Buenos Aires, Argentina Itinerary May 2024

 Buenos Aires, Argentina Itinerary May 2024

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

ITINERARY: FOR HI RESOLUTION ITINERARY AND LINKS TO TOURS WE TOOK CLICK HERE: Buenos Aires Itinerary

We combined this trip with Iguazu Falls (Argentina & Brazil side) Itinerary and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Itinerary

Days 1 - 4 Buenos Aires Itinerary

✈️ Getting There & Around 

We flew Delta Airlines from the USA into Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) — super smooth experience and customs was a breeze! 🙌 Vegetarian/vegan meals on Delta were surprisingly good (yay for that 🌱).

Buenos Aires has two airports:

  • EZE – for international flights 🌍

  • AEP (Jorge Newberry) – for domestic flights 🛫

    • When we flew to Iguazu Falls, we used Aerolíneas Argentinas — Argentina’s national airline into flight to Puerto Iguazu, Argentina (IGR Airport) . Clean planes, friendly staff, and easy airport navigation. 👏
    • Luggage: No issues with carry-on luggage. Did not weigh or measure carry-on bags. OK to take up to 1L of water through if not traveling back to USA
      • 🙌Fun Fact: Aerolíneas Argentinas is the largest and national airline in Argentina. Extremely friendly and clean aircrafts.
TRANSPORTATION: Uber: We used Uber everywhere we went. Uber was easy and safe - make sure to pick credit card for payment. 
  • 💡TIP: Be very cautious when walking & crossing streets. Drivers do not care about pedestrians 

🏨 Where We Stayed

We stayed at the Intercontinental Buenos Aires in the Monserrat neighborhood. 📍 It was the perfect base — close to San Telmo Market, Casa Rosada, and Palacio Barolo.

If you want a trendier vibe, locals recommend staying in Palermo Soho or Palermo Hollywood — full of cute cafés, boutique shops, and nightlife. ☕🌙

☀️ Weather in May

May in Buenos Aires = crisp, cozy fall vibes 🍂. Temperatures ranged from 45–65°F (7–18°C). Think jeans, sneakers, a sweater + jacket, and don’t forget a scarf! 

Beautiful weather in Buenos Aires, Argentina

💵 Money & Payments

CASH

  • Argentina’s currency situation can be… confusing. 😅 There are two main exchange rates:
    • 1️⃣ The official rate 💰 (government set)
    • 2️⃣ The blue rate 💸 (market-driven, often better value)
  • We were unable to get Argentine Pesos (arg) from Bank of America before leaving for our trip due to this instability in currency
  • We brought crisp $100 USD bills (make sure they’re perfectly new — folded bills might get rejected 😬). 
  • NOTE: the Official and blue rate when we went in May 2024 were comparable. We got 1050 ARS for $1 USD at Moreno Express - Redcoin Western Union vs 988 ARS for $1 USD for visa/mastercard credit card 
  • Cash was accepted everywhere except Recoleta Cemetery (Credit card only). Some restaurants will ONLY accept Argentine Pesos. 
CREDIT CARD 
  • 💳 Most places take cards, but some smaller spots and markets prefer cash. Always choose to pay in ARS (pesos) for the best rate.
  • Only use credit cards with 0% foreign transaction fee
  • TIP:  Charge in ARS instead of USD for a better conversion rate 

💬 Safety & Local Tips

  • Buenos Aires felt safe overall, especially in tourist areas. Still:
    • 🔒 Keep valuables close (belt bag or crossbody)
    • 🚫 Politely decline if strangers offer candy or try to distract you
    • 🚗 Use Uber at night
    • 📞 Emergency: 911 (Ambulance: 107)

🧳 Packing Essentials

  • Here’s what we recommend:
    • 🎟️ Passport + color copies
    • ⚡ Argentina-specific plug adapter
    • 👟 Comfy walking shoes
    • Reusable water bottle - we used bottled water & filled up our reusable water bottles as a precaution 
    • 💊 Meds (pain relief, stomach stuff, etc.)
    • 🦟 Bug spray (especially if you’re heading to Iguazu!)

Argentina specific converter from Amazon 

💬COMMUNICATION: 

  • Google Translate & WhatsApp for easy communication
    • Download WhatsApp App: This is the main way we communicated with any shuttle/tour/hotels etc. 
    • If trying to negotiate or confirm payment amount, use the calculator app on your phone to show the number
  • 💡 Download Google Maps offline before your trip — it’s a lifesaver when Wi-Fi drops! 📶

💡RANDOM TIPS: 

  • In bathrooms, grab toilet paper before entering the stalls and throw into the trashcan, not the toilet. Sometimes, you  have to pay in ARS to use a bathroom and they will hand you toilet paper. 
  • If possible, avoid visiting any major tourist attraction on weekends / holidays due to heavy crowds. Morning & weekdays are much better to visit. 
    • On Sundays - very few tours run & less restaurants are open 
  • Time Zone: Argentina is one hour ahead of Eastern Time Zone
  • 💡Fun Fact: the signal lights turn red for stop. Then, yellow for slowly start going & then green.

🥗 Vegetarian & Vegan Eats

  • Even though Argentina is famous for meats 🥩, Buenos Aires is a total vegan/veggie heaven! 🌱💚
  • Here were our faves:
    • 🍆 Raíz – try the eggplant moussaka!
    • 🥗 Naturaleza Sabia – incredible lunch “plate of the day.”
    • 🥟 La Vegana Cantina – empandas 
    • 🍷 Seibo – elegant and delicious (but $$$).
    • ☕ Havanna Café – for coffee + alfajores (try the 70% cacao version 😋).
    • 🍨 Rapa Nui – amazing gelato.
    • 🌿 Gioia Cocina Botánica – Michelin-recommended vegan tasting menu (Must make reservations -- book early!).
  • 💡 Tipping: about 10% in pesos cash.

  • Some local Argentinian items to try: Empanadas, Alfajores (chocolate cookie), Dulce de Leche, Malbec Wine and Mate Yerba 
    • We bought Alfajores from Havana (they have locations all around with yummy coffee). Most popular one is 70% cacao 
      Havana & Ajfajores
  • Food Delivery services in Buenos Aires: PedidoYa App or Rappi App. UberEats is NOT available in Buenos Aires. 
  • Sundays: several food places were closed. Keep this in mind when planning your trip 

  • 💡NOTE: After ordering your meals at restaurants, the server will bring an "Entrada" or appetizer that you did not order. It's usually bread and sauce. This entrada is USUALLY not complimentary. We were charged for this entrada at some places. It's OK to say no thank you to the “Entrada” that's offered before your meal. Its a nominal cost, but don't need to fill up on bread before your delicious meal!

🏙️ Top Things To See & Do

Here's a breakdown by neighborhood: 

📍 Recoleta

  • Recoleta Cemetery ($8.25/pp - credit card only, buy directly there): elect to get a guided tour to understand more about the cemetery and significance 
    Recoleta Cemetery

    Recoleta Cemetery

  • El Ateneo Grand Splendid – a stunning bookstore inside an old theater 🎭📚 (so photogenic!). Go to 2nd and 3rd floor for best viewing.

El Ateneo Grand Splendid Bookstore
🎨 La Boca

Colorful houses, tango music, and street art galore! 🎨💃

La Boca: Be sure to go only during day hours. We did and highly recommend a La Boca Walking Tour  ($13,000 ARS, book online beforehand and pay via cash or credit card after completing tour) 

  • Boca Jr. Stadium
  • Caminito Street 

🛍️ San Telmo

  • San Telmo Market - Sunday is awesome because you will also see the artisan market that spans several streets. But, can visit any day. 
  • Mafalda Statue - Buenos Aires 90's famous comic strip character 
Mafalda Statue

🏛️ City Center

We did a Walking Tour of City Center (Pay-what-you-wish and sign up beforehand) and would recommend it! 

  • Plaza De Mayo: 

    • Metropolitan Cathedral 

    • Casa Rosada (Pink Government house)- changing of the guard every 2 hours from 7 am to 9 pm

    • Cabildo - free museum; second story view has best view of Plaza de Mayo

  • Avenida de Mayo

    • Palacio Barolo - inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy. Guided tours offered

  • El Obelisco - must take photo of Buenos Aires

  • Plaza Lavalle - Teatro Colon and Tribunales Courthouse 


Teatro Colon
Teatro Colon

  • Cafe Tortoni: city oldest cafe!! There was a long line to get in, but no line if you go right at 8am. The prices were very high - it was nice to go inside and see the cafe; however, we don't recommend anything there.

🌉 Puerto Madero

Modern, clean, and perfect for a sunset stroll. 🌅
Don’t miss Puente de la Mujer (“Women’s Bridge”).

  • Puente de la Mujer - "womens bridge" - rotating cantilever footbridge
Puente de la Mujer

Other suggestions (but we did not have time for): 

  • Palermo Soho / Palermo Hollywood: We did not have time to check out these neighborhoods, but was recommended to walk around here 
  • Tango show: We did not have time to see an official tango show, but we were recommended El Querandi ($50/pp show only) or Cafe de Angelitos
  • See a futball (soccer) game! Unfortunately, when we went - there were no games being played. But, we've heard this is an excellent experience!!
  • Day trip to City of Tigre
  • Visit an Estancia (Argentinian ranches in the countryside)
  • Day trip to Colonia, Uruguay

💬 Final Thoughts

Buenos Aires was everything we hoped for — charming, walkable, full of flavor, and endlessly photogenic. 📸💖 From the colorful streets of La Boca to the cozy cafés of San Telmo, it’s a city that balances European elegance with Latin American energy.

We really liked "Sol Salute" blog posts and her Facebook group called "Argentina Travel Tips"that can answer any Buenos Aires / Argentina related questions you may have! 

¡Buen viaje! ✨


Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

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