maps of Argentina
- Open Street Map: Appears to have good coverage.[2]
- Garmin: Lists coverage as "Most urban areas with intertown roads".[3]
- TomTom: List coverage as "46% of Argentina".[4]
- Proyecto Mapear: Has the best coverage in Argentina and most bordering countries. [5]
GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in Argentina
- Accommodations & Camping in Argentina - Great article from August 2013 with an explanation of camping in Argentina, and GPS coordinates and descriptions for over 80 campsites – Landcruising Adventure
- Camping Sites: Argentina North, Camping Sites: Argentina South - Detailed list of campsites and propane filling with description, directions and GPS co-ordinates. Some at hotels (lists facilities and price), some roadside and free.
- Campsite Listing - South America | PanAm Notes - List of campsites, with directions and GPS co-ordinates. Some at hotels (lists facilities and price), some roadside and free.
- Andes Expedition camping Locations - List of campsites, with basic directions and GPS co-ordinates. Mostly free sites.
- Camping Log 2: South America - List of campsites, shopping, fuel, propane and border crossings with excellent descriptions and GPS co-ordinates.
- Hackney Travel SA Waypoints - Raw GPS data (in gdb or gpx format) for waypoints (including campsites, fuel, repairs, propane and more)
- The Silk Road Motocaravan Network - Raw GPS data for waypoints (camping, gas, propane, points of interest and more)
Special Overland Travel interests
- Many Overlanders make the long drive South to Ushuaia in Tierra Del Fuego, the Southern-most city in the world, and the end of the Pan American Highway. Getting there requires crossing through Chile and catching a ferry, but the process is not difficult.
- Argentina has an excellent system of National Parks. Entry can be as high as $80.00 ARS per person. There is no "country-wide" card that can be purchased.
- Many people are drawn to the famous National Route 40
Guide Books
Vehicle Maintenance
Dealers
4x4s / Trucks
- Toyota Global Dealer Locator
- Land Rover International Dealer Locator
- Mercedes Benz International (select country on bottom right)
- Jeep International site locator
Motorbikes
Local Garages
Add known good mechanics here.
Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Argentina
Buy
Vehicles with Argentine papers can be purchased by a foreigner without difficulty.
A vehicle with Argentine papers can not be driven out of Argentina by a foreigner, even when they are the registered owner. This rule is strictly enforced at the borders.
Sell
Due to Argentina's very strict importation laws and high taxes, this is a very difficult process, and requires a lot of time.
First, options that are possible, but not appealing:
- It's possible to import the vehicle legally and sell it as a regular Argentinian vehicle. The tax rate is 100% of the listed value of the vehicle (which is almost certainly many times the original purchase price), making this prohibitive. It will take months of paperwork also.
- It's possible to have the vehicle declared "destroyed" or "damaged beyond repair" and leave it on the side of the road or with a mechanic. The original import papers will be legally cancelled and you will be free to leave the country. You will not get much money for the vehicle (if any).
Second, it is possible to transfer the paperwork to another foreigner, given the right conditions.
(Note: many have tried, and none have successfully sold to an Argentinian using the following methods, the buyer must be a non-resident foreigner)
- Go to a Public Notary (Escribano Publico) and have a Power of Attorney (Poder) made authorizing the buyer to drive the vehicle in Argentina and all countries for an unlimited time period.
- Go to a customs office (Google Map for downtown Buenos Aires) (or leave Argentina) to cancel the current temporary import papers and have new ones made in the name of the new owner.
- The new owner can now drive the vehicle in Argentina for as long as the temporary import papers allow. They can also leave and re-enter as many times as they like to get new papers, and they can drive to any other country they wish. The original owner can now legally leave Argentina.
NOTE: It's preferable to re-register the vehicle in the name of the new owner in the home country/state of the vehicle, so the original owner is completely free and clear of all responsibility. In some cases, this may not be possible as the new owner may not live in the country the vehicle is actually registered. If the vehicle remains in the name of the original owner, the new owner should have no problems driving and entering/exiting countries as long as they have the power of attorney with them at all times.
Third, there are reports of selling the vehicle to an Argentinian that owns a farm and doesn't care about legal Registration. Reports say you should be able to leave Argentina without problem, but it is unknown if problems will arise if you ever return. This option is clearly illegal and not recommended. Use this information at your own risk.
Forth, If the car is registered in the US and the buyer has a US license then you can register the car in South Dakota. http://www.drivetheamericas.com/forums/how-sell-us-vehicle-another-us-person-south-or-central-america
References
- ↑ https://virtual.provinciapagos.com.ar/ArgentineTaxes/
- ↑ OpenStreetMap Argentina
- ↑ City Navigator® South America NT
- ↑ Maps - TomTom
- ↑ Projecto Mapear
Helpful External links
- Argentina: Visa and Passport requirements | World Travel Guide
- Health Information for Travelers to Argentina - Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Argentina travel guides at wikivoyage
- Argentina - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
