Argentina FAQs

Disclaimer: The information given in this FAQ's page is generic. You should verify critical information such as visa-related issues, health and safety, customs and transportation with the relevant authorities prior to traveling. Please be aware that information given in FAQ's may change at any time. In effect, we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. For the latest updates, please contact us or our in-country coordinator(s).

General Information

The founder of RCDP has been involved in volunteer abroad business for the last 10 years. During this time, he has worked with more than 2000 volunteers and more than 200 universities, colleges, and schools groups.

Working with inspiring college students and humanitarian volunteers was very motivating as well as very enjoyable and presented many exciting learning opportunities. This experience encouraged him to start his own volunteer abroad program where affordable prices, premium programs and meaningful contributions to deprived communities would become the key components of the programs.

With this in mind, while setting up volunteer and travel abroad organization, we have selected many safe and culturally rich destinations where volunteers can make meaningful contributions, immerse in local culture, and get enriched from volunteer abroad experience. In each destination, we have carefully selected projects, host families, travel coordinating staff, and placed local support staff. We have provided them with extensive training to manage the program with professional services that will be delivered with care and respect for all volunteers. We are now proud of our coordinators, host families, host projects, and staff as all of them have at least 4 years of working experience with international volunteers. To meet your expectation, they are committed to working hard to meet your expectations, delivering professional services, and turn your volunteer abroad experience into a memorable journey.

In Argentina, we operate in the city of Cordoba, which is about 380 miles north of Buenos Aires, the capital and largest city in Argentina..

Information on Application

Starting application

There are two options available to those applying for volunteer positions in the Argentina programs:

After submitting application

Once RCDP receives your application, it will immediately be forwarded to Argentina for processing. Our Argentina In-Country coordinator will then carefully review your application to ensure you get placed in the project that matches your criteria and your qualifications.

Duration of the application process

Once the Argentina In-Country coordinator finalizes and forwards us the detail, we will immediately send it to you. The whole process normally takes 1-2 weeks. However, this can sometimes take longer.

You will also find an invoice requesting you to pay the program fee along with the placement details.

Preparation

Once you receive the placement details, you can even call our Argentina office directly and speak to our In-Country coordinator and ask any questions that might prepare you for the trip.

Preparation for Argentina trip includes: reading about Argentina, vaccination, Visa arrangement, booking tickets. If you experience ANY problems, please call RCDP office.

Once you purchase air tickets, they should immediately submit the flight details to BOTH RCDP and Argentina office.

Information on Airport and Arrival

Volunteers should arrive at Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L.V. Taravella International Airport, which is about 9km northwest from the center of Cordoba. The airport is also more commonly known as Pajas Blancas. Volunteers can either fly directly to Cordoba or first fly to Buenos Aires and transfer to Cordoba.

In Cordoba, one of our representatives will be waiting for you in the arrival lounge in the airport holding a placard with your name on it. This will happen without fail if you have passed on your travel itinerary to our office. If you want to be absolutely sure, you can call your Argentina office and talk to our In-Country coordinator.

Flight Delayed or Missed

If your flight gets delayed or if you miss your flight and book yourself with a later flight, please let us know immediately by either calling our office. You must try to call first and then email the details if possible. Look at your placement details for all the contact information. If you cannot make any contact and no one receives you at the airport, look at your placement details, hire a prepaid taxi and go to the hotels recommended on it. Let the In-Country coordinator know your whereabouts after your arrive at the hotel or the next day. The coordinator will arrange a pick up later.

Arrival Day

Volunteers are requested to arrive one day before the start of program. If volunteers arrive more than one day earlier or remain after the close of their program, they will be responsible for their own for providing their own accommodation and meal.

Information on Accommodation and Meal

RCDP will manage your entire accommodation, meal and supervision initially in Cordoba.

During volunteer period, you will stay in a hostel. For meals volunteers will need to eat out. Please budget around $40 a week for your mails. You can find details of the room/food accommodations in the placement sheets for your project.

Our staff will visit volunteers in Cordoba every seven to fourteen days.

Information on Visa

You will need a visa to visit Argentina and it is volunteer's responsibility to obtain one. Please apply for a tourist visa and get one from Argentina Embassy from our country before departing.

Please call our office or contact your nearest Argentina embassy to learn more about visa, visa fees and visa extensions. Much information can be learned online by searching out Argentina's embassy or consulate.

Information on Health and Safety

Visit the sites listed below and acquire as much information as possible. Remember there is no harm in knowing more when it comes to health and safety.

General Health Tips for Volunteer in Argentina

Information on Vaccinations

Please visit Center for Disease Control's website ( www.cdc.gov ) for traveler's health recommendations. Your travel doctor will be knowledgeable about current epidemics and should be consulted.

Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications

See a health-care provider at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect and to start taking medicine to prevent malaria, if you need it. Even if you have less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still see a health-care provider for needed vaccines, anti-malaria drugs and other medications and information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling.

The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to South America including Argentina. Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.

Required Vaccinations

Information on Monetary Issues

Currency

Argentinean currency is "Peso" (ARS).

Exchanging

There are no restrictions for changing currency in Argentina. US Dollars are commonly accepted in most hotels but you must exchange your currency into Peso for daily expenses. Volunteers are advised to exchange money in banks because they offer more security and guarantees.

ATM/Debit Card/Debit Card/Travelers Checks

ATM machines are available at various regions throughout Argentina, especially in Cordoba and the airport, where the option to take out US dollars or Shelling is available.

Do not arrive in Argentina without any cash as ATM machines can not work or fail to accept your card, though this rarely happens are all machines and for long. Check with your bank to confirm that your card will work overseas. Debit cards and credit cards are acceptable at major stores. Travelers' checks are exchanged at the banks. In most locations, you won't be able to exchange them. Debit card is the best way of getting the money out and ATM vendors are available through urban areas in Argentina. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted in large stores and hotels in larger cities.

Budget

You can get by with US $30 a day provided you are careful in taking your money out. Accommodation during your project is free but for other activities please budget accordingly.

Information on Field Support and Supervision

We keep in touch with our volunteers. Our staffs visit volunteers every 2 weeks. You are encouraged to contact us if you want to speak to us about anything. You will be provided with all the contact information.

Information on Communicating

Internet cafes are available in Argentina and Cordoba.

You can also use international phone cards to call home. You will be provided with full contact details of our office in Argentina. You are encouraged to call us if you want to discuss anything. In addition, our program staff will visit you regularly to check your progress.

Information on Weather

Argentina is a treat for anyone wanting to experience diverse climate. From hot deserts, dry forest, humid savannas, rainforests to cold plateaus and icy mountains where snow remains all year, Argentina's got everything that nature throws at us.

Typically though, the northern regions are hotter, while Patagonia and further south is extremely cold.

Information on Materials to Bring

Information on Bringing Gifts for Project

It will be a nice gesture if you bring items like books, pencils, color pens, toys and games, especially if you are volunteering in schools and orphanages.

You can also bring things like chocolates, CD and T-Shirts to the project.