Pharmacies, Medication and Travel Health for Skiers in Argentina

In Argentina you can buy many common medications over the counter at a farmacia, but antibiotics, strong painkillers and prescription drugs need a prescription. Bring the medicines you take regularly in their original packaging, carry a copy of your prescription with the generic drug name, and pack a small first aid kit for blisters, sore muscles and sun. Pharmacies are plentiful in Bariloche, San Martin de los Andes and Ushuaia, but smaller ski towns have fewer, so prepare before you go.

Quick Answer: Medication and pharmacies for skiers in Argentina

• Prescription drugs: bring enough for the whole trip plus a few extra days, in original packaging
• Over the counter: ibuprofen, paracetamol, antihistamines and rehydration salts are easy to find
• Pharmacy sign: look for "Farmacia", often with a green cross
• Hours: most open mornings and evenings, with a midday closure in some towns; one pharmacy per area is on rotation for night duty
• Insurance: keep receipts for claims

Can I buy medication at pharmacies in Argentina without a prescription?

You can buy many common medications without a prescription, including pain relievers, cold remedies and stomach medicines, but antibiotics and controlled drugs require a prescription from an Argentine doctor. Pharmacists are knowledgeable and often help with minor problems. Do not rely on finding your exact brand: pharmacies sell by generic name or local brand.

Because brand names differ by country, write down the generic name (the active ingredient) of every medicine you take. A pharmacist can match it to a local equivalent.

What should I bring from home?

Bring all prescription medicines you cannot go a day without, plus enough extra for delays. Carry them in your hand luggage in the original packaging with the pharmacy label, and bring a short letter from your doctor if the medication is unusual or a controlled substance. Check Argentine rules before travelling with controlled medication.

A practical packing list:

1. Regular prescriptions, plus 3-5 extra days
2. Prescription copy with generic names
3. Pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol
4. Blister plasters and tape for boot hot spots
5. Antihistamines for allergies
6. Rehydration salts
7. Lip balm and high-SPF sunscreen; see our sun and UV guide
8. Any asthma or heart medication, kept in a separate pouch

Also see our packing list and our post on packing mistakes.

What pharmacies are available in Bariloche and other ski towns?

Bariloche has dozens of pharmacies in the centre and near the main streets, and larger towns such as San Martin de los Andes, Villa La Angostura and Ushuaia each have several. Smaller places like El Bolson and Esquel have fewer, and mountain bases have none, so stock up in town before heading uphill. In the largest towns some pharmacies stay open late.

Ask your hotel which pharmacy is on night duty ("farmacia de turno") in the town. Local newspapers and signs on pharmacy doors list the rotation.

Does altitude or cold cause health problems for skiers?

Cerro Catedral's summit area is around 2,000 m, which is moderate and rarely causes altitude sickness for most skiers. Las Lenas is higher, with the base near 2,200 m, and some guests feel headaches or breathlessness on the first days. Cold, dry air and sun also cause dehydration, chapped lips and sunburn, so drink water and use protection.

We cover this topic in more detail in altitude acclimatisation for skiers. If you have a heart, lung or blood pressure condition, speak to your doctor before travelling.

What should I do if I get sick or hurt during the trip?

For minor problems, a pharmacist can often help. For anything serious, go to a clinic or hospital, and call your travel insurer. Bariloche has hospitals and private clinics, and ski resorts have patrol and first aid.

Steps to follow:

1. Contact ski patrol on the mountain for any injury
2. Keep every receipt and medical note for insurance
3. Call your insurer's assistance line early
4. Ask the hotel to recommend a doctor if it is not urgent

See our guides on what to do if you get injured and ski insurance for Argentina.

How do I treat common ski trip aches without a doctor?

Most ski-trip complaints are minor: sore quads, blisters, a dry throat and sunburn. Ibuprofen or paracetamol covers muscle pain, blister plasters protect hot spots from day two onward, and lozenges help with dry mountain air. A hot bath or one of Bariloche's sauna and hot-bath spots is a good way to recover after a long day.

Rest matters as much as medicine. If your legs are shot on day four, our guides suggest a lighter day or a full recovery day rather than pushing through. Drink water through the day, since dry air and wind dehydrate you faster than most skiers expect, and keep a small pouch with your basics in your jacket pocket so you do not have to go back to the lodge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring prescription medicine into Argentina? Yes, for personal use in original packaging. Carry a prescription or doctor's letter, and check rules for controlled drugs before you fly.

Are pharmacies open on weekends? Many are, and one pharmacy in each town is on duty overnight. Hours vary by town and day.

Do pharmacists speak English? In Bariloche some do, but not all. Written generic names and a translation app help.

Should I get vaccines before skiing in Argentina? Routine vaccines should be up to date. Ask your doctor or a travel clinic about anything else, since this is medical advice we cannot give.

This guide was written by the Ski Patagonia Co. team, based on many seasons of looking after guests in Bariloche and years of working with local clinics and guides. It is general travel information, not medical advice.

If you want help planning a smooth trip, plan your trip with us and see our family ski trips if you are travelling with children.

Hero photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash