Capital city, Argentina
Buenos Aires
South America's easiest big city for a solo trip or nomad base: late dinners, tango, cafés, parks and a huge social scene. Phone theft, inflation-driven price swings and noise are the trade-offs.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$1,180–1,840Comfortable, one person · $1.8M–2.8MDetails
- Value for money64/100Better value than 63% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar–May, Oct–NovWarmest: Jan, 28°CDetails
- Air quality10.1 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2014) · ModerateDetails
- Internet137 MbpsFixed broadband, Argentina medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is treated and safe; some people use filters for taste or old building tanks.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel5/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$33–79Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and contactless work in most restaurants, cafés and shops; cash for kiosks, markets, some taxis and tips.Details
Where to stay in Buenos Aires
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Palermo (Soho and Hollywood) | First-timers and nomads: cafés, bars, parks, coworking |
| Recoleta–Barrio Norte | Quiet, elegant, central; museums and good transit |
| San Telmo | Tango, markets, older buildings; cheaper stays, rougher edges |
| Villa Crespo | Long stays: cheaper than Palermo, local bars and food |
| Belgrano–Colegiales | Calmer residential base with Subte access |
Apps that work in Buenos Aires
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Plataforma 10: Book long-distance bus tickets
- SUBE: Transit card for buses, Subte and trains
- Taxis: Official taxis are metered and fine; pay with small bills. Stick to app or radio taxis at Ezeiza to avoid unlicensed drivers.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Argentina.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless work in most restaurants, cafés and shops; cash for kiosks, markets, some taxis and tips. Cash and transfer discounts are common.
- Currency: Peso (ARS). US$1 ≈ $1,523.09 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Banelco and Link ATMs take foreign cards but charge a high flat fee per withdrawal with low limits.
- Tipping: Leave about 10% in restaurants, ideally in cash; the 'cubierto' cover charge isn't a tip. Rounding up is enough for taxis.
- Paying by phone: Contactless cards and phone wallets work at most terminals; Mercado Pago QR codes need a local account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- No arrival card or reciprocity fee for most visitors; immigration records your entry electronically.
- Some visa-required nationals holding a valid US visa can apply online for an electronic travel authorization (AVE).
- Extend your stay at a Migraciones office before it expires; overstays are fined at exit.
Emergency numbers
Police 911 · Ambulance 107 · Fire 100
Plugs
Type C, I · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Personal, Claro and Movistar sell cheap prepaid chips in their shops with a passport; activation can be fiddly, so international eSIMs are easier. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Argentina
Going to Buenos Aires solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.