Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do on a trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Buenos Aires, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do when you are visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Don’t Be Afraid to Give the Finger
No, not that finger! The “finger wave” comes in really handy if someone is bothering you. It’s an easy way of saying “no thanks” to beggars or persistent shopkeepers. Simply wave your index finger while shaking your head “no” and that will get the message across. And don’t be surprised if you get the finger wave for wearing the wrong soccer jersey!
Don’t Go to the Superclasico Soccer Match
Attending a soccer match in Buenos Aires can be a lot of fun, but I do not recommend going to the Superclasico. This is the match between local rivals Boca Juniors and River Plate. It can get a bit rowdy, and unless you’re super invested in one of these teams, it’s not worth it.
Don’t Be Put Off By the Service
Service in Buenos Aires can sometimes be a little smug. Argentinians are generally a bit more “posh” than other parts of South America, so it can come across as haughty. You’ll see this in the service as well as with some taxi drivers who may not want your business. Therefore, it helps to just be patient and go with the flow. Don’t get upset and don’t take it personally.
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Buenos Aires
Don’t Be Afraid of Public Transportation
Buenos Aires is huge, and although taxis and Ubers are readily available, they can take a while due to traffic. The Subte is the local subway in Buenos Aires, and it goes to most of the Buenos Aires attractions that you would want to see.
Don’t Miss Recoleta Cemetery
Recoleta Cemetery is one of the most popular things to see in Buenos Aires. The tombs are really incredible. Many famous figures from Argentinian history are entombed here, including Eva Peron. But don’t expect anything elaborate for the tomb of the beloved actress and First Lady. It’s tucked down a side alley and is quite simple in comparison to some of the others. When you hear the bell ring at the end of the day, don’t ignore it! Head to the nearest exit right away.
Don’t Stay in Boca After Dark
Boca is a great neighborhood in Buenos Aires, with colorful buildings and lively streets full of people. It’s a bit touristy, so you can expect to pay a bit more for your meals here. However, don’t linger after dark in Boca. There are some “less desirable” areas of Boca that you are better off skipping. For that matter, you shouldn’t really wander around anywhere at night in Buenos Aires. Get a taxi to and from your destination.
Don’t Assume it Will Be Hot
Many people think Buenos Aires is warm all the time. Our last visit was during July and August, which is winter in Argentina. I definitely could have used a winter coat on that trip as it was quite chilly in Buenos Aires. June, July and August are the coldest months for visiting Buenos Aires.
Don’t Miss Out on the Steak & Wine!
Sorry vegetarians, but the best thing to eat in Buenos Aires is the meat! You’ll be able to find salads if you want, but they eat a lot of meat in Argentina. They’re pretty famous for steak. The food in Argentina is so good that we have a separate post all about it! The wine in Argentina is also fantastic, so make sure you try a few local varieties to go with your steak. Don’t forget to tip your waiter; about 10% is customary.
Don’t Skip the Ice Cream
Somehow, when ice cream came to Argentina, they found a way to improve it! The ice cream, or helado, in Argentina, is so delicious. From little mom-and-pop ice cream shops to chains like Freddo, I recommend having as much ice cream as possible when you visit Buenos Aires.
Don’t Bring Large Bills
You can use US Dollars in many places throughout Buenos Aires, but it will be really hard to spend large bills. Try to bring 5’s and 10’s and you will be glad you did. I brought mostly five-dollar bills on my last trip and they were perfect for getting around in taxis. ATMs aren’t as common as you might expect for a large city, so having some cash on hand is definitely the way to go.
Don’t Miss the Museums
With all of the free things to do and outdoor fairs and markets, you might be tempted to skip the museums, but that would be a mistake. Buenos Aires has some amazing museums. The National Museum of Fine Arts, The Museum of Latin American Art, and the Natural Science Museum are a few of our favorites. Check the hours, as some don’t open until the afternoon, but they will be open in the evening.
Don’t Plan to Get Far with High School Spanish
Although they speak Spanish in Buenos Aires, many locals have their own dialect and accent, which can make it difficult to understand. The conjugations are a bit different than the Spanish you are used to, so even if you think you know a bit of Spanish, you might have trouble communicating with the locals.
Don’t Tempt Fate in Traffic
Drivers in Buenos Aires are crazy, so you have to be really careful as a pedestrian. Always look both ways before crossing, and never assume a car is going to stop, even if they have the red light. I’ve actually seen a lot of people get hit by cars trying to cross the street, so please be extra careful when walking around Buenos Aires.
Don’t Interfere with the Dog Walkers
You’ll see dog-walkers with up to a dozen dogs walking around Buenos Aires. It’s a funny sight that we’re not used to in the United States. But be aware, they do not like you to try and pet the dogs. It’s hard enough to keep them together and behaved without someone trying to come in and pet them. (On that note: don’t forget to watch where you walk; they don’t do a great job of picking up after the dogs!)
Don’t Expect Taxi Drivers to Take You
Taxi drivers in Buenos Aires have a lot of leeway in which passengers they pick up. They may not feel like driving to where you want to go, or they just might decide they don’t like the way you look. We’ve been refused taxi service several times in Buenos Aires. If you are in a hurry, you can try Uber or have your hotel call a taxi for you. Also, you don’t have to tip the taxi drivers here.
Don’t Flash Valuables
People in Buenos Aires dress very well, so it’s not the place to dress like a slob in sweatpants and t-shirts. However, the last thing you want to do is to flash expensive jewelry or accessories around. Leave the valuables at home so you don’t become a target.
Don’t Open Your Door to Strangers
This is especially for those of you in an apartment rental, as it’s not so much an issue in hotels. If you rent an apartment or stay with a family, do not open the door to anyone you don’t know. This is an easy way to get robbed.
Don’t Be Early
In Argentina, it’s pretty normal to show up 20 to 30 minutes after the agreed meeting time. Tours and transportation run on time, but generally social gatherings will have a late start. Even dinner is pretty late in Buenos Aires; expect to eat dinner around 8:00. 10:00 is normal dinner time in Buenos Aires. If you go to a nightclub, don’t go before midnight because nobody will be there; they’re still eating dinner!
Don’t let these “don’ts” keep you from visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina. It’s affordable and there are a ton of cool things to do. I went to college here for a bit and I really love it. I really hope you will decide to visit Buenos Aires because it’s worth it! Want more of our South America travel tips? Check out some of our other blog posts: