What Documents Will I Need When Traveling To Argentina?

VALID PASSPORT: check the expiration date on your passport. It should not expire within six months of your trip’s departure date. No visa is required for U.S. or European citizens to travel to Argentina or Chile. No Visa is required for American and European Citizens. Make a photocopy of your passport. Keep the original in your packed luggage, and only carry a photocopy of it when you are outside your hotel room, or the lodge. The only time you might need your original passport would be while shopping and paying with a credit card, or changing money.

What Forms Of Payments Are Accepted At Los Ombues?

Los Ombúes accepts cash, personal checks with no surcharge and Credit Cards (a 4% surcharge will be applied): Visa and American Express.

Is There A Dress Code At The Lodge?

No, there is no dress code at the lodge and the atmosphere is very casual. In the field, we suggest shorts or pants plus long or short sleeved camouflage or dark green shirts. Please do not wear khaki or light-colored shirts or hats in the field.

Do You Have High Speed Internet Connections Or A Phone To Make International Calls From The Lodge?

Yes. We have high speed Internet service available for your use. You can use Skype at the lodge to make calls. There is VOIP free American phone line for our guests use

Is It Customary To Tip At The Lodge?

Tips for the lodge and field staff are not included in our prices. Tipping is discretionary. The house staff tips are distributed evenly among the entire staff. For the bird pick-up boys, we recommend $65 per day per hunter. And another $ 65 for the lodge staff and masterguide, gifts such as camouflage caps, shirts and other hunting related items are also greatly appreciated by the bird pick-up boys.

How Far Is The Drive To The Fields?

The longest drive to get to the dove fields is 20 minutes and sometimes we shoot outside the front door of the lodge. We shoot perdiz at walking distance to the house, and the duck blinds are located 2 minutes driving to the boats and five to 40 minutes to the blinds.

What Guns Are Available For Rental?

We have over 140 guns for rent: Beretta, Benelli, Franchi, Browning, Remington: 12-20-28 and 410 gauges.

What Kind Of Shells Are Available?

We have 12, 20 and 28 gauge shotgun shells. We periodically have 410 shotgun shells. Please contact before your visit if you will require 410 shells so that we may check availability.

Am I Allowed To Bring My Own Shotgun Shells?

No. You are not permitted to bring shotgun shells into Argentina. Argentinean RENAR officials will confiscate your shells. Do not bring shotgun shells with you.

Do We Have To Use Plugs For Our Shotguns?

No. Plugs are not required for dove hunting in Argentina.

Do You Have Any Left-Handed Shotguns Available?

We do not have any available at this time.

How Many Shotguns Can We Bring?

You can bring a maximum of three guns into Argentina for the purpose of hunting.

Is It Hard To Bring Our Firearms To Argentina?

Bringing firearms into Argentina is a bureaucratic process and is only recommended for those who have specially fitted guns. U.S. Customs requires that you register your guns, and other expensive items such as: cameras, binoculars, notebook PC’s, etc. with them before leaving the country. This form is a one-time requirement, and it is valid for as long as you own your gun. The purpose of the form: it proves to U.S. Customs upon return that you bought the gun (or other high dollar items) in the USA, and not in South America. The truth is this: most people do not register items such as binoculars, cameras, and computers before they travel. Only on very rare occasions have we heard of customs officers questioning hunters about such items, however, it can happen.
The U.S. Customs Form 4457 must be completed in person at an international airport, or U.S. customs office. You must physically take the guns (in a case!) to an international airport, or a local customs office. If you are going to do this on the day of departure, we suggest that you arrive two hours earlier than normal (which is four hours prior to departure), because sometimes one has to wait for an available inspector.
Individuals who wish to enter into Argentina with one or more firearms AUTO OR SEMI AUTO SHOT GUNS, with the proposal to perform hunting activity, sporting shooting or other legitimate purpose, will have to submit application at the origin country argentine consulate, holding the equivalent legal possess authorization extended by the local authority, identification document or passport, requiring the applicable “temporary authorization and temporary possess permit” of corresponding material, during their stay in Argentina. Consular permits are no longer needed for people bringing over/under shotguns, side x sides and single shot guns. Barrels must be longer than 24”
European Travelers –You should inform the airline prior to travel date that you will be carrying shotguns and declare them when checking in for your flight. An airline official will escort you to a Customs post for gun registration and then hand carry your guns to the plane. On return, you must retrieve your guns at the airline service desk in the baggage hall. An airline official will accompany you to the red channel, where your guns are registered with Customs as re-entering the country. As soon as you get the Gun Permit from the consulate, all you have to do is send that permit via fax or email to us and we handle the rest of the paperwork for you. Upon arrival in Argentina you need to present your gun at the RENAR office, show the consulate gun permit (only if carrying auto or semi-auto shotguns) to them and pay a fee of U$D 100,00 per gun entry. Los Ombúes will have the necessary paper-work at the Renar Office upon your arrival. The waist time to register your gun upon entering the country could be 45 minutes TO TWO HOURS. Please note that you will be asked to show your gun papers on several occasions at the different airports so allow for extra time to check-in for flights. There is a new regulation at the Buenos Aires airport that requires passengers to check shotguns against the gun registration with the airport police (RENAR) AND AGAIN WHEN YOU GO THROUGH CUSTOMS. Please allow an extra time to go through this process. If you are travelling with guns you do need a Los Ombues representative to check your guns into the country, and if you are not travelling with guns, we also recommend using us to facilitate your transfers in the city. Please note you are allowed to bring small moving parts such as small springs, fire pins and hammers. You need to inform us if you plan on bringing whole trigger mechanisms, action bolt assembly system or carrier latches. You will need to declare these items just as you do a gun and pay the fee.

