10 Things You Must Know: Buenos Aires

Puerto Madero | photo by Maritè Toledo, Flickr

Buenos Aires, Argentina

1. Name of city in its Native Language: Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
2. Official Language: Spanish
3. Currency: Argentine Peso $
4. Time Zone: Argentina Time (ART)
5. Closest Airport: Ministro Pistarini International Airport (also known as Ezeiza International Airport)
6. Getting Around: Taxis (metered) or remises (fixed rates); buses (known as "colectivos"); the underground/subway system: Subte. Buenos Aires is also a very walkable city.
7. Climate: Humid summers and mild winters - but remember that it's the southern hemisphere, so the hottest month is January (more detail).
8. Tipping: 10% to restaurant waiters; 10 pesos for hotel porters; round up for taxi drivers, 10% for car services/full-day drivers.
9. Entry Requirements: Passport required. Tourist Visa is not required for stays of 90 days or less. Prior to arrival, US, Canadian, and Australian citizens must pay a $160 reciprocity fee; print your receipt and present to the immigration officer in Argentina (this fee is valid for multiple trips spanning 10 years).
10. Culture Tip: At bus stops, remember to queue while waiting for the bus and respect the order of the queue when boarding.

What did we miss? What kind of essential information do you look up while planning a trip? Tell us in the comments!