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The Puentes team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in case of an emergency. Please review the following emergency guide for your destination city and also share it with a parent or guardian:

Puentes Emergency Procedures

The safety and wellbeing of our participants is Puentes’ highest priority; we are here to help you in any situation during your program.  The below is meant to identify what a true emergency is and to explain the procedure if you find yourself in an emergency situation.

How do I file a police report?

If you need to file a police report, find your closest “comisaría” or police station here for Buenos Aires or here for Montevideo. (There is a Tourist Police office at Av. Corrientes 436 in Buenos Aires that can assist in English.) Bring your original passport. If you go to a local “comisaría,” tell the police offer, “Quiero hacer una denuncia,” to let them know that you would like to file a police report, and then they will walk you through the steps. Keep in mind that some insurance companies will require that a police report was filed within 24 hours of the theft of an item in order for a reimbursement to be considered.

In the unlikely event that you experience an armed robbery or assault of any kind, you must tell the Puentes team immediately so that we can help to support you and so that we can notify your university of the incident. You will not be in trouble — rather, this is a safety protocol that universities and the Puentes team are required to follow.

If you are ever in doubt about whether a situation is an emergency or not, err on the side of caution and call the Puentes emergency contact.

LIVING ABROAD GUIDE: Emergencies • Medical Care • Money • Communication • Local Spanish • Transportation • Food • Laundry and Gyms

Prescription Medication

Keep in mind that, while name brands of certain medications should be consistent in their ingredients globally, the generic versions may not be. Thus, if you take a generic version of a medication and need to buy more abroad, the types and percentages of each ingredient may be different from what you are used to, so check with your doctor.

WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I AM SICK ABROAD?

When you are sick with a mild cold or flu symptoms (cough, sore throat, etc.)

Go to a pharmacy to get some medicine.  You can ask the pharmacist to recommend a brand after describing your symptoms or find it on your own.  In addition to getting non-prescription medicine like ibuprofen and/or cough syrup, stay hydrated by drinking lots of water, and get lots of rest. 

Am I sick enough to see a doctor?

You should think about seeing a doctor in the following circumstances:

• If you have been sick for multiple days without any improvement in symptoms.

• If you need prescription medicine.

• If you are not sure what type of sickness you have.

• If you are planning on missing a day of your internship and thus need a doctor’s note, or “certificado médico,” to justify your absence.

Keep in mind that these are general guidelines, and everyone has their own criteria for when they should see a doctor.  Contact us by phone or email if you need help coordinating a doctor’s appointment.

How do I go to a doctor in Argentina or Uruguay?

a) Go to the on-call doctors at a hospital: Almost all hospitals have what is called a “guardia” (in Argentina) or “emergencia” (in Uruguay), which is similar to an emergency room in the United States.  You do not need an appointment to go to the “guardia” or “emergencia.”  You walk in and explain your symptoms at reception so that they can send you to the right doctor.  When going to a hospital, take your original passport with you for identification and take your medical insurance card.  Be sure to save all receipts for any payments made in order to submit insurance claims for reimbursement, as needed. 

b) Book an appointment with a doctor: If your request is not timely enough to go to the hospital, you can book an appointment directly with a local doctor instead. The U.S. Embassy has a list of recommended doctors in Buenos Aires and in Montevideo that you can refer to. Remember to check with your international health insurance regarding their coverage because you might be able to book a medical appointment directly through your insurance in order to have it fully covered.

I have a medical emergency

In the case of medical emergency, do not hesitate to call an ambulance right away! Dial 107 (Argentina) or 911 (Uruguay) from any cell phone or landline.  In Argentina, these emergency calls will go through even if you do not have cell phone credit. If you are at home, your roommate or host can also help you call an ambulance. 

Any ambulance will take you to the nearest hospital for treatment.  Do not worry about insurance in this case, as the most important thing is to get treatment as soon as possible. Once you have secured an ambulance, call the Puentes primary emergency contact to update them about your situation so that they can join you at the hospital.

NAVigating the pharmacy

It’s important to remember that many medicines are different strengths than their U.S. equivalents, so always ask your pharmacist or doctor about your dosage. Some medicines that require a prescription in the U.S. may not require one in Argentina or Uruguay.

The largest chain drugstore is called Farmacity (Argentina) or Farmashop (Uruguay), and there is a branch in just about every neighborhood. Smaller drugstores, called “farmacias,” (designated with the square shaped cross) will carry many of the same items. Keep in mind that both prescription and over the counter medication will be stored behind the counter, so you will have to ask the pharmacist to give you what you need. Pharmacies take shifts being open 24 hours. Head to your local pharmacy, and if it is not open, it will usually have a sign directing you to the nearest open one, also referred to as the pharmacy “de turno.”

LIVING ABROAD GUIDE: Emergencies • Medical Care • Money • Communication • Local Spanish • Transportation • Food • Laundry and Gyms

The national currency in Argentina is the Argentine peso (ARS). In Uruguay, it is the Uruguayan peso (UYU). 

