Argentina does not have a particularly sophisticated infrastructure for disabled travellers, but most Argentinians are extremely willing to help anyone experiencing problems and this helpful attitude goes some way to making up for deficiencies in facilities. There are also a couple of organizations based in the capital that can help you and several that can help you plan your trip before you leave home.
Things are beginning to improve, and it is in Buenos Aires that you will find the most notable changes: a recent welcome innovation has been the introduction of wheelchair ramps on the city's pavements - though unfortunately the pavements themselves tend to be narrow, are often littered with potholes or loose slabs and, especially in the microcentro, can become almost impassable due to the volume of pedestrians during peak hours. Public transport is less problematic, with many of the new buses that now circulate in the city offering low-floor access. For accommodation , the only sure-fire option for those with severe mobility problems are at the top end of the price range: most five-star hotels, including the Marriott Plaza and the Sheraton have full wheelchair access including wide doorways and roll-in showers. Those who have some mobility problems, but do not require full wheelchair access, will find most mid-range hotels are adequate, offering at least spacious accommodation and lifts. In all cases, the only way of finding out if a place meets your particular requirements is to ring the hotel in person and make specific enquiries.
Outside Buenos Aires, finding facilities for the disabled is pretty much a hit-and-miss affair, although there have been some notable improvements at major tourist attractions such as the Iguazú Falls, where new ramps and catwalks have been constructed, making the vast majority of the falls area accessible by wheelchair. The hostel associations Red Argentina de Albergues Juveniles and the Asociación Argentina de Albergues de la Juventud can offer information on access at their respective hostel networks.
Useful contacts
USA AND CANADA Directions Unlimited , 720 N. Bedford Rd, Bedford Hills, NY 10507 (tel 914/241-1700). Travel agency specializing in customized tours for people with disabilities. Mobility International USA , PO Box...
read more >>
