Health & Safety

Health & Safety

Both Río Gallegos and El Calafate have modern medical facilities. In more remote areas, like Puerto Santa Cruz or El Chaltén, you can count on finding a clinic staffed by doctors able to take care of minor problems and arrange transfers for more serious cases. The mountains are not high enough for altitude sickness to be a problem, but the weather can turn nasty very quickly, so dress appropriately, in layers, and be prepared for whatever the capricious sky chooses to spit down. Long days and a thinning ozone layer mean sunburns are a problem, so lather on the cream. Sunglasses are essential.

Theft and robbery are not much of a problem in Santa Cruz province. However, all the wealth spilling into tourist boomtowns like El Calafate is attracting those who, if unable to find a job, might consider an unlocked door or unattended purse too tempting to resist. Take care of your belongings, avoid flaunting expensive jewelry or large sums of cash, take taxis late at night, and you should be fine.

Emergency Services

Coast Guard (106). Fire (100). Forest Fire (103). Hospital (107). Police (101).