• Bring U.S. dollars (US$100 bills) to exchange them into pesos at a local exchange house.  You should only bring US$100 bills because smaller bills of US$50 or less will often not be accepted at exchange houses or may be exchanged at a lower rate than US$100 bills. This option is strongly suggested if traveling to Argentina. Read about the Dollar exchange rates below for more information on why U.S. dollar bills reign supreme in Argentina right now.

• Transfer money from your U.S. bank account to Xoom or Western Union and get the pesos at one of their pickup points in-country. This has a transaction fee and the exchange rates vary, so check if it is more favorable than your bank’s ATM withdrawal fees or debit/credit card conversion.

• Use your debit card to make withdrawals from ATMs.  If your bank charges you withdrawal fees, we recommend that you withdraw larger amounts of pesos at a time and leave the extra pesos safely in your housing bedroom. In Argentina, there are two ATM networks: Banelco and Link. If your card does not work at an ATM that is part of one network, try an ATM from the other network. Look for an ATM that says “extracciones” (withdrawals) and does not say it’s for bank clients only.

• Use your debit or credit card at businesses. Many major businesses accept credit cards, with Visa and Mastercard being the most widely accepted, but not all businesses accept credit cards, especially in Argentina. In Argentina, use your Visa, Mastercard, or American Express debit or credit card to receive a rate similar to the blue rate, which you can check here. In Uruguay, there are not multiple exchange rates and there is a strong credit card culture in Uruguay, so you will be able to use your credit card almost anywhere.

We recommend creating a budget before departure so you can plan out how much money you might want to bring. Upon arrival, you should update your budget as you start getting a sense for the cost of living so you can track your costs through the program. You can use the following resources to create a budget:

1. Register online at https://www.westernunion.com/us/en/home.html

2. Connect your U.S. bank account, credit card, or debit card: you are able to use your U.S. account to send anyone cash all over the world in their local currency.

3. Choose the amount that you would like to send (in USD), and Western Union shows you how much you would receive in cash in local currency along with the exchange rate at the moment. Be sure to select “cash pick up.” The amount you choose is charged in USD from your U.S. bank account.

4. Input the full name, address, and country of the person receiving the cash. If you are sending it to yourself, write your full name and your Argentine address.

5. Pick up the cash in pesos at the closest pick-up point. Pick-up points are usually inside of a Pago Fácil or RapiPago and must have a black and yellow Western Union logo on the outside. Not all Western Union locations receive international transfers, so double check upon arrival that you can pick-up money sent internationally. You are required to bring your original passport.

Western Union charges a fee of about 15% of the amount you are sending, so consider how frequently you’d like to send money. However, every time you send money, you earn points that you can use toward discounting the 15% fee.

Tips: If you connect your bank account rather than sending from a credit or debit card, make the transfer early in the work week because it takes 1 to 4 business days to process. If you make the transfer on a Thursday, you will likely get your cash the following Tuesday or Wednesday.

Avoid the Western Union “rush hours:” first and last weekdays of the month (when bills are due), early in the morning when they open (before other customers have dropped off cash), and around 6pm (when the workday ends).

Important Details on the Dollar Exchange Rates (Argentina)

While planning your trip to Argentina, you may have read about the different exchange rates for the Argentine peso.  We want to make sure that Puentes participants understand how this works so that you can make the most out of your travel budget.

• Background: The Argentine government has imposed restrictions on buying foreign currency.  Argentines have historically kept their savings in U.S. dollars, which is more stable than the Argentine peso, so lately Argentines have wanted to buy U.S. dollars but not been able to do so.  As a result, the demand for U.S. dollars is very high, while the supply is very low.  A parallel currency exchange market has emerged in order to address this difference in supply and demand. 

• What does this mean for tourists and Puentes participants? This means that there are multiple exchange rates for foreign currencies: official, blue, MEP etc. The unofficial, or “blue,” exchange rate is the most important one for travelers arriving to Argentina with foreign currency. Argentines are willing to pay a higher price than the official exchange rate in order to buy dollars, so tourists can exchange their dollars for a more advantageous rate. The MEP rate is the dollar exchange rate that can be accessed through the buying and selling of certain Argentine bonds that are quoted both in pesos and dollars. You can check the daily rates for these different types of exchanges here. Please note that there is a strong cash culture in Argentina, so you should also always have pesos on hand. It’s also recommended to have smaller bills with you, as small businesses and taxis typically do not take larger bills.

• How do I access the blue and MEP exchange rates? The only way to access the blue exchange rate is to bring cash in U.S. dollars with you for your trip. You can then exchange this cash in person in Argentina at unofficial exchange houses called cuevas and get pesos at the blue rate. Be aware that bringing large amounts of money in cash with you when traveling always has its risks, so please only bring an amount with which you feel comfortable. You can access the MEP rate by using major foreign credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard and American Express). Check with bank prior to arrival about accessing the MEP rate.

Identification

LIVING ABROAD GUIDE: Emergencies • Medical Care • Money • Communication • Local Spanish • Transportation • Food • Laundry and Gyms

Local Communication

Keep in mind that your phone needs to have a physical SIM slot in order to use a local SIM card, as e-SIM options are not available to tourists.

