Visas & travel documentation
Passports
It is mandatory for all visitors to Chile and Argentina to have a valid passport for at least the entire duration of travel, considering any possible delays that could occur. Some countries require your passport to be valid for six months beyond the date of return travel.
Please check with the relevant authority (embassy and/or airline) for any specific requirements or restrictions if you are in any doubt or if your passport will be close to expiring at the return date of your trip.
Visas
Citizens of the European Union, the UK, the United States, Canada and Australia (among other countries), will not be required to apply for a visa when travelling to Argentina. If you are travelling from certain countries not mentioned above, you may need to apply for a tourist visa - check with your local embassy.
You can read more about requirements in our guide to visas and travel documentation.
Iguazu Falls
Some nationalities may require a visa for entering Brazil, even if only entering the country for a few hours just to see the falls.
It is important to note that this legislation may change without notice, and travellers should always check with their local Brazilian embassy/consular before travel.
If you are unsure whether to include the Brazilian side of the falls in your Swoop itinerary, please speak with your Customer Experience Coordinator for further details.
Swoop says
We recommend bringing printed copies of all essential documents where possible. If you rely on your phone, the battery could drain, or you might not have a signal or WIFI when you need it.
Reciprocity fees
Some nationalities may have to pay a reciprocity fee in order to enter Argentina. You should verify this with your local embassy or consulate.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is extremely important when visiting Patagonia and is a mandatory requirement for all travellers. At Swoop, we require all customers to have adequate insurance, and your Patagonia operator(s) may have additional requirements you’ll need to meet.
Recent regulations in Argentina mean that travel insurance, proof of sufficient funds, and proof of onward or return travel may be required for foreign visitors. While these checks are not currently being enforced at immigration, this could change at any time without notice.
We therefore strongly advise that you travel with:
- Valid travel insurance
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Confirmation of onward or return travel
We also recommend carrying a printed copy of your insurance policy and supporting documents.
Flights, airports & connections
Getting to your trip starting location will most likely involve some air travel. Since Patagonia is a vast region encompassing parts of both Chile and Argentina, you will need some time to arrive and depart from different airports. We've compiled a brief guide on flight information for both countries, including suggested travel times, airport taxes and baggage allowances.
VAT payments in Argentina
At present, in both Chile and Argentina, tourists are not charged VAT (19% in Chile, 21%, in Argentina) for their hotel/accommodation rates. This is controlled by the hotel itself, via the customer's passport stamp and/or immigration paper receipt.
Please be aware, however, that the Argentine immigration office is no longer stamping passports.
For the avoidance of doubt, neither Swoop nor our local partners will be held liable for any surcharges or any taxes, including VAT or its equivalent, that may be applied as a result of national or regional government policies. Please note that such governmental policies can be modified at short notice and without prior notification.
Disclaimer
Information provided by Swoop is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time only, but we cannot be held responsible for changes not immediately reflected on this website or in information shared with you. Customers should undertake research appropriate to their circumstances before making final decisions.
Where links to government, operators or other third-party sites are provided, again this information is accurate and up-to-date to the best of our knowledge, but we cannot be held responsible for third-party content.