THE CITY

Buenos Aires is a singular, open and integrating destination that allows the visitor not only to view the city but also to live an exceptional urban adventure. Because Buenos Aires combines varied experiences and this variety may suit all tastes – Bue is really close to any visitor.

Location
The City of Buenos Aires is the capital of the Argentine Republic and is located in the southern hemisphere, latitude 34º 36? and longitude 58º 26?. The city extends on a plain and has 202 square kilometers (78.3 sq miles). Approximately 3 million people live in this city. Including the metropolitan area, the total population of Buenos Aires is above ten millions, making it one of the 10 most populated urban centers in the world.

Climate

Weather
The climate of Buenos Aires is mild all year round. The mean annual temperature is 18º C (64.4º F), making extremely hot and cold days very infrequent. Thus, visitors can enjoy walking around the city in any season.

July is the coldest month. Although frosts are rare, a woollen coat, a jacket or an overcoat and a scarf will be required when going out. In winter, cold is moderate during the day, but temperature considerably drops at night.

In summer, the weather is hot and humid. Mornings are warm and during midday and the first hours of the afternoon, the temperature rises. At night, temperature goes down slightly, so people may wear light clothes; coats are not needed.

Rains are more frequent in autumn and spring (from March to June and from September to December, respectively). They are mild or last a short time, thus activities are not hampered and people usually go out with an umbrella or a raincoat.

In the sunny days of autumn and spring, mornings are slightly cold; the temperature rises at midday and drops again at night.

Customs

Buenos Aires has always been an open-door city. Its inhabitants are called porteños, which makes reference to the fact that the city is a port. The inhabitant of the province of Buenos Aires is called bonaerense.
Porteños are warm and hospitable: they usually invite tourists for lunch or dinner at their homes and prepare typical food.
The characteristic infusion is the mate. It is prepared by pouring warm water into a gourd, also called mate that contains yerba mate. Some people add sugar, but most prefer "un amargo" (a mate without sugar).

Language

The official language is Spanish. Something to note is the use of vos (you) instead of the Spanish tú for informal treatment, and the use of che to address a person.
"che": this expression is used to attract a person's attention and allows addressing someone without using his or her name: Che, ¿me podés decir la hora? (Che, could you tell me what time is it?). It expresses familiarity.
The porteños easily understand persons who speak Italian and Portuguese. Most people involved in tourist activities speak English.

Sanitary info

Sanitary information
Vaccination is neither obligatory nor necessary to visit Buenos Aires since the city is safe from the sanitary viewpoint. The public water supply is reliable.
Public hospitals (available for tourists)offer a 24-hour emergency service, without charge. Argentine physicians are considered excellent professionals worldwide.The ambulance emergency service (SAME) is also for free.

Safety
Buenos Aires is a safe city, but as in any other big city in the world, the tourist should take some precautions. For example, avoid leaving your purse or bag hanging from chairs in public places, as well as walking at night along poorly lit areas.

Tourist Ombudsman

If, during your visit, suffer some kind of abuse or discrimination, communicate whit the Tourist Ombudsman, phone number: 4302 7816.
To contact personally, can go to Ave. Pedro de Mendoza 1835 ("Benito Quinquela Martin" Museum) in the neighborhood of La Boca. From Monday to Sunday, from 10 AM to 6 PM. Mail: turista@defensoria.org.ar

Tourist Police Station
This police station headquarters receives any formal complaints from tourists in cases of offenses, thefts, petty steal, losses, whereabouts and failed meetings. It also works on crime prevention. You can here also receive help in the case of extraordinary procedures before embassies or consulates.
You will get information from people speaking in English, Italian, French, Portuguese, Ukrainian and Japanese. Address: Avenida Corrientes 436
 telephone: 0800 999 5000 /  4346 5748 / Mail: turista@policiafederal.gov.ar

Useful data

Tourist season
You may visit the city all the year round. January (summer) is the most tranquil month since many residents are on vacation, but the cultural offer is still abundant and varied.
If you stay for several days, you may combine city tours with visits to places around the city such as the Delta (of the Paraná river), estancias (ranch houses), or Martín García island.

Holidays
Banks, businesses and some shops close on holidays, but most cinemas and theaters are open. Generally, companies offering city tours and excursions do not suspend their services. If a holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday or between Tuesday and Friday, it is generally transferred to the next or previous Monday.

Hours
The time zone corresponds to GMT-3 and currently no change is made in the summer months. Activity in Buenos Aires starts in the first hours of the day and extends until late at night. This city has lost the habit of "siesta" a nap after midday -, which is still the custom in the interior of the country.
Shops
Shops are open Monday through Fridays, from 9 am to 8 pm, and Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm; however, shops located in important avenues are open on Saturday afternoon. In shopping centers, hours usually extend until 10 pm, including Saturdays and Sundays.

Banks
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.

hours of meals
The hours in which porteños have their four meals are variable, since this is accommodated according to their activities.
Breakfast is served between 7 and 10 in the morning. In coffee houses and confiterías (patisseries), it is possible to find special offers for the typical coffee and milk with medialunas (croissants), both for breakfast and merienda (tea) time.

Currency
The Argentine currency is the peso ($). There are $ 100, $ 50, $ 20, $ 10, $ 5 and $ 2 notes, and 1, 0.50, 0.25, 0.10 and 0.05 cent coins.
The U.S. dollar is the most common foreign currency. Banks and casas de cambio (currency exchange offices), where you must present your passport, exchange foreign currency. Shops accept credit cards and dollars.

Rate of exchange
The exchange rate in Argentina is convenient for the foreign tourist. The main banking area is located in the so-called "city". This area comprises the first five blocks (numbered 100 to 500) of San Martín, Reconquista, 25 de Mayo, Sarmiento, Presidente Juan Domingo Perón and Mitre streets.
The U.S. dollar is accepted in most shops, but it is convenient to exchange them for pesos in casas de cambio or banks.

Electricity

Electric power in Argentina is 220 volt, 50-cycle alternating current.
Power outlets have 2 cylindrical holes or 2 flat holes with ground connection. It is convenient to bring an adaptor for these outlets to use your electric devices without problems.