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Currency and Exchange Rates
The current local exchange rate is roughly 14.5 ARS for 1 USD, so it is better to bring all the cash (in USD or EURO) you might need and exchange it at a bank/money exchange shop once you arrive. Some shops, hotels, restaurants will accept USD, but most will not. Major credit cards are widely accepted, but there are exceptions.
Airports
Jorge Newbery Airfield (AEP) is located in the Palermo neighbourhood, 2 km (1.2 mi) northeast of downtown Buenos Aires, Argentina. It’s the main hub for domestic flights from Buenos Aires as well as to Uruguay, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay. It’s roughly a 30 minute taxi ride (1 hour by public transit) to the conference venue, approximately 9 km.
Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) is located in the Ezeiza Partido 22 kilometres (14 mi) south-southwest of Buenos Aires and it is the country’s largest international airport. It’s approximately a 40 minute taxi ride from the airport to the conference venue.
Public Transportation
Buenos Aires has a large network of buses, trains and subways which you can use to travel around the city. Mapa Interactivo is an online, interactive map (also available as a smartphone app) to help you plan your journeys throughout the city, either by walking, biking, by car or public transit.
The SUBE card is used for all public transit (except taxis) and can be purchased at lots of shops/kiosks/post offices around the city (look for the SUBE logo). Simply bring ID (passport), fill out the forms, pay the fee and load the card. SUBE cards cost $25 ARS (~$1.50 USD) and about $6 ARS (~$0.40 USD) per bus ride. (Click for more info)
To use a SUBE card:
- Bus: tell the bus driver where you want to go and hold the card up to the card reader until it beeps and a green light is shown.
- Subway: hold the card on the card reader at the turnstyle until it beeps and a green light is shown.
- Train: use your card on the card reader while boarding your train and again when you exit the train. It calculates your fare depending on the distance travelled.
Taxis (black and yellow cars) are easily flagged down from the passenger’s side of the street. “Libre” signs in the upper left-hand corner of the windshield indicate a taxi is free and available for transport. Radio Taxis are the best kind of taxis; they register all drivers and ride thereby limiting scams, and you can plan your trip in advance. Remis are also an option. They are private, unmarked, company cars and they charge based on distance only (not time). Your hotel can arrange a remis for you. This website can help you to avoid potential taxi scams.
Venue
The conference venue, the Bernardino Rivadavia Natural Sciences Museum (Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”), is located at Acceso A Ángel Gallardo 490, in the Caballito barrio (neighborhood). It is on the north-west side of Parque Centenario, a large circular park, which is a great reference point on any map.
Life in Buenos Aries
- Plan your day around food! – Lunch, coffee & cake and evening meals are all a must – and forget the diet, the food is just too good.
- Stay out late dancing and get up late – the city does not wake until noon!
- Visit on a weekend – the street markets are a real must at El Caminito, San Telmo and Plaza Francia facing the Cementerio de la Recoleta.
- Take a private tour on a Sunday morning – the city will be asleep so you will have it to yourself. But finish it at La Boca about lunch time when everyone is up and about.
- On Mondays, everywhere is closed until late afternoon – so use this day to take a trip out of the city, to the Tigre Delta for example.
- Take a taxi everywhere – they are plentiful and cheap.
- Take US $1 bills with you for tipping – they are preferred much more than ARS.
- Don’t stress out about what to wear for dinner – everyone is really casual and happy to take you exactly as you are.
Health and Wellness
- Be a smart traveller. Buenos Aires is very tourist friendly, however avoid carrying large quantities of cash and be discrete with valuables.
- Although we will be coming in the fall, take precautions against insect bites by using insect repellants and full length clothes (weather permitting of course!)
- Check the weather before you pack! It can mean the difference between needing a jacket and looking for air conditioning.
- In case of a medical emergency, dial 107. The closest medical center to the conference center is Hospital Durand at Avenida Díaz Vélez 5044,
Tours
A good way to get a feeling of the city is taking a bus tour, practically if you have a limited amount of time. This tour takes about 3 hours, offering a glimpse of its history, culture and traditions. It includes some of the most cospicuous sites, such as the Casa Rosada, the National Congress, the Colon Theatre, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Usina del Arte, Caminito, La Boca, Recoleta, San Telmo, Puerto Madero, and many others. Hop-on-Hop-off tours are great option too. Longer tours include boat rides in the Río de la Plata estuary and the delta of the Paraná River, food and wine tours, nightlife tours, tango shows, bike tours, walking tours. Check out this website for more information.
Useful Spanish phrases
Hello——————————————Hola (oh lah)
Do you speak English? ——————–Habla Inglés? (ahblah een glays)
I don’t speak Spanish———————-No hablo español
I can’t speak Spanish———————-No puedo hablar español
Can we speak English please?———-Se puede hablar Inglés por favor?
Please—————————————-Por favor (por fah vohr)
Thank you———————————-Gracias (grah cee ahs)
You’re welcome—————————De nada (deh NA-da)
What is your name?———————-Como se llama usted (KOH-moh seh YA-mah oos-TEHD)
How are you?——————————Como estás (KOH-moh ehs-TA)
Good morning—————————–Buenos días (bway nos dee ahs)
Goodnight———————————-Buenas noches (bway nahs noh chayss)
Goodbye————————————Adiós (ah-dee-OHS)
See you tomorrow————————Te veo mañana
See you later——————————-Nos vemos más tarde
————————————————Hasta la vista
————————————————Hasta luego (AHS-ta looEH-go)
Where is the washroom?—————-Donde esta el baño (dohn days tah ell baano)
I would like a taxi————————-Quisiera un taxi
Which bus goes to downtown?———Cuál autobús va al centro?
I want to get off here, please.————Aquí me bajo, por favor.
I’m lost.————————————–Estoy perdido.
I would like to buy a local map.——–Quisiera comprar un mapa de la zona.
It is what it is?——————————Es lo que est
(sounds like spelling the word socks S-O-C-K-S)
I’m hungry. ———————————Tengo hambre (TEHN-go AHM-breh)
I’m thirsty.———————————–Tengo sed (TEHN-go SAY-dh)
A glass of orange juice, please.———-Un vaso de jugo de naranja, por favor.
Small coffee with milk, please.———-Un café chico, con leche, por favor.
Do you have a menu in English?——–Tiene un menú en ingles
Could you help me, please.—————Me podría ayudar, por favor
Where is the nearest hospital?———–Dónde está el hospital más cercano
More common Spanish phrases for travellers can be found online at the following websites:
http://www.learnspanishfeelgood.com/travelspanish/
http://www.debbiescaribbeanresortreviews.com/spanish.html