Your First 48 Hours in Buenos Aires: Arrival Guide
Key Facts
—Cover the essentials. Your first 48 hours in Buenos Aires center on money, a SUBE transport card, a local SIM, safe transport and your documents.
—Bring US dollars. Argentina’s ‘blue dollar’ means clean US-dollar cash, changed via Western Union or a reputable cueva, often stretches far further than the official rate.
—Get a SUBE card. The SUBE card pays for the Subte, buses and trains; buy and load it at kiosks and stations.
—Get connected. Buy a prepaid SIM from Claro, Movistar or Personal with your passport.
—Move safely. Use Cabify or Uber, or official radio taxis; from Ezeiza take an authorised transfer rather than a tout.
Your First 48 Hours in Buenos Aires: The Priorities
Your first 48 hours in Buenos Aires are about getting money right, sorting transport, connecting your phone and reaching your accommodation safely. The city is welcoming and walkable, so once those are done you can relax.
Photograph your passport and entry stamp and keep copies in the cloud.
Money: the Blue Dollar and How to Pay
Argentina runs parallel exchange rates. The unofficial ‘blue dollar’ is well above the official rate, so many visitors bring clean US-dollar cash and change it through Western Union (often the best legal rate) or a reputable exchange.
Cards increasingly use a near-blue ‘dólar tarjeta’ rate, but cash dollars still give you the most control. Always count your pesos and use trusted exchange points.
Transport: SUBE, Taxis and Apps
The SUBE card is essential: one tap pays for the Subte (metro), city buses (colectivos) and trains at very low fares. Buy it at a kiosk or station and keep it topped up.
For door-to-door travel use Cabify or Uber, or an official radio taxi; from Ezeiza airport take an authorised remis or transfer.
SIM, Safety and Settling In
Buy a prepaid SIM from Claro, Movistar or Personal with your passport and load a data pack. Buenos Aires is generally safe by big-city standards, but keep phones and bags close on transport and in crowds.
Tap water in the city is potable; the local Spanish is Rioplatense, with ‘vos’ instead of ‘tú’, which you will pick up quickly.
Your 48-Hour Checklist
Run through this before the two days are out.
| Task | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Store and photograph documents | Backup if originals are lost |
| Change money sensibly | Blue/Western Union beats the official rate |
| Buy and load a SUBE card | Cheap Subte, bus and train travel |
| Buy a SIM with data | Maps, apps, messaging |
| Install Cabify / Uber | Safe, cashless transport |
Where to Base Yourself
For a first base, Palermo (Soho and Hollywood) is the expat and nomad heartland — leafy, full of cafés, restaurants and coworking. Recoleta, Belgrano and San Telmo each have their own character and are easy to reach by Subte.
Take a furnished short-let for the first weeks before committing. Buenos Aires leases often demand a local guarantor, so a temporary rental buys you time to arrange one.
Keep pesos in small notes for kioscos and taxis, and remember many places quietly prefer cash — so the rate at which you changed your dollars really matters.
What Comes Next
Once settled, start the bigger tasks: your DNI and CUIL and your residency.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Ezeiza airport into Buenos Aires?
Take an authorised airport transfer or remis from the official desk, or a ride-hailing app like Cabify or Uber. Avoid unofficial drivers who approach you.
What is the blue dollar?
It is Argentina’s widely-used unofficial exchange rate, typically well above the official rate. Many visitors bring US-dollar cash to benefit from it.
How should I change money?
Bring clean US-dollar cash and change it via Western Union (often the best legal rate) or a reputable exchange. Card payments use a separate, near-blue card rate.
What is a SUBE card?
It is the contactless card that pays for the Subte, buses and trains in Buenos Aires. Buy and top it up at kiosks and stations.
Where do I buy a SIM?
From Claro, Movistar or Personal shops, or kiosks, with your passport. Ask for a prepaid SIM with a data package.
Is Buenos Aires safe at night?
It is generally safe by big-city standards. Use registered transport at night and keep an eye on phones and bags in crowds and on the Subte.
Next in the series
- 02 — Your DNI and CUIL
- 03 — Residency in Argentina: Visas Explained
- 05 — Open a Bank Account in Argentina
Read More from The Rio Times