ByT Argentina - Buenos Aires Guide

GENERAL INFORMATION

The city of Buenos Aires is characterized as having a strong European influence, which is reflected not only in the city´s architectural design (very clearly European), but also in the composition of the population, the majority being of Spanish or Italian descent. Buenos Aires is a great metropolis (population around 11 million) characterized by the presence of the river and the port. The city has intense cultural and nightlife, and is a large commercial and business center.

Climate: The four seasons are clearly distinguished in Buenos Aires. In the winter season (June to September), the temperatures do not usually go below 0º C, maintaining an average of 8-10º C. In the summer months (December to March), the temperature is rarely higher than 32º C, maintaining an average of 27º C. The spring (September to December) and fall (March to June) usually have average temperatures between 18° C and 20° C.

Currency: The legal currency is the Peso ($), which maintains a 1 to 1 exchange rate with the United States Dollar: $1 = US $1.

Transportation: Buenos Aires has a very complete network of public transportation throughout the city, composed of buses, subway and trains. The city buses in Buenos Aires are called “colectivos,” and the common urban fare is AR$0.75. The ticket or “boleto” is paid with coins, which is best to have ready before getting on the bus. The subway is called “Subte.” The token (called a “cospel”) for one ride on the subway costs AR$0.70. Multi-trip passes are not sold.
Taxis are easily identified by their color—black with a yellow roof. The minimum cab fare is AR$1.80, and the end fare is exactly that which is shown on the fare counter. Tipping is not expected unless the passenger is traveling with luggage.
Ferry service is often used by Argentine and Uruguayan passengers. Daily services run between Buenos Aires and Uruguay (the most common destinations are Colonia, Montevideo, Piriápolis and Punta del Este).

Airports: The Jorge Newberry Aeroparque is the domestic airport used for domestic flights. The Ezeiza or Ministro Pistarini airport is located forty minutes outside of the city and is used for international flights. There are two transportation options for transfers between the airport and the city of Buenos Aires. Passengers can take a bus which departs every half hour and costs about AR$22, or they can opt for a taxi which costs around AR$60 to AR$65, depending on the advertised rates at the time of the reservation. It is safest and most economical to reserve a taxi with one of the businesses at the airport as opposed to independent taxi drivers. ByTArgentina.com would be happy to arrange taxi reservations for our guests who reserve lodging accommodations with us.

Ezeiza “Ministro Pistarini” International Airport
Tel: 5480-6111

Jorge Newberry Metropolitan Airport
Tel: 4576-5110/5111

Electricity: The electric current operates on 220 V.

Meals: Although there is no exact meal schedule in Argentina, breakfast is usually taken during the mid-morning hours, and is small, usually consisting of coffee or tea, possibly accompanied by toast or pastries. The lunch hour starts around noon or 1:00pm, and is generally a large meal. Dinner starts at about 9:00pm at the earliest, and oftentimes much later, and is also a large meal.

Kiosks: Dispersed throughout the city, you will find hundreds of “kioskos.” These are small shops which sell cigarettes, snacks, and beverages, as well as selected useful products such as aspirin, personal hygiene products, etc. Here you will be able to find these useful products, conveniently available to purchase on the run. The majority of the kiosks remain open late into the night, and some are open 24 hours.

Telephone Centers: Small public telephone centers are found throughout the city and are called “Locutorios” or “Telecentros.” These businesses offer services including use of phone booths from which you can make local or international calls, fax service, oftentimes mail services, and in some cases internet access, generally at a minimum cost of about $3.00 per hour.

Telephone Cards: Visitors can obtain pre-paid telephone cards which can be used to pay for calls made from public phones found in Telecentros, Locutorios, and kiosks, or pay phones located in the streets.

Internet Access: In addition to the option of Telecentros and Locutorios mentioned above, there are also several cyber-cafes in Buenos Aires, whose prices generally range from $3 to $5 per hour.

Laundry Services: There are several laundromats located throughout the city. Most of these offer self service washing machines as well as “valet service,” which costs around $6 per large bag of clothing. With this service, you can leave your laundry, and the “lavandería” will wash, dry, and fold it for you. You can pass by later that day or when it is convenient for you to pick up your laundry. Many lavanderías can also deliver your laundry to the place where you are staying.

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