FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Buenos Aires

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Buenos Aires each year. The main ones are listed below.

A number of remembrance ceremonies and demonstrations are held each year to commemorate Argentina's occupation of the Falkland Islands (named the Islas Malvinas by Spain), which began on this day in 1982, and the ensuing conflict with the United Kingdom.

There are many joyful celebrations of the Resurrection throughout Buenos Aires and a large number of baptisms are held on Easter Weekend. As a strongly Catholic country, Argentina observes this week as the most sacred in the calendar.

Commemorates the May Revolution, which brought the first autonomous Argentinean government into power on this day in 1810. This historical event is the focus of many festivities: military parades, official ceremonies, live music and dance shows.

Commemorates Argentina's formal declaration of Independence on this day in 1816. Highlights include official ceremonies, military parades and fireworks.

Holiday that celebrates the discovery of the South American continent by Columbus in 1492. The event is also an opportunity for the inhabitants of Buenos Aires to praise the many cultures coexisting within the country. Traditional parades, singing and dancing fill the streets of the Argentinean capital each year on this day.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Buenos Aires

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	20/68	30/86	119/4.7	Not the best period to go
February	19/66	29/84	117/4.6	Not the best period to go
March	17/63	26/79	134/5.3	Not the best period to go
April	13/55	23/73	97/3.8	Good period to go
May	10/50	19/66	73/2.9	Good period to go
June	8/46	16/61	62/2.4	Good period to go
July	8/46	15/59	66/2.6	Good period to go
August	8/46	17/63	69/2.7	Good period to go
September	10/50	19/66	73/2.9	Not the best period to go
October	13/55	22/72	119/4.7	Not the best period to go
November	15/59	25/77	108/4.3	Not the best period to go
December	18/64	28/82	105/4.1	Not the best period to go

Ezeiza Ministro-Pistarini International Airport

The International Airport is located about 22 kilometres (14 miles) south-west of the city centre in the city of Ezeiza.

• Three terminals:
  • Terminal A
  • Terminal B (Air France)
  • Terminal C (Air France)

• By car
  • Accessible via General Pablo Ricchieri motorway.
  • There are two large parking facilities at the airport: a parking garage linked to Terminal A and a parking lot adjacent to Terminals B and C (ARS 13 per hour and ARS 78 per day).
  • Several car rental companies have counters in the arrivals hall of Terminal A.
• By bus
  • Bus 8 connects the airport with central Buenos Aires, leaving from a stop just outside the arrivals hall at Terminal B. The trip takes about 2 hours and the fare is ARS 10.
• By shuttle bus
  •  Shuttle buses connect the airport with central Buenos Aires. The fare is ARS 100 each way.
• By taxi
  • Taxis are available at the ranks outside the terminals. The trip to central Buenos Aires takes about 40 minutes and costs around ARS 350.

• Services: shops, bars and restaurants, free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +54 (0)11 5480 2500
• Website: http://www.aa2000.com.ar

GETTING AROUND Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires offers a range of safe, efficient and fast public transport options to make getting around the city a breeze. Bus, underground, train or taxi – the choice is yours!

By bus

City buses, called “colectivos”, are the most popular mode of transport in Buenos Aires. With a stop about every eighth of a mile, the city's bus network is particularly extensive and efficient. Some of these stops are indicated only by a small sign posted on a tree showing the bus number. Payment is made aboard the bus. A single ticket costs ARS 2.50.

By underground

The metro system, locally known as “Subte”, is very convenient but only covers a portion of the city. It is certainly the easiest way to get around if you are not venturing beyond the city centre. Most trains run from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The network counts 6 lines (A, B, C, D, E and H). Tickets may be purchased singly or as passes valid for multiple trips. One way costs ARS 5.00 and a Subtepass containing 20 rides is available for ARS 85.00.

By commuter rail

Trains can be useful when you need to cross the city. The stations to remember are Retiro for northbound travel and Constitución to head south, while both Frederico Lacroze and Once are for destinations to the west. A single ticket costs about ARS 10.

By taxi

Taxis are a relatively inexpensive way to get around Buenos Aires. They seem to be everywhere, which is only logical with a fleet of 38,500 cabs! Taxis are black with a yellow roof and a short trip in the city centre costs between ARS 20 and ARS 30. This includes the initial charge, which is about ARS 15.

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Buenos Aires, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.

The city's official tourism authority offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).

• Website: http://www.turismo.buenosaires.gob.ar

At various locations throughout the city, Buenos Aires Ciudad operates tourist information centres where you can obtain information and recommendations for visiting the city and its surrounding area. The main addresses for these centres are listed below.

• CIT Florida: Florida 50
• CIT Plaza Roberto Arlt: Esmeralda 26
• CIT Plaza San Martín: Corner of Florida and Marcelo T. de Alvear
• CIT Puerto Madero: Juana Manuela Gorriti (Dique 4) 200
• CIT Recoleta: Av. Quintana 596
• CIT Retiro: Bus Station, Office 83

Currency and Exchange Rates

The official currency in Argentina is the Argentinean Peso (ARS).

1 € = 34,57 $

1 $ = 0,03 €

The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.

Medical information

See your doctor before you travel.

Hospital stays are very expensive in Buenos Aires and foreign visitors are required to pay for any medical treatment in full before being seen by any medical staff. It is therefore recommended to take out insurance before you leave home covering any possible expenses for hospital stays in Argentina.

Booster doses of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio vaccines are mandatory for visitors to Argentina.
In addition, the following vaccines are recommended :

• hepatitis A and typhoid

For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:

• Address: 38 Quai de Jemmapes 75010 Paris
• Website: (http://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr)
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment: :
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

Tap water is safe to drink in Buenos Aires.

Administrative formalities

For stays of less than three months, citizens and nationals of a large number of countries do not need a visa to enter Argentina. For further information, visit the website of the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.mrecic.gov.ar/asistencia-consular/guia-práctica-para-el-turista-argentino-en-el-exterior

Useful addresses

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Buenos Aires, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.

Essential phrases

Good to know

00 54

+ phone number

-5 : 00
of time difference with
Amsterdam

Banks
Usually open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Government Offices
Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

220 V / 50 Hz

Tipping 
In Buenos Aires, leaving a tip, which is called a “propina”, is not required but always appreciated. In bars and restaurants, it is customary to tip between 10 and 15 percent. It is also normal practice to give hotel bellboys a few pesos.