Colorful facades in the La Boca neighbourhood of Buenos Aires

Argentina

Buenos Aires Travel Guide

Europe-meets-South-America elegance, best explored barrio by barrio.

Updated September 30, 2025 · By Camila Duarte

Buenos Aires rewards slow travel through its distinct neighbourhoods. Here's how to decide where to base yourself and get around easily.

Quick overview

Travel essentials

Currency

Argentine Peso (ARS$)

Language

Spanish

Timezone

ART (UTC-3)

Best time to visit

March–May and September–November

Flight time

9 hrs from Miami, 13 hrs from London

Power plug

Type C/I, 220V

Pick the right base

Best areas to stay in Buenos Aires

Palermo

Best for first-time visitors & nightlife

Buenos Aires' largest and trendiest district, split into Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood — full of restaurants, boutiques, and parks.

Recoleta

$$$

Best for luxury & culture

An elegant, Parisian-feeling district with museums, the famous cemetery, and some of the city's top hotels.

San Telmo

Best for history & character

Cobblestone streets, antique markets, and tango halls in the city's oldest neighbourhood — great atmosphere, slightly further from the main sights.

Puerto Madero

$$$

Best for modern comfort

A redeveloped waterfront district with glass towers and a safe, polished feel — convenient but less distinctly 'Buenos Aires'.

Book smarter

Recommended hotel search

Hotels & Accommodation

Booking.com

4.6· Trustpilot

Best for: Largest selection & free cancellation

Huge inventory with flexible, no-prepayment rates

$$Check hotel prices

Hotels.com

4.3· Trustpilot

Best for: Loyalty rewards & last-minute deals

Collect-10-nights-get-1-free rewards program

$$Compare hotel rates

We may earn a commission if you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure.

Arriving

Buenos Aires airport to city centre

Private transfer / remise

~35–45 min from Ezeiza · $$

The recommended option from the main international airport (EZE), which sits well outside the city centre.

Airport shuttle bus (Tienda León)

~40–50 min · $

A reliable, budget-friendly coach service running directly to a central terminal downtown.

Official airport taxi

~40 min · $$

Book through the official counter inside arrivals rather than accepting offers from unofficial drivers.

Getting around

Car rental in and around the city

A car isn't necessary within Buenos Aires — the Subte (subway) and taxis cover the city well. Renting is more useful for trips into the Pampas or wine country around Mendoza (via a connecting flight), picking up locally rather than in the capital.

Car Rental

DiscoverCars

4.6· Trustpilot

Best for: Comparing all major rental brands at once

Full insurance add-on and free cancellation on most cars

$Compare rental cars

RentalCars.com

4.2· Trustpilot

Best for: Airport pickup availability worldwide

Backed by Booking.com's global supplier network

$$Check car rental prices

We may earn a commission if you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure.

Staying connected

eSIM recommendations

Coverage is reliable throughout Buenos Aires. Argentina's multi-tiered currency exchange situation also makes having working data on arrival particularly useful for checking current exchange rates.

eSIM & Connectivity

Airalo

4.6· App Store

Best for: Simple app-based eSIM install for 200+ countries

Pay-as-you-go local & regional data packages

$Check eSIM plans

Holafly

4.4· Trustpilot

Best for: Unlimited data without worrying about caps

Flat-rate unlimited-data eSIM plans

$$See unlimited eSIM plans

We may earn a commission if you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure.

Plan ahead

Things worth booking in advance

Tango show with dinner

A classic first-night activity — book a well-reviewed venue rather than walking into one blind, as quality varies widely.

See available tours

Estancia day trip with horseback riding

A full-day countryside escape that pairs well with 2–3 days in the city itself.

Browse tours & activities

Before you go

Practical travel tips

Practical tips

Argentina's exchange rate situation means card rates and cash ('blue dollar') rates can differ significantly — research the current best way to pay before you go.
Dinner typically starts late — many restaurants don't fill up until 9–10pm.
The Subte (subway) is efficient but doesn't cover every neighbourhood — pair it with taxis or ride-hailing for Palermo and Recoleta.
Buenos Aires is in the Southern Hemisphere — seasons are reversed from Europe and North America.