Final Programme - World Heart Federation

ABout ArgentinA & Buenos Aires
ABOUt ARGENtINA
Argentina has a wealth of natural beauty and immensely
varied scenery. It covers an area of over 1 million square
miles and is the second largest country in South America.
In the north there are the hot Chaco grasslands and tropical
jungle and in the south the Antarctic ice of Tierra del Fuego.
A visit to Iguazu Falls, the largest and most extensive in
the world, can be combined with a horseback ride on
the Pampas, whale watching in the south, a visit to the
amazing Moreno glacier and the capital, Buenos Aires.
VISItING BUENOS AIRES
The cultural capital of South America, Buenos Aires, is
located on the eastern banks of the River Plate, the largest
river in the world. The city has a cosmopolitan atmosphere,
although being a modern city; it includes turn-of-thetwentieth-century
European style buildings. It also has
some well preserved districts of typical colonial architecture.
Buenos Aires inhabitants are called “porteños” which
makes reference to the fact that the city is a port.
Buenos Aires has everything to transform your visit
into a wonderful experience.
We strongly recommend that you make reservations
in advance with Bounty Travel, as availability for tours is
limited. Further information about Bounty Travel Tours
and reservations can be found either at www.bts.com.ar
or at the tours information desk in the registration area.
ClIMAtE
The climate of Buenos Aires is mild all year round.
The mean annual temperature is 18ºC. Visitors can enjoy
walking around the city in any season. On a sunny day
in autumn, mornings are chilly; the temperature rises at
mid-day and drops again at night. The average temperature
for May is 12°C.
lANGUAGE
The official language in Argentina is Spanish and many locals
also easily understand Italian and Portuguese. However,
most people involved in tourist activities speak English.
tIME DIFFERENCE
The time zone corresponds to GMT-3.
BANkS, CURRENCy AND CREDIt CARDS
Banks open at 10.00 and close at 15.00 (some banks
extend their closing time to 16.00). Cash withdrawals and
other transactions may be made at ATMs, 24 hours a day.
The tourist subsidiary of Banco Ciudad offers this service
to visitors. You can buy and sell US dollars, Euros and
travellers’ cheques:
Tuesdays to Fridays from 10.00 – 17.00;
Saturdays and Sundays from 11.00 – 16.00;
Mondays from 10.00 – 18.00.
Cashiers are tourist exclusive.
The Argentine currency is the peso ($). There are $ 100,
$ 50, $ 20, $ 10, $ 5 and $ 2 notes, and 1 peso, 50, 25,
10 and 5 cent coins.
The U.S. dollar (USD) is the most common foreign currency.
Banks and currency exchange offices (casas de cambio),
where you must present your passport, exchange foreign
currency. Most of the shops accept credit cards and
dollars but it is more convenient to pay by cash with pesos
exchanged in casas de cambio or banks.
ElECtRICAl POWER
Electric power in Argentina is 220 volt, 50-cycle alternating
current. Power outlets have two cylindrical holes or two flat
holes with ground connection.
SECURIty
Buenos Aires has the reputation of being a safe city but,
as in any other large cities in the world, tourists should
take sensible precautions.
tOURISM POlICE DEPARtMENt
In case of an emergency please call 0800 999 5000 or
+54 11 4346 5748 or contact turista@policiafederal.gov.ar
English, Italian, French, Portuguese, Ukrainian, Japanese
and Spanish are the available languages.