Argentina Travel and Safety Information for students

Safety:

Buenos Aires Airport transfer:

Buenos Aires is the international gateway to Argentina. Nearly all clients making the journey to All-Star's South America Snow Sessions will arrive at the Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE), more commonly known as Ezeiza International Airport. The tricky part? Ezeiza serves mainly international flights, and you’ll be required to make the 45-minute journey to the domestic airport, Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) in downtown Buenos Aires. An All-Star representative will meet all Under-18 participants upon clearing customs, and escort them to the domestic airport. Please see the “Parents” section for more information.

Safety in Buenos Aires:

Buenos Aires has a storied and turbulent history. Throughout most of the 20th century, Buenos Aires (also known as BA) was a cosmopolitan city that rivaled most throughout Europe and North America. Ornate buildings and beautiful plazas are everywhere, complemented by an unrivaled nightlife and thriving cultural scene. After weathering severe economic crises in the 1980s and again in 2001, Buenos Aires is once again returning to its former glory. Downtown Buenos Aires and popular neighborhoods like Palermo and Recoleta give the city its European flair. Under-18 participants may have the opportunity to explore Buenos Aires as a group at the discretion of the All-Star staff member accompanying them.

Safety in Bariloche

San Carlos de Bariloche is a very safe city and is very comfortable for tourists to travel throughout. Although there are parts of Bariloche that should be avoided (as in any city), most are located far away from the popular downtown area. The resort area where All-Star operates is very safe and crime-free. However, all clients should be responsible for their gear and equipment, lock their doors when they leave to ride for the day, and not leave things like snowboard bags, laptops, and bright, expensive snowboard jackets unattended as these attract attention and encourage pick-pocketing and other petty crime. As long as you’re smart about your stuff, you’ll be fine. It is highly recommended that clients buy travel insurance before they come down, both for things like theft and also for flight and baggage delays.

Currency and Money:

Argentina uses the Argentine Peso, which is equivalent to about $0.25 USD. Many businesses also take American dollars, but be prepared to receive a poor exchange rate. It’s better to exchange money at a bank, casa de cambio (foreign currency exchanges) or at Tage – the small snack bar located at the base of Cerro Catedral. ATMs are available at the base area and around the downtown area, and clients are advised that most transactions in Argentina are done with cash, so be sure to have some on you at all times for emergencies.

Medical Facilities

There is a clinic at the base of the mountain that is almost immediately next door to our lodging at SoulMax. Services like X rays, evaluations, and other preliminary procedures can be provided, and the clinic has its own doctor on staff. The clinic is actually an extension of the Sanatorio San Carlos, a modern, full-service private hospital located in the city center. Bariloche is also serviced year-round by a private

Medivac helicopter and several modern ambulance/paramedic services. Most procedures require payment at the time of service, which can be reimbursed via your Travel Insurance or international health insurance using the receipts collected at the hospital. Dramatically cheaper than the US, quality X rays and office visits may cost as little as $25 USD.

Transportation

With our new location at the mountain, you’ll find transportation in Bariloche straightforward, easy and largely inexpensive. Under-18 participants will be allowed to venture outside of the Cerro Catedral area on arranged excursions with All-Star staff. If a large enough group of Under-18 participants wants to explore the city, All-Star is usually able to arrange a private outing.

The “A Factor”

Ah yes, the A Factor – that wonderful, unexplainable variable of daily life in Argentina that might initially drive schedule-hungry Americans crazy but with time, will relax you and truly get you into the rhythm of life in Argentina. Buses may be late, restaurants may only take cash even after posting a Visa sticker in the window, lifts may not run for any justifiable reason – hey, it’s Argentina! It’s not the US, Canada, or Europe and you should be prepared for something to not work out perfectly during your trip. Just relax, take a deep breath, be tranqui and enjoy the adventure of experiencing another culture with both its ups and downs.