Useful Information
The Argentinean Currency is ARS - Argentinean Peso, which an exchange rates of about 3.12 Argentinean Pesos per 1 US Dollar (as of 04/15/07), and 4.71 pesos per 1 Euro.
Note: In Argentina, the $ symbol represents an amount in Argentinean Pesos. Rarely, in goods sold only to foreigners, you will encounter a price in USD which will be represented by U$S or US$.
VAT Return: At the airport you may obtain a VAT reimbursement corresponding to any purchases made within the country for an amount over $70 (per invoice) and in shops operating with the "Global Refund" system. Always ask for the invoice to the retailers.
Payment Methods: Although US Dollars and Euros are generally taken everywhere, foreign currencies can be exchanged in most banks and authorized bureaus (in Santa Fe go to "Tourfe", located in San Martín and Tucumán Streets, in downtown). American Express, VISA, Diners and Master Card are widely accepted.
Opening Hours:- Banks and Exchange Bureaus: in Santa Fe, Mondays to Fridays from 8.15 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.
- Business Offices: in Santa Fe generally is from 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
- Stores: in the big cities from 9.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m., although in the outskirts and the provinces they generally close at midday. Saturdays, from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
- Cafés, Bakeries and Pizzerias: open most of the time except between 2.00 and 6.00 a.m. Restaurants: lunch is served as from 12.30 p.m. and dinner as from 8.30 hours. Fast-food menus are served in many restaurants at all times.
Tips: 10% of the amount of the check is usually left in cafeterias and restaurants. Doormen, porters, and ushers in cinemas and theatres are also generally tipped.
Phone Calls: Public telephones work with cards that can be bought either in convenient stores or "kioscos" and call centers, here named as "locutorios". To make a long distance call inside the country you must dial 0 (zero) followed by the area code of the corresponding city before the number. To call abroad you must dial 00 (double zero) and the prefix of the respective country before the number The prefix of Argentina to call from abroad is 54 and to call to telephones located in the city of Buenos Aires you must add the local code 11.
Time, Electricity, Weights and Measures: The official Argentine hour is 3 (three) hours less to that of Greenwich. The electricity used is of 220 v (volts) and 50 Hz (Hertz). The unit of measure for weigh is the Kilogram, and for distance is the meter and its derivations: the millimeter (0,001 meter), the centimeter (0,01 meter) and the Kilometer (1000 meters).
Where to Eat in Santa Fe CityBreakfast:
- Confitería Las Delicias, a typical Catalonian bakery and coffee shop, located on the corner of San Martín and Hipólito Irigoyen Streets.
- Bar La Plaza, located between the State Court House and the Executive Office Building, on the corner of San Jerónimo and 3 de Febrero Streets
- The City, on the corner of 25 de Mayo and Santiago del Estero Streets.
- Pericles, one block going east from Rectorado of UNL, on the corner of Bv. Pellegrini and San Martín Streets.
- Procope, nearby the Pueyrredón Square, on the corner of Bv. Gálvez and Alberdi Streets.
- Baviera Costanera, located nearby the Hanging Bridge, on the corner of Bv. Gálvez and Laprida Streets.
- Triferto Peatonal, San Martín Street and Falucho passage
- Cabañas Recreo, a steak house, located four blocks going west from Rectorado of UNL along Bv. Pellegrini, on the corner of Bv. Pellegrini and Francia Streets.
- Estación Empalme, within Santa Fe harbor limits.
- Puerto Ribera Hotel Casino, within Santa Fe harbor limits.
- El Pacú Restaurant, within Santa Fe harbor limits.
- Rio Bonito Restaurant, 1st floor of Regatas Club, nearby the Hanging Bridge and by the Setubal Lake.
- Bodegas del Castelar, vinery and snacks, located on 25 de Mayo Square, on the corner of Mon. Zaspe and San Martín Streets.
- Choppería Santa Fe, in front of the Rectorado Building.
- Restaurant España, San Martín between Eva Perón and La Rioja Streets