Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Road Rules & Hazards
Anyone considering driving in Argentina should know that Argentine drivers are aggress-
ive and commonly ignore speed limits, road signs and even traffic signals. Night driving is
not recommended; in many regions animals hang out on the road for warmth.
Have on hand some emergency reflectors
(balizas)
and a fire extinguisher
(matafuego)
. Headrests are required for the driver and passengers, and seatbelts are obligatory
(though few wear them). Motorcycle helmets are also obligatory, although this law is
rarely enforced.
You won't often see police patrolling the highways, but might meet them at major inter-
sections and roadside checkpoints where they conduct meticulous document and equip-
ment checks. Sometimes these checks are pretexts for graft. If you are uncertain about
your rights, politely state your intention to contact your embassy or consulate. If you
do
want to pay a bribe for the sake of expediency, ask '
¿Puedo pagar la multa ahora?'
('Can
I pay the fine now?').
Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking
(hacer dedo)
is never entirely safe in any country in the world. Travelers who
decide to hitch should understand that they are taking a small but potentially serious risk.
People who do choose to hitch will be safer if they travel in pairs and let someone know
where they are planning to go.
Along with Chile, Argentina is probably the best country for hitching in all of South
America. The major drawback is that Argentine vehicles are often stuffed full with families
and children, but truckers will sometimes pick up backpackers. A good place to ask is at
estaciones de servicio
at the outskirts of large Argentine cities, where truckers gas up
their vehicles.
Women can and do hitchhike alone, but should exercise caution and especially avoid
getting into a car with more than one man. In Patagonia, where distances are great and
vehicles few, hitchers should expect long waits and carry warm, windproof clothing and
refreshments.
Having a sign will improve your chances for a pickup, especially if it says something like
visitando Argentina de Canada
(visiting Argentina from Canada), rather than just a destin-
ation. Argentines are fascinated by foreigners.
For good information (in Spanish) see
www.autostopargentina.com.ar
,
or try
