Argentina emerged as an attractive medical tourism destination in 2002 following the collapse of the Argentinian peso. This resulted in favorable exchange rates for tourists visiting Argentina for cosmetic surgery, dentistry, or other medical procedures. Argentina offers some of the lowest prices for dental work, but its prices for medical procedures and other medical procedures tend to be on the higher end of the spectrum.
Buenos Aires, the nation’s largest city and capital, is considered the Paris of Latin America. This cosmopolitan city also is known for its advanced health-care system and highly skilled doctors. In particular, it’s earned a reputation among medical tourists for dentistry and plastic surgery. It’s estimated that 1 in 30 Argentineans have had at least one plastic surgery procedure.
Cosmetic surgery’s popularity in Argentina has sparked a boom in plastic surgery outpatient clinics, with many clinics located in Buenos Aires. If you’re considering traveling to Argentina, be aware that English isn’t commonly spoken, so you may need a translator.
Hospitals: Despite the influx of medical travelers from Europe and the United States, Argentina’s hospitals have not made great strides to earn international accreditation. Plastic surgery clinics in Argentina don’t require accreditation so choose cautiously and research your facility choice prior to arranging plastic surgery procedures.
Helpful Links
Argentine Embassies: http://embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-of/argentina
Foreign Embassies in Argentina: http://embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-in/argentina
Local News (in English) Buenos Aires News: http://www.buenosairesnews.net
Buenos Aires Times: http://www.buenosairestimes.com/index.php
Buenos Aires Herald: http://www.buenosairesherald.com/
Travel Notes
Languages spoken: Spanish, some English
People: European, Mestizo, and Indian
Personality: Warm and friendly
Infrastructure: First World
Currency: Peso
Time zone: GMT-3 Country phone code: 54
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz
Weights and measures: Metric system
Elevation concerns: None
Climate: Located south of the equator, summer is from December to February, and winter is from June to September. Temperatures in Buenos Aires range from about 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to about 94 degrees in the summer.
Clothing: In the summer, shorts are a must. Evenings can be chilly, so it is wise to bring a jacket. In the winter, a light jacket is usually warm enough.
Getting online: Fax, Internet, and e-mail services typically are available in all major hotels and in cybercafés.
Visa required: No
Immunizations required: None
Public health considerations: Avoid drinking tap water.
Cultural Do’s and Don’ts
- Do use professional titles with last names (for example, Dr. Baum).
- Do make eye contact when communicating.
- Do learn a little Spanish when going to Argentina.
- Don’t use first names until you are asked to do so.
- Don’t make unflattering comparisons between North America and South America.
- Don’t ask personal questions until you’ve established a good relationship.
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