Data for the visitor

Here is some useful information for the visitor.

Language: Spanish is the official language but in Buenos Aires people use the "vos" instead of the "tu" as in Spain and the rest of Latin America. Porteños also use a lot the modism "che" when trying to catch a friend's attention. Che was the word given by the indians to the white people.
Money: The Argentine currency is the Peso ($) with bills of 100 - 50 - 20 - 10 - 5 pesos and coins of 1 peso and 50 - 25 -10 -5 cents.
American Dollars are also widely accepted in many places as shops, entertainment centers and supermarkets.
Credit Cards: Credit cards are widely accepted specially Visa and American Express. The central offices of American Express are right across the street of Plaza San Martin.
You will have to present an ID with your card when puchasing.
ATM: There are ATM machines all over the city in banks, gas stations, shopping centers and supermarkets.
Currency exchange: You can change foreign money to pesos in banks or exchange offices. I recomend changing only a small amount at the airport because they never have a good exchange rate.
Remember to have your passport with you for they will surely ask for it.
Banking hours: Banks open at 10 am and close at 3 pm (some banks extend their closing time to 4 pm). Cash extractions and other transactions may be made in ATMs, 24 hours a day.
For exchange rate you can check in http://www.dolarhoy.com/
Money Transfer: You can send or receive money from other countries using the services of Western Union (look for the nearest office in http://www.westernunion.com/ there are plenty of them in the city.) They only charge a comission for sending money. Money Gram also works through Banco Itau, and have a few offices in the city http://www.moneygram.com/.
Tipping: Tipping is a regular custom in Buenos Aires in bars, restaurants, hotels and delivery services. Tipping is around the 10% of the ticket. Taxi drivers are not expected to receive any tips, but they are welcome.

Comunications:
There are very few public phones in the streets, usually people use mobile phones. Argentina has more than 39 million cellular phones being used! All though the rates a very high compared to the USA or Europe. You can buy a prepaid cellular phone for as low as $120. The rate for the minute will be somewhere around 60 cents. Cards are sold in "Maxikioscos" and phone centers called "Locutorios".
The "locutorios" are excellent places they offer cabins with phones where you can sit and make all the phone calls you need, then pay your bill when you leave. Many of them also have computers with Internet. They charge around 2 pesos for the use of the computer for 1 hour.

Health: The most important health rule when you travel is to take care of what you eat and drink. Minor stomach upsets are the most frequently problem for travelers. The tap water of Buenos Aires is very safe for drinking and food is OK. Public Hospitals in Buenos Aires will attend all pacients for free. Generally doctors and nurses are excellent professionals, very well prepared.
First class private medicine is quite unexpensive compared to other contries, that is why so many people (argentines living abroad and foreigners) come to Buenos Aires for different medical procedures or to go to the dentist.
Dengue Fever: At this moment the dengue fever, a mosquito-spread disease is present in Argentina, specially in the north of the country. There is no prophylactic, but the best way to prevent it is to avoid any mosquito bite.

Working hours:
Shops :9-8 PM monday to friday - Saturday 9-12PM
Restaurants: 10AM to 12 PM
Malls: 10 AM to 10 PM
Supermarkets: 9 AM to 9 PM
Banks: 10AM to 3 PM
Bars: 7 PM to 3AM
Discos: 1AM to 6AM

Meals: Breakfast: 6AM to 10AM
Lunch: 12 to 2PM
Tea Time: 5PM to 7 PM
Dinner: 8:30PM to 12 PM

Transportation:
Taxis: They are all black with yellow on top. They are generally a safe way to move around. The taxi meter shows the fare for the trip. Just pay what the meter says, no more. You can tip the driver if you want but it is not mandatory!
Buses: They are commonly known as "Colectivos" and you can go everywhere in the city if you choose the right one! Bus stops generally have a sign with the route but if not a good thing is to is to ask in a newspaper kiosk or a policeman, they usually know which one to pick. The lowest fare is $1,10 and must be paid in coins. You tell the driver where you are going and he will display in the ticket machine the amount for you to introduce. For long distance trips there is the bus Terminal in the Retiro Area.
Subways: Buenos Aires has 6 metro lines. The "A" line is the oldest inagurated in 1913. Probably the oldest metro wagons still working in the whole world. All made of wood is like moving back to the begining of the 20th. century. The walls of hallways and statiosn of line "A" are decorated with painted tiles. If you have a chance make a trip in this line but avoid the rush hours, because they are crowded, but it is surely the fastest way to move around. The fare is $1,10 the trip and works from 5 AM to 10:30 PM.

Security: Buenos Aires is a safe city but you must take some precautions as in any big city in the world. Keep a constant eye in your bag and pockets. Don't use expensive jewelry and watches while walking in the streets, and if you do , cover them with your clothes. Try not to carry to much money with you, just what you need for the day or use credit card.
Try to avoid lonely places, specially at night.
When arriving in the airport, don´t take taxis offered as you pass by. Go to any of the kiosks offering tranfer services.
Don´t change currency in the streets, even though the deals are relly good. Go to a bank or exchange office.
There is a tourist Police Station located in Corrientes 436. Toll Free: 0-800-999-5000
Tourist assistance line toll free: 0-800-999-2838 Here you can report any problem you might have.