Buenos Aires, Argentina: travel guide
Argentina's vibrant capital blending European architecture with Latin passion — tango, world-class steak, Recoleta cemeteries, and tree-lined boulevards.
- Country
- Argentina
- Currency
- ARS
- Time zone
- America/Argentina/Buenos_Aires
- Nearest airport
- EZE
Top places to visit in Buenos Aires
Plaza de Mayo & Casa Rosada
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 1 h
The historic heart of Buenos Aires — Argentina's iconic pink government palace, Metropolitan Cathedral, and plaza that witnessed the country's most dramatic political moments.
La Boca & Caminito Street
Cultural · 4.5 rating · about 2 h
Buenos Aires' most colorful neighborhood — Caminito's corrugated iron houses in vivid colors, tango dancers on cobblestone streets, and the birthplace of Argentine soccer culture.
Recoleta Cemetery
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h
One of the world's most beautiful cemeteries — ornate mausoleums housing Argentina's elite, including Evita Perón. A landmark blend of architecture and history.
Puerto Madero Waterfront
Cultural · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h
Transformed 19th-century docks — red-brick warehouses with top restaurants, Puente de la Mujer pedestrian bridge by Calatrava, and the Costanera Sur ecological reserve.
San Telmo Market & Antiques Fair
Market · 4.6 rating · about 2 h
Buenos Aires' oldest neighborhood — Sunday antiques fair along Defensa Street, live tango performances, 19th-century architecture, and the city's best street food.
MALBA – Latin American Art Museum
Museum · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · entry ARS 4,000
Museum of Latin American Art — world-class collection of 20th-century works including Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in a stunning modern building in Palermo.
Palermo Parks & Japanese Garden
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h
Buenos Aires' largest green space — Bosques de Palermo with boating lake, Japanese Garden, Rose Garden (Rosedal), and weekend handicrafts fair at Plaza Serrano.
Things to do
- Tango Show & Dinner at Café de los Angelitos Cultural · 3 h · from ARS 28,000 per person
- Palermo Nightlife Bar Crawl Nightlife · 4 h · from ARS 7,500 per person
- Buenos Aires Bike Tour Adventure · 3.5 h · from ARS 8,500 per person
- Argentine Asado Cooking Class Culinary · 4 h · from ARS 18,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Buenos Aires City Highlights 8 h · from 28,000
- Buenos Aires Tango Immersion Evening 5 h · from 65,000
Where to stay in Buenos Aires
- Palermo / Recoleta about ARS 18,000 per night
Upscale leafy neighbourhood with boutique hotels, restaurants, and the famous Recoleta Cemetery. Safe and walkable.
- San Telmo about ARS 10,000 per night
Historic cobblestone barrio with tango milongas, antique market, and budget-to-mid accommodation. Bohemian atmosphere.
- Microcentro / Puerto Madero about ARS 28,000 per night
Business centre with luxury waterfront hotels in Puerto Madero. Best for business travellers; walkable to main sights.
Hotels
- Alvear Palace Hotel 5-star · ARS 55,000 to ARS 180,000 per night
- Faena Hotel Buenos Aires 5-star · ARS 65,000 to ARS 220,000 per night
- Palermo Soho Hostel 2-star · ARS 4,500 to ARS 12,000 per night
- NH Collection Buenos Aires Lancaster 4-star · ARS 22,000 to ARS 55,000 per night
Where to eat
- La Cabrera argentinian, steakhouse, parrilla · about ARS 5,500 per person
- Don Julio argentinian, steakhouse, parrilla · about ARS 8,500 per person
- Cabaña Las Lilas argentinian, steakhouse · about ARS 12,000 per person
- Mercado de San Telmo argentinian, street_food, market · about ARS 1,500 per person
- El Federal argentinian, italian, traditional · about ARS 3,500 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Metro main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Mustard/Water Distraction Theft
San Telmo, La Boca, Recoleta, Florida Street
A person squirts mustard, ketchup, or fake bird droppings on you. An accomplice immediately offers to help clean up and steals your wallet or phone while patting you down.
How to avoid it: Decline all unsolicited help. If something lands on you, secure your valuables and go to a nearby shop to clean up. Front pockets and crossbody bags help.
Fake Blue-Rate Currency Exchange
Florida Street pedestrian zone, downtown Buenos Aires
Street touts ("arbolitos") offer USD exchange at "blue rate" in back rooms. You receive counterfeit pesos or are shortchanged while counting large stacks of notes in a distracting environment.
How to avoid it: Use only established casas de cambio with official signage, receipts, and glass cashier windows. Never follow a stranger to a back room.
ATM Card Skimming
ATMs city-wide, especially non-bank standalone machines
Criminals attach skimming devices to card slots and cameras above the keypad to capture card data and PIN for card cloning.
How to avoid it: Use only bank-branded ATMs inside bank branches during hours. Cover the keypad when entering PIN. Check for anything loose on the card slot before inserting.
Unlicensed Airport Taxi Scam
Ezeiza Airport (EZE) arrivals exit
Unlicensed drivers approach passengers outside arrivals offering cheap rates, then overcharge massively or take passengers to ATMs at gunpoint.
How to avoid it: Use only official Radio Taxi kiosk inside arrivals hall, pre-book remis via hotel, or use Uber/Cabify with app ready before landing.