Planning For Your Trip

Communication

WhatsApp is the main app for communicating in Argentina (along with most other countries in the world). Install the WhatsApp app on your smartphone to message with everyone you meet, milonga organizers, teachers, friends, etc. You can easily buy a SIM card in the city if you want a local phone number. Otherwise, you can buy an eSIM before you arrive in Argentina via Airalo. More here.

Money

Getting pesos is complicated in Argentina due to a long lasting economic crisis! Bring new, unmarked, crisp USD $100 or EUR €100 bills (smaller, marked, and poor condition bills have lower value) to exchange for pesos at the blue rate (black market), up to US $10,000. People typically end up spending more here on the higher end restaurants, buying Tango shoes clothes, etc., so bring extra cash just in case.

Using ATMs to withdraw money is not a viable method – max is about US $40 per transaction! Your foreign issued bank debit/credit cards get 70-90% of the value and can be a good alternative.

For longer stays, use Western Union to transfer money from your foreign bank accounts to get pesos here. More here.

Onward Ticket

Argentina does require proof of an onward ticket in order to enter the country. While no one has reported being asked for this at immigration upon arrival, most airlines do require seeing the onward ticket before letting you board your flight to Argentina.

Safety

Buenos Aires is generally a safe city, especially compared to many other big cities in Latin America that have high rates of violent crime. The main areas of BA where tourists visit are generally safe, but petty theft can be a problem – stay vigilant. The #1 item that thieves steal are iPhones, especially if you’re walking around on the street using them, or if you leave them out on your table at an outdoor restaurant or milonga. More here.

Electric Plugs

Argentina uses 220 volts for AC electricity. There are two common types of plugs, Types C and Type I, found everywhere. Type I is more common in newer buildings. Type I is also the same one used in Australia, China, and New Zealand.

If you need to buy a plug adapter in Buenos Aires, search for a “ferreteria” in Google Maps to find the closest electric supply store in your neighborhood. These usually cost less than US $1.

Adapters sold in BA tend to be of low quality, so it’s best to bring 2-3 adapters from your country. You can buy a 3 pack of Type I adapters on Amazon: here, here, and here.

    When To Visit

    The City of Buenos Aires has a nice 60+ page guide full of basic information about the city here. While this guide is made for Digital Nomads, it’s still helpful for other types of visitors.

    • Warmest summer months: January and February
    • Coldest winter months: July and August
    • Peak tourist season: December through March (November and April are shoulder seasons for tourism).
    • Best months to visit for Tango dancers: November through March; lots of activities – especially Festivals – due to the warmer weather and tourism is at its peak for dancing and escaping the colder weather back in Europe and North America.
    • Peak Tango month: August, due to Mundial, the world competition for Tango and attracts large numbers of people (especially professionals and higher level dancers from around the world) coming to compete and watch.

    Argentina Entry Requirements

    Latest official information for entering Argentina is here.

    COVID: Argentina no longer has any COVID related requirements for entering the country. No need to show proof of vaccinations, tests, nor health insurance.

    Onward Ticket: Argentina does require proof of an onward ticket in order to enter the country. While no one has reported being asked for this at immigration upon arrival, most airlines do require seeing the onward ticket before letting you board your flight to Argentina.

    If your trip is open-ended and you don’t want to buy a return ticket in advance, then you have two options:

    1. Purchase a refundable ticket before traveling and cancel it after entering Argentina. If you use the American travel websites (such as Expedia, Priceline, Orbitz, Travelocity, etc.) then you can easily cancel the flight within 24 hours of purchase – this is an American law requirement. Make sure that you are using the US version of these websites!
    2. For $10-$20, you can get a temporary ticket reservation via several online services. Google “onward ticket” to find many providers. Some recommended ones:
      a. Best Onward Ticket
      b. Onward Ticket

    This website lists all airlines and direct flights to Buenos Aires.

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