Planning a Visit?

Travel Requirements

Passports – At least two months before the trip, you will need to apply for your passport if you do not already have one. Contact your local post office or http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_832.html for requirements.

ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required for U.S. citizens to enter Argentina. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for visits of up to 90 days for tourism or business, but U.S. citizens coming to Argentina for tourism and business travel must pay a reciprocal entry fee of $160.00 US dollars. It must be paid online before leaving the United States. They will ask to see a printed receipt of payment with the bar code at the airport. (See instructions here. They charge a fee. OR go to this site. Under log in, click sign up. Register with your personal and credit card information. Print the payment receipt.) It is valid for ten years and multiple entries. It applies only to bearers of regular, tourist passports.

Vaccinations are not required. In addition to the standard shots you may have had in the States, Hepatitus A is recommended, but not required.

Flight time from Miami to Buenos Aires is 9 ½ hours. During day light savings time, we are one hour ahead of EST. September through March, we are two hours ahead.

Customs – If you are bringing ANY new articles into the country – whether gifts, items the missionary requested or ministry supplies – please remove ALL tags and packaging possible and wrap items in plastic grocery bags. Otherwise, you may be required to pay hefty fees.

Cost Worksheet

___________ Airline tickets* (You will be flying to EZE.)

___________ Food – meals, bottled water, and one meal out.

___________ Transportation – to and from the airport and sight-seeing

___________ Spending – shopping

___________ Lodging (If it is necessary for you to stay at a hotel.)

___________ Emergency Funds

___________ Immigrations – paid before departure

___________ Total

*The price of tickets varies greatly on the time of year. Ex. – July is the winter break here and an expensive time to fly. April-May and October-November are often less expensive times to fly.

Argentine pesos (AR$)

There are two ways to exchange money:

Bring down the cash and we then we can change it here (recommended).
With your debit card – You can draw out the money in pesos and will get the best exchange rate with minimal fees (depending on your bank).

Luggage

1. Airlines allow two 50 pound suitcases on international flights, a carry-on, and one personal item. Check with your airline for the most up to date restrictions. If they only allow one checked-bag, include the cost of the second one in the price of your ticket.

2. Please be willing to use one of your suitcases to bring down supplies for the trip (materials, tools) and/or supplies for the missionary. Ask him for a list of things that he needs from the States. If you are bringing down anything new (DVD, tools), take it out of the package first so that customs does not charge you tax or confiscate it.

3. We recommend that your group place a brightly colored luggage tag on every piece of luggage to help locate on arrival.

4. Do not leave any piece of luggage out of sight!

5. Do not bring any valuables that you do not need (e.g. jewelry, extra credit cards, knives, or scissors).

6. Seal liquids in a Ziploc bag before packing. Remember 3-1-1 for carry-on luggage – 3 ounce maximum/one quart Ziploc bag/only one per person.

Packing Checklist

Bible
Journal
Church clothes and shoes (See dress suggestions.)
Camera (Suggestion: assign 1 or 2 people as the “official” photographers and compile all the pictures on a CD for the team and the missionary.)
Prescription medicines (in their original bottles)
Personal first-aid kit (Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Tums, Imodium AD, etc.)
Toiletries and cosmetics, including shower shoes
Mini sewing kit, safety pins
Spare eyeglasses
Snacks (granola bars, trail mix)
Pictures of your family and church
Lightweight jacket
Comfortable walking shoes
Washcloth
Dual voltage blow dryer/curling iron
Construction trip – work boots, hand tools (Many leave theirs here for a national.)
Water bottle (empty), marked with your name, for refilling.
Cash in a money belt.
Electrical adapters: You can buy this kind from Amazon.com.
AUS International Travel Plug Adapter

Electrical current is 220v and 50 Hz. Laptops and video cameras are usually dual voltage. You will only need an adapter to plug it in.

Dress

1. During the winter, Buenos Aires can get very cold due to high humidity. The churches do not usually have adequate heat, so be prepared for that. It is best to layer with long sleeve shirts, sweaters, and jackets. Scarves are very popular here when it is cold and windy.

2. During the summer, the humidity can get very high. Although, it may get cool in the evenings, so bring a light jacket. Many homes and churches do not have air conditioning.

3. You will be doing a lot of walking, so bring comfortable shoes.

4. Please dress modestly – neck to knees – even when sitting. Please realize that the nationals will look to you as examples. Err on the side of caution in this area.

5. Men, shirt and tie at Sunday services are adequate. Shorts are fine for construction or sports.

6. Ladies, please wear skirts for all church services and ministry (passing out tracts, working with children, etc.).

7. It is very dusty and dirty out on the street (and everywhere, in fact). I suggest that you wear machine washable clothes and shoes that wipe clean easily.

Safety

1. As a precaution, do not drink water from the tap. Use filtered or bottled water. (This includes ice.) Also, only eat fresh fruits and vegetables if they have been soaked in a lemon juice or vinegar solution first.

2. Always be careful to watch your things. There are thieves everywhere at all times. Do not wear jewelry that would call attention to you. Be very discreet with your money.

3. For current safety information and more travel tips visit http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html.

Testimony

You may have an opportunity to give your testimony in a church service. Here are some guidelines to help you:

Write it out ahead of time.
Keep it to about 3-5 minutes.
Start out with a greeting in Spanish.
Tell a little about yourself (family, work).
Add some positive statements about the country, church, people, and word of thanks for their hospitality.
Do not talk about poverty, weird customs, how you feel sorry for them, etc.
Avoid stressing material success or blessing in your life.
Avoid speaking of the material sacrifice you had to make to go on this trip. What it cost you to go on this trip may be one man’s income for several months. You may share the blessing of being able to come and how God answered your prayers to make it possible to be here.
Tell when and how the Lord saved you and how God has changed your life since that point.
Do not give specific details of past sin.
Avoid slang, idioms, or some jokes. They can be difficult to translate.
Give a good thought that can be easily remembered by the translator.
Thank the folks again and ask them to pray for you. Be excited about the privilege to be here!