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Swoop says

Argentina's borders are open to fully vaccinated and unvaccinated international travellers without the need to quarantine. Being fully vaccinated is, however, strongly advised by the Argentine government, and may be required in order to board your Antarctic vessel.

The latest from Argentina

Argentina has removed all entry requirements related to Covid-19. You can read more about other requirements in our guide to visas and travel documentation.

Covid-19 vaccination is not mandatory to enter the country, but this measure could change and so it is highly recommended by the national government that you are fully vaccinated.

Please also be aware that your Antarctic operator may have their own requirements relating to Covid-19 that you need to comply with.

Finally, travel insurance is extremely important when visiting Antarctica and is a mandatory requirement for everyone. We strongly recommend that you take some time to read through our guide to arranging insurance for your adventure.

VAT payments in Argentina

At present, in both Chile and Argentina, tourists are not charged VAT (19% in Chile, 21%, in Argentina) for their hotel/accommodation rates. This is controlled by the hotel itself, via the customer's passport stamp and/or immigration paper receipt.

Please be aware, however, that the Argentine immigration office is no longer stamping passports and are issuing travellers with an immigration QR code instead.

This QR code will be sent via email to each traveller and will act as proof that they are not required to make VAT payments at their accommodation.


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 at short notice and without prior notification.

Travel insurance

Whilst travel insurance is no longer an official requirement of the Argentine government when entering Argentina (official source), all international travellers are strongly recommended by the Argentine authorities to have medical insurance which covers any expenses relating to Covid-19.

Bear in mind that Argentina has previously required a fixed level of medical insurance for Covid-19, so although they have currently dropped this requirement, we are conscious that it could be brought back 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.

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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.

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What our customers think of of Getting to Antarctica via Argentina

You all did a great job at keeping us informed and prepared for the regulations. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2021

Mike Walcher - USA

Y’all did a great job, especially given the fast changing COVID and border regulations. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2021

Elizabeth Bunnen - USA

I was impressed with the informative website and the excellent customer service as I was shopping for an Antarctica trip. With the everchanging challenges of the pandemic, we were impressed with the communications that we received from Swoop. The adjustments with the ship and date made our trip possible as well as unforgettable. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2021

Jeannette Shull - USA

Wearing masks indoors everywhere and while on tours was also something we are very used to, so it was no issue. Given the low numbers of covid in both cities, we actually found it to be better/safer to run around there than it has been on our return home. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2021

Chelsea Morris Zitnay - USA

Our experience was good. We did book our own flights coming and going and spend time in Buenos Aires and Ushuaia. We were easily able to manage the COVID requirements. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2021

Paul Parris - USA

Travelling for the first time since Covid-19 was special and unique. We were relieved after all the waiting! Read the full review

Travelled: November 2021

Paul Parris - USA

Swoop was helpful in setting up the trip and dealing with the logistics during this challenging time. Our numerous questions were answered promptly. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2021

Paul Parris - USA

Review:


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.