Five Things To Do When Visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina 

Yesterday we had an opportunity to visit the beautiful bustling city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Even though our stay in Buenos Aires was short, this city’s rich history and influence definitely widened our aperture to a new world of cultural fusion. Taking from our own personal escapades and after speaking with a local guide, I wanted to share at least five things to do if you ever visit Buenos Aires, Argentina.

How To Prepare For A Trip To Buenos Aires, Argentina

• Airport Information – The Ezeiza International Airport (airport code: EZE) is the main international airport of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The address is: AU Tte. Gral. Pablo Riccheri Km 33,5, B1802 Ezeiza, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina

• Passport / Visa – Depending on your country of origin, entry requirements may vary or change. Therefore, I recommend visiting your local government website to see what the entry requirements are. For US citizens, as of January 2022, visitors must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay.
• Currency – The local currency for Buenos Aires is the Argentine peso (ARS). I recommend bringing some cash in the local currency to maximize exchange rates / fees. Local taxi cab drivers only accept the Argentine peso. Credit cards are also widely accepted. I recommend using a well-known network like Mastercard when traveling here, and using a card with zero foreign transaction fees. 

• Tipping – Tipping is customary in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After receiving a service, or being served food, some locals may ask you for a “propina”, which means tip in Spanish. Most locals do not expect a large tip, only a modest 10%. Also, if you’re in a taxi, it’s customary to round your fare up to the nearest dollar. 
• Learn Some Spanish – As an English speaking traveler, exploring South America has been quite a wake up call for the past few days. Spanish is the principal language of Buenos Aires, with few locals fluent in English. If you visit the tourist or business districts, you find some English speakers, but in general, I highly advise learning few key phrases in Spanish or purchasing a pocket AI translator.
• Bring A Power Adapter – Buenos Aires supports Type C and Type I sockets. To be on the safe side, I recommend traveling with a universal power adapter. 

• Getting Around – Buenos Aires has a lot of travel options available for tourists. Some of these include: taxis, buses, subway / trains, car rentals and ride-sharing apps such as Uber. Compared to the US, Uber prices in Buenos Aires are very reasonable.
• Best Time To Travel: If you’re thinking of visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina, I recommend visiting in the Spring (October to December). The weather in Buenos Aires, Argentina is very pleasant this time of year with perfect afternoon breezes, and lots of beautiful blooming flowers. This makes it an excellent time of year to explore the city and enjoying eating outdoors. 

Five Things To Do When Visiting Buenos Aires Argentina 

Buenos Aires, Argentina is comprised of 48 different neighborhoods at the time of this article. Its vibe is very reminiscent of Europe,  given their past from European and British invasions, and the influx of immigrants from all over the world. Buenos Aires proudly stands as Argentina’s largest and capital city, with a passion for the arts, gastronomy, soccer, and their rich history. With that said, there are a lot of tourist attractions in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

• Explore La Boca – Yesterday, we had the opportunity to dive into the rich culture of Argentina and visit the street where the Tango originated – El Caminito in the colorful La Boca district.

It was fascinating to learn that this famous style of dance had its birthplace amongst those who were considered poor, including immigrants from Africa, the Caribbean, Italy, Spain, and Germany. Instead of comparing themselves to the wealthier aristocratic class, they looked at what they did have – and that was amazing food, a love for music, and dance. With roots deep from African and European cultures, the songs and music also included a slang language called “lunfardo”, which was only understood by the lower class. Lunfardo was used to communicate warnings of the police or danger.

We also learned that much of the architecture and colors in El Caminito and La Boca has not changed from over a century ago. Since this neighborhood was originally made up of the working class, it was customary for the immigrants to paint their houses with leftover paint from the shipyard. 

• Experience the Tango – If you’re feeling adventurous, I recommend booking a Tango class during your stay. There are many forms of the Tango around the world, but why not learn from the city where it all started?! If you’re not up for a dance class, then I definitely recommend booking reservations to have dinner and a Tango show!

• Lunch shows are sometimes limited in Buenos Aires since the city comes alive at night (similar to many places in Europe). We enjoy our dinner and show at the Teatro Tango Porteño.

Video Preview of Teatro Tango Porteño:

@elicitfolio

Visit here for a tango show with lunch or dinner in Buenos Aires, Argentina. #fyp #buenosaires #argentina #thingstodoinbuenosaires #tangoshow

♬ original sound – Elicit Folio

• Although the dancers at the location were superb, I recommend visiting a smaller venue. This location is huge, perfect for large groups with great food. However, I find that such performances are best enjoyed in more intimate settings. 

• Taste an Asado Experience: If you’re not a vegan or vegetarian, you have to try Argentina’s famous barbecue (locally called asado). Argentina is known for their love of meat, making them one of the largest meat consumers in the entire world! The meat is traditionally cooked longer in Buenos Aires, Argentina, so be very specific about your meat temperature preference when placing orders. Try to escape to a local restaurant, away from any tourist areas for a true authentic experience! There are also some local chefs who offer personalized experiences. These can be booked through apps such as Viator. 

• Walk to the Famous Casa Rosada and Plaza de Mayo: The Casa Rosada (aka “The Pink House”, is the presidential palace in Buenos Aires. You can admire the beautiful architecture of the palace from the outside (similar to Buckingham Palace), or request a tour of the inside as well. The palace is famously known historically and from the movie “Evita”, where Madonna reenacted the emotional speech given by Eva Perón. Eva Perón was an activist, who understood and fought for the poor of Argentina.

• Eva Perón’s speech from the balcony of this building was a very moving moment in Argentina’s local history. She sadly gave her speech shortly after discovering she would soon die from a cancer diagnosis. In her speech, she implored the people of Argentina not to mourn her, but to stay strong. After visiting the historic Casa Rosada, you can also take a three minute walk over to what many consider to be the heart of the city – Plaza de Mayo (aka “May Square”). Plaza de Mayo is home base to some of Argentina’s largest popular demonstrations in the country. Here you will also see the Pirámide de Mayo (aka “May Pyramid”), which is the oldest national monument in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

• Experience the Gastronomy of Buenos Aires: Buenos Aires, Argentina is an electric, colorful city filled with great coffee, wine and food. There’s an insane amount of bars, cafes, and gastronomy bites such as empanadas, dulce de leche, dulce de leche, Choripán sandwiches, Milanesa, and ice cream is life here!

There are so many places to explore in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This vibrant city has so much to offer for history lovers, foodies, wine connoisseurs, and lovers of art. Be sure to stay tuned to learn more about Argentina’s neighbor – Uruguay. 

---