Things You Absolutely Must Know if You are Planning a Trip to Buenos Aires

Taxis are everywhere and you'll need to use them to get around. To be safe, call a radio taxi to pick you up. Or as a minimum precaution, if you are going to take a random taxi in the street, take only a radio taxi. If the taxi doesn't say "radio taxi", don't take it.

When you arrive at the airport, take an official EZE taxi or a remise (private car).

Pay the driver with small bills, not a 100 peso note. Taxi drivers have been known to try to scam tourists by switching bills for counterfeits.

More taxi safety tips here

If you need to change money, you'll need to have your passport with you. It's a legal requirement in Argentina. Reputable currency exchange centers and banks follow this rule strictly.

There are places that will change your currency without asking to see your passport but I feel it is better to change currency at a more reputable/legal establishment. Why take the chance of getting stuck with a fake bill?

Buenos Aires is a big city and there is quite a bit of crime. Wearing a Rolex or an expensive necklace will set you up as a target for robbery.

I recently came across a blog posting called How Bad is Crime in Buenos Aires that gives a good overview of the city's crime problem.

People don't rush in Buenos Aires and can spend hours in restaurants lingering over a coffee or a sandwich. Waiters won't disturb you while you are eating and they won't bring you the bill unless you ask for it. Wave your arm to get their attention and ask for "la cuenta".

Buses can be a cheap and convenient way to get around the city. But it is sometimes difficult to figure out the routes. You can buy a little book called the "Guia T" which shows all bus routes and will help you figure out how to get where you want to go. The guide costs only a few pesos and is sold at magazine stands and near subway stations.

Petty crimes and robberies are often committed by "motochorros". These are thieves on motorcycles. They usually ride two on the bike and use a relatively powerful motorcycle for quick getaways. Typical crimes would be snatching a purse or cellphone or wrestling a watch away from the wearer.

Many tourists, such as Canadians and Americans, don't need a visa to enter Argentina. When you arrive at the airport the immigration officer will simply stamp your passport and you can stay in the country for up to 90 days as a tourist. If you stay longer than 90 days, you may be required to pay a fine when you leave. IMPORTANT: Note that tourists from some countries DO need a visa to enter Argentina. Check with the Argentine consulate in your country to see if whether you need a visa or not.

The water in Buenos Aires is safe to drink but most people drink bottled water just to be safe. If you do tend to get an upset stomach when you travel, bring medication with you. Some popular stomach medications such as Pepto Bismol are not sold in Argentina, although the local pharmacist can often recommend a similar product.

Many tourists rent furnished apartments instead of staying in hotels. There are hundreds and hundreds of apartments in Buenos Aires that are set up as tourist rentals. Most are located in the main tourist zones of Palermo, Recoleta and San Telmo. Many are owned by foreigners.

Apartments are particularly economical if you are staying for at least a week or two.

Here's more information on renting Buenos Aires apartments.

It helps to speak a little Spanish if you plan to visit Argentina. Here's a site where you can study Spanish words and slang. And here's a list of the best Spanish courses you can download to your computer.