What Do I Have To Do To Reserve My Dates?

We require a non-refundable deposit in the amount of 50% of the land package cost. Deposits may be transferred to another hunter but may not be applied to a future season or year. We recommend that all guests purchase a trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment.

Are Any Special Vaccines Required?

No. But we suggest to consult with your physician for advise on travel to Argentina.

What Is The Weather Like?

Please see the weather section for seasonal information.

Is Argentina A Safe Country?

Argentina is probably the safest country in South America, and there have been no recorded threats directed against travelers or foreign tourists in Argentina. Robberies and thefts do occur, and we strongly urge you to use common sense when touring. Take the same precautions that you would if you were traveling in any large city where crime is an everyday occurrence. As in any popular tourist destination, tourists are sometimes targets of pickpockets, purse or camera snatching, taxi theft and in some instances, muggings for the purpose of robbery. Your personal safety should not be taken for granted so we urge you to maintain a high level of situational awareness when touring outside your hotel or when soliciting transportation. Los Ombues can provide you transportation and tour guides in Buenos Aires, you only have to let us know. And, please, don’t wear your Rolex around Buenos Aires.

Who Will Pick Us Up At The Airport?

A Los Ombúes representative will meet you at the airport and will assist you with the air/ground transfer to the lodge.

What Is Important Before Leaving Home?

Your paperwork and preparations begin before you leave for your trip. First, check the expiration date on your passport. It should not expire within six months of your trip’s departure date. Second, make a photocopy of your passport. Keep the original in your packed luggage, and only carry a photocopy of it when you are outside your hotel room, or the lodge. The only time you might need your original passport would be while shopping and paying with a credit card, or changing money. Third, if you intend to bring your own firearms, U.S. Customs requires that you register your guns, and other expensive items such as: cameras, binoculars, notebook PC’s, etc. with them before leaving the country. This form is a one-time requirement, and it is valid for as long as you own your gun. The purpose of the form: it proves to U.S. Customs upon return that you bought the gun (or other high dollar items) in the USA, and not in South America. The truth is this: most people do not register items such as binoculars, cameras, and computers before they travel. Only on very rare occasions have we heard of customs officers questioning hunters about such items, however, it can happen. The U.S. Customs Form 4457 must be completed in person at an international airport, or U.S. customs office. You must physically take the guns (in a case!) to an international airport, or a local customs office. If you are going to do this on the day of departure, we suggest that you arrive two hours earlier than normal (which is four hours prior to departure), because sometimes one has to wait for an available inspector. We purchase your hunting license for you prior to your arrival, and there is no requirement for you to sign it. European Travelers –You should inform the airline prior to travel date that you will be carrying shotguns and declare them when checking in for your flight. An airline official will escort you to a Customs post for gun registration and then hand carry your guns to the plane. On return, you must retrieve your guns at the airline service desk in the baggage hall. An airline official will accompany you to the red channel, where your guns are registered with Customs as re-entering the country.

Can I Bring Birds Out Of The Country When I Go Home?

It used to be possible to bring birds back home. However, the new airline regulations are making it impossible to check birds as luggage. Sorry for the inconvenience.