International Communication

To call or WhatsApp local phone numbers from abroad, dial the following:

• Country code: +54 (Argentina); +598 (Uruguay)

• Area code: 9 11 (Argentina)

• Phone number: 9197 6828 (Argentina); 97 547 061 (Uruguay)

🇦🇷 To call Buenos Aires cell phones from abroad, dial the country code +54 9 11 then the eight-digit phone number. To dial Buenos Aires landlines from abroad, dial the country exit code +54 11 then the eight-digit phone number.

🇺🇾 To call Montevideo phones from abroad, dial the country code +598 then the eight-digit phone number.

Postal mail

Sending valuables through the mail is strongly discouraged.  Also keep in mind that packages shipped internationally to Argentina are often held at customs upon arrival and taxed heavily, so we recommend that you do not receive international shipments in order to avoid burdensome costs and logistics.  If you would like to receive postal mail letters while in Argentina, you can have them sent to your housing.

Local Spanish

LIVING ABROAD GUIDE: Emergencies • Medical Care • Money • Communication • Local Spanish • Transportation • Food • Laundry and Gyms

🇦🇷 Transport in buenos aires 

Public transportation in Buenos Aires is very dependable and is the preferred method of transport of the locals. There are multiple means of public transportation: six lines of “subtes” (the abbreviation for “subterráneo,” or subway), more than one hundred lines of “colectivos” (buses), and “trenes” (interurban trains).  To identify the best route, we suggest using GoogleMaps, Moovit, and/or BA Como Llego. These will indicate which line to take, where the start and end-point stops are located, and give you an estimate of the cost and time it will take to arrive to your desired destination.

Transportation Apps for Buenos Aires:

We recommend downloading the following apps to help you navigate and get around the city.

Traveling throughout Argentina

Traveling by long-distance bus in Argentina is also reliable, very comfortable, and safe.  Most long-distance buses have bathrooms and air conditioning and provide meal services.  You can search for bus schedules and fares at Plataforma 10 or Central de Pasajes.  You can also purchase bus tickets in person at the main bus terminal - the Terminal de Omnibus de Retiro - or at bus company offices throughout the city. Some of the major bus companies include Via Bariloche, Chevallier, Plusmar, and Flecha Bus.   

You can also travel to destinations in Uruguay such as Colonia, Montevideo, and Punta del Este, via ferry.  The main ferry companies are Buquebus and Colonia Express.

Whenever you leave the city, it’s imperative to travel with your original passport (not a photocopy). Destinations outside of Buenos Aires may not have great cell phone service, a way to charge your local cell phone plan, or places to exchange money. Be sure to prepare accordingly.

🇺🇾 Transport in montevideo

Transportation Apps for Montevideo:

Traveling throughout Uruguay

Puentes Destination Guides

LIVING ABROAD GUIDE: Emergencies • Medical Care • Money • Communication • Local Spanish • Transportation • Food • Laundry and Gyms

Argentina is known for its steak and its Malbec (a type of red wine), but it also hosts a variety of international cuisine, thanks to its immigrant population. 

Breakfast in Argentina typically consists of coffee and “medialunas “(croissants), toast, or cereal. Breakfast in Uruguay typically consists of coffee and “bizcochos” (croissants)or a “sándwich caliente” (hot sandwich). Both Argentine and Uruguayan breakfasts are much lighter than most U.S.-style breakfasts.  Lunch is around 1pm and can include a sandwich, “empanadas”, a “tarta” (similar to quiche), or a salad.  Argentines and Uruguayans then enjoy a “merienda” (snack or tea) of coffee or “mate” (traditional tea drink) and pastries in the late afternoon.  Dinner is around 9pm, with restaurants becoming crowded near 10pm.

Restaurants

At restaurants, there is not a hostess culture, so it’s often normal to seat yourselves at a table and call the waiter or get their attention to order. Argentines and Uruguayans take their time and are in no rush to leave after finishing a meal, so the restaurant staff will not rush you to order, check in on you throughout the meal, or bring you the check unless you flag them down.

Take a look at the Buenos Aires Guide and Montevideo Guide for restaurant recommendations, and don’t hesitate to ask the Puentes Team for recommendations. 

LIVING ABROAD GUIDE: Emergencies • Medical Care • Money • Communication • Local Spanish • Transportation • Food • Laundry and Gyms

Laundry

Laundry service is not included in your Puentes housing. However, there are many “lavaderos” or “lavanderías” (laundromats) where you can drop off your clothes to be washed and dried, normally in twenty-four hours.  LaveRap is a major chain of reliable “lavaderos” throughout Buenos Aires.  You will be charged either by size or weight of the load.  Do keep in mind that “lavaderos” are not known for their attentive care in handling clothes, so if you have delicate items, you might prefer to wash them by hand at home.  Most “lavaderos” also do dry cleaning (“tintorería”) too.

Gyms

LIVING ABROAD GUIDE: Emergencies • Medical Care • Money • Communication • Local Spanish • Transportation • Food • Laundry and Gyms