The latest from Argentina
In July 2025, Argentina introduced new conditions that apply to all foreign visitors.
New requirements to enter Argentina:
- Valid healthcare and travel insurance
- Proof of onward travel
- Accommodation details
When travelling through Argentina, we recommend carrying a copy of your full itinerary, along with your health and travel insurance.
VAT payments in Argentina
At present, in both Chile and Argentina, tourists are not charged VAT (19% in Chile and 21% in Argentina) for their hotel/accommodation rates. The hotel itself controls this.
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 on short notice without prior notice.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is an official requirement of the Argentine government when entering Argentina (official source). Argentina requires all visitors to have basic healthcare and emergency coverage. Proof of insurance may be requested by your airline or at immigration. Your policy must provide full coverage for the entire duration of your stay in Argentina.
Although Covid-19 is not currently required, it's worth noting that Argentina previously mandated a minimum level of medical insurance for Covid-19. Although this requirement has been dropped, we are aware that it could be reinstated 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 bottom prong doesn't have a function, so adaptors only include two angled prongs.
Some Argentine 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.