Argentina: Overland Argentina and

The Border Crossing from Brazil

Border Crossing from Brazil to Argentina:

We crossed at Iguazu.

  1. 1.The very first thing for citizens of Australia, USA and Canada is the online payment of the Reciprocity Fee. Yes $100 per person.

  2. 2.Tourists from these countries are charged a “reciprocity fee” of USD100/person. The fee must be paid prior to arrival at all ports of entry, including airports, ports and land border crossings. The reciprocity fee is only payable online on the Argentine Migration website. Travellers should print the receipt and submit it to Argentine immigration authorities at the port of entry. Travellers who have not paid the reciprocity fee prior to arrival at an Argentine port of entry may be sent back to their port of embarkation.

  3. 3.The fee is valid for multiple re-entries within a period of one year as of the date of first entry. If you plan to re-enter Argentina within this timeframe, keep a copy of your receipt. The fee can only be paid on line and with a printed receipt from the site they will process you at the border.

  4.      See: http://www.migraciones.gov.ar/accesible/templates/reciprocidad/reciprocidad.htm


  1. 4.At the immigration building on the LHS as you leave brazil go into the office to get your passport stamped.


  1. 5.There is no paperwork for the vehicle.







  1. 6.In No-mans-Land is a huge Duty Free complex. It is worth visiting for the experience however we found the prices expensive.









  1. 7.At the Argentinean border park up in the ‘Omnibus’ section beside immigration office.

  2. 8.Go into immigration on the RHS present your passport and the Reciprocity Fee receipt for immigration stamp process.

  3. 9. Then into the Aduana office a couple of doors down. Filled out the temporary Import docs.


  1. 10. There was no asking or provision for 3rd party insurance.
















Border Crossing from Uruguay to Argentina:

We crossed at Fray Bentos/Gualeguaychú

  1. 1. Drove up the the check point and the guy checked our passports

  2. 2. The very first thing for citizens of Australia, USA and Canada is the online payment of the Reciprocity Fee. Yes $100 per person. We previously had this and it lasts 12 months so producing the paperwork saved us.

  3. 3. Parked up the vehicle and went inside to immigration. The above Reciprocity paperwork was checked and all OK’ed.

  4. 4. Next counter to the left was Aduana. Here they took the Temporary Import Papers for Uruguay and a copy of the Registration papers and my passport and immediately typed up  the Argentinean Temporary Import papers. Most efficient ! We are impressed.

  5. 5. We asked the customs guy for a money changer and were directed to a lady where we changed US$ at the unofficial rate about 30% better than the bank rate or credit card rate. See below

  6. 6. Bridge toll Peso 90/vehicle

  7. 7. Drove out and across the Rio Uruguay all within less the 3/4 hour.



Travel in Argentina:

Like Venezuela, Argentina has a dual currency exchange rate. The official and the black market rate. This web page has the Informal or Black Market Rate and the official rate. The Black market rate is about 40% better than the official rate.

http://www.ambito.com/economia/mercados/monedas/dolar/


Thus if you use a credit card  or change at a bank you get the official rate, changing US$’s at the border you get the black market rate and thus everything costs less.


Very easy and the drivers good.

Must drive with lights on.

There are regular police checks, some outside towns and some in the middle of nowhere. They have always been friendly and need to check the Temporary Import Papers, sometimes Drivers Licence.


Agricultural checks are done as you head into the Mendosa provence. No fruit or vegetables. We had some luck, we did not lift the camper roof and just handed him the bag of apples from the fridge. He did not check further, and in fact offered us 2 apples to eat now. Cost AR35 for the inspection.


Camping:

We free camped everywhere, and asked if in doubt.

Many times we were approached and asked if they could help and offered a home visit.

Some service stations are also truck stops and they have an area behind the station for trucks & camping.


Food:

Carrafour is the big French shopping chain, WallMart is also present. They have everything and we found about 30-50% less than Australia and less then Uruguay particularly with the un-official exchange rate.


Some food shops and many business close between noon and 3pm opening then to 7pm.


Fuel:

Diesel around Peso 12.00/Lt or US$1.32/litre officially or un-officially $1.20/litre.

We were recommended to use only Shell V-Power or YPF Euro Diesel.

Sometimes I believe we got diesel mixed with kerosene as our economy was much less.


Water:

Available at Service Stations.


Internet:

Driving through town we often found free internet. Asking teenagers they directed us to free WiFi.

Shell and some YPF service stations, and some national park offices have Free WiFi.

It is also available free in some town squares. It’s locked but the tourist office in the square will give the passcode to you.


For our actual Travel Diary through Argentina  south see: GoannaTracks Across Argentina

or our drive West and up the Andes see: Argentina and the Big Mountains


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