Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Argentina, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In some areas, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail.

There are also some things that might be legal in Argentina, but still illegal in the United States. For example, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Argentina, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what is legal and what is not wherever you go.

Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Argentina, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: In addition to being subject to all Argentine laws affecting U.S. citizens, dual nationals may also be subject to other laws that impose special obligations on Argentine citizens. In some instances, dual nationality may hamper U.S. government efforts to provide protection abroad.

Currency Exchange and Access: Foreign citizens may encounter difficulties attempting to exchange Argentine pesos for dollars and other foreign currencies. In complying with Argentine foreign currency exchange regulations, banks and exchange houses in Argentina reportedly have been refusing to sell dollars and other foreign currencies to foreign citizens in exchange for pesos unless the foreign traveler is able to present original receipts showing the purchase of pesos. Even with the original receipt(s), tourists reportedly have only been able to buy currencies worth the same or less than the original peso purchase(s). Therefore, tourists who might want to exchange pesos for foreign currency upon leaving the country should retain all receipts related to the purchase of pesos during visits to Argentina. The purchase of Argentine pesos does not appear to have been affected, whether in exchange facilities or via ATMs using U.S. debit cards. Commodity exchange is not one of the services provided by U.S. embassies for U.S. citizens abroad. Travelers should exercise caution when approached with offers of illegal exchange at rates more favorable than the official rate; there have been some incidents of scams in which travelers were robbed, some of them at gun point.

Please note that some U.S. citizens have reported difficulty using their ATM cards issued by U.S. banks at certain ATMs. There is no set list of ATMs or banks at which the U.S. card will be accepted. If your ATM card does not function at one ATM, you may successfully use it at another, or you may use a reputable bank or exchange house to obtain pesos.

Hunting and Fishing: If you plan to hunt or fish, be sure to follow all relevant gun and game laws. More information is available (in Spanish) from the provincial offices listed on the Argentine Department of Wildlife website.

Adventure Travel: Argentina’s mountains, forests, deserts, and glaciers make it a popular destination for outdoor and adventure sports enthusiasts. Despite the best efforts of local authorities, assisting visitors lost or injured in such remote areas can be difficult. U.S. citizens have died in recent years while mountain climbing, skiing, trekking, and hunting in Argentina. Argentina boasts the highest peak outside the Himalayas, Mount Aconcagua. Its billing in some guidebooks as affordable and "requiring no climbing skills" attracts hundreds of U.S. citizens every year. However, with its 22,840-foot altitude, bitter cold, and savage storms, even experienced climbers should bear in mind that it is one of the world’s most difficult and potentially hazardous climbs. In recent years, several U.S. citizens, including expert climbers, have lost their lives while climbing Mount Aconcagua, where rescue missions are often difficult or impossible to execute. Travelers visiting isolated and wilderness areas should learn about local hazards and weather conditions and inform park or police authorities of their itineraries. Reports of missing or injured persons should be made immediately to the police so that a search can be mounted or assistance rendered.

WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for Women Travelers.

LGBT RIGHTS: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) events in Argentina. For more detailed information about LGBT rights in Argentina, you may review the State Department’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2013. For further information on LGBT travel, please read our LGBT Travel Information page.

ACCESSIBILITY: While in Argentina, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. It is important to note that a specific law mandates access to buildings for persons with disabilities; however, while the federal government has protective laws, many provinces have not adopted the laws and have no mechanisms to ensure enforcement.