The best way to get to know Buenos Aires is to walk it around. Don’t be afraid to get in touch with the people, they a friendly and helpful. Buenos Aires is an amazing city, full of contrast. No wonder so many people are choosing to live in Buenos Aires. Here is some useful information for the visitor.

 

Population: Buenos Aires is really a very big city, with 3 million people living there and other 10 million more spread in the suburbs. During the day the noise and moving is constant. At night it is slightly less but the city never sleeps. Discos and bars stay open till sunrise. Only Sundays are a bit calmer, when argentines prefer to spend and enjoy time with their families.

Language: Spanish is the official language but in Buenos Aires people use the “vos” instead of the “tu” as in Spain and the rest of Latin America. Porteños also use a lot the word “che” when trying to catch a friends attention. “Che” was the word given by the indians to the white people. Many people, specially in the tourism industry speaks english. You will be impressed by the quantity of signs with words in english on them!

Money: The Argentine currency is the Peso ($) with bills of 100 – 50 – 20 – 10 – 5 pesos and coins of 1 peso and 50 – 25 -10 -5 cents.

American Dollars are also widely accepted in many places as shops, entertainment centers and supermarkets.

Credit Cards: Credit cards are widely accepted. You will have to present an ID with your card when purchasing.

ATM: There are ATM machines all over the city in banks, gas stations, shopping centers and supermarkets.

Currency exchange: You can change foreign money to pesos in banks or exchange offices. I recommend changing only a small amount at the airport because there, they never have a good exchange rate.

Remember to have your passport with you for they will surely ask for it.

Banking hours: Banks open at 10 am and close at 3 pm (some banks extend their closing time to 4 pm). Cash extractions and other transactions may be made in ATMs, 24 hours a day.

For exchange rate you can check in the web dolarhoy.

Money Transfer: You can send or receive money from other countries using the International services  (check for the nearest office in in the web, there are plenty of them in the city.) They only charge a commission for sending money.

Tipping: Tipping is a regular custom in Buenos Aires in bars, restaurants, hotels and delivery services. Tipping is around the 10% of the ticket. Taxi drivers are not expected to receive any tips, but they are welcome.

 

Comunications:

There are very few public phones in the streets, usually people use mobile phones. Argentina has more than 39 million cellular phones being used! All though the rates a very high compared to the USA or Europe. You can buy a prepaid cellular phone for as low as 120 Pesos. The rate for the minute will be somewhere around 60 cents. Cards are sold in “Maxikioscos” and phone centers called “Locutorios”.

The “locutorios” are excellent places; they offer cabins with phones where you can sit and make all the phone calls you need, then pay your bill when you leave. Many of them also have computers with Internet. They charge around 2 pesos for the use of the computer with internet connection for 1 hour.

 

Health: The most important health rule when you travel is to take care of what you eat and drink. Minor stomach upsets are the most frequently problem for travelers. The tap water of Buenos Aires is very safe for drinking and food is OK. Public Hospitals in Buenos Aires will attend all patients for free. Generally doctors and nurses are excellent professionals, very well prepared.

First class private medicine is quite unexpensive compared to other countries, that is why so many people (argentines living abroad and foreigners) come to Buenos Aires for different medical procedures or to go to the dentist.

Dengue Fever: At this moment the dengue fever, a mosquito-spread disease is present in Argentina, specially in the north of the country. There is no prophylactic, but the best way to prevent it is to avoid any mosquito bite.

Days in Buenos Aires are really long and busy. They start very early in the morning. Some people start working at 6 and they end very late at night with most bars and restaurants open till 12PM

 

Working hours:

Shops :9-8 PM monday to friday – Saturday 9-12PM

Restaurants: 10AM to 12 PM

Malls: 10 AM to 10 PM

Supermarkets: 9 AM to 9 PM

Banks: 10AM to 3 PM

Bars: 7 PM to 3AM

Discos: 1AM to 6AM

 

Meals: Breakfast: 6AM to 10AM

Lunch: 12 to 2PM

Tea Time: 5PM to 7 PM

Dinner: 8:30PM to 12 PM

 

Transportation:

Taxis: They are all black with yellow on top. They are generally a safe way to move around. The taxi meter shows the fare for the trip. Just pay what the meter says, no more. You can tip the driver if you want but it is not mandatory!

Buses: They are commonly known as “Colectivos” and you can go everywhere in the city if you choose the right one! Bus stops generally have a sign with the route but if not a good thing is to is to ask in a newspaper kiosk or a policeman, they usually know which one to pick. The lowest fare is $1,10 and must be paid in coins. You tell the driver where you are going and he will display in the ticket machine the amount for you to introduce. For long distance trips there is the bus Terminal in the Retiro Area.

Subways: Buenos Aires has 6 metro lines. The “A” line is the oldest inaugurated in 1913. Probably the oldest metro wagons still working in the whole world. All made of wood, is like going back to the beginning of the 20th. century. The walls of hallways and stations of line “A” are decorated with painted tiles. If you have a chance make a trip in this line but avoid the rush hours, because they are crowded, but it is surely the fastest way to move around. The fare is $1,10 the trip and works from 5 AM to 10:30 PM.

Walking: This is positively the best way to move around. People walk a lot in the city, and I believe this is a reason why they are so thin! apart from the fact that argentines love to work out and eat rather healthy. They are number one consumers of light food. When walking in the streets, watch out when you cross, for drivers don’t care much about walkers! 

Security: Buenos Aires is a safe city but you must take some precautions as in any big city in the world. Keep a constant eye in your bag and pockets. Don’t use expensive jewelry and watches while walking in the streets, and if you do , cover them with your clothes. Try not to carry to much cash with you, just what you need for the day or use credit card. Try to avoid lonely places, specially at night.

When arriving in the airport, don´t take taxis offered as you pass by. Go to any of the kiosks offering transfer services.

Don´t change currency in the streets, even though the deals are relaly good. Go to a bank or exchange office.

There is a tourist Police Station located in Corrientes 436. Toll Free: 0-800-999-5000

Tourist assistance line toll free: 0-800-999-2838 Here you can report any problem you might have.

 

I hope these tips will be useful for your next Buenos Aires adventure.