Is it safe to walk around at night?

In tourist areas like Palermo and Recoleta, it is generally safe. However, always remain aware of your surroundings, avoid flashing expensive jewelry or phones, and use registered taxis or ride-share apps at night.

Do I need to speak Spanish?

You can get by in Buenos Aires and tourist hubs with English, but learning basic phrases is polite and highly appreciated by locals.

Can I use credit cards?

While cards are widely accepted, you will get a much better 'real' value by using cash exchanged via the Blue Dollar rate.

Planning a Two-Week Trip to Argentina

Focus your two weeks on the 'Big Three' zones: Buenos Aires, Patagonia (El Calafate/El Chaltén), and the Northwest or Iguazú Falls. You must book domestic flights at least 60 days in advance to avoid massive price hikes and limited availability.

Choose your priority region. Argentina is massive. Pick either the glaciers and mountains of the South (Patagonia) or the tropical jungles and red earth of the North (Iguazú). Trying to do both properly in two weeks leads to more time in airports than on the ground.
Book domestic 'Aerolíneas Argentinas' flights. Use the airline's official site to book 'multi-city' legs. Internal distances are huge (e.g., Buenos Aires to El Calafate is a 3-hour flight). Avoid long-distance buses unless you have 20+ hours to spare per leg.
Master the 'Blue Dollar' exchange rate. Bring crisp, new 100 USD bills. Exchange them at 'cuevas' (unofficial exchange houses) or use Western Union to get the informal 'Blue' rate, which is significantly better than the official bank rate.
Adjust your internal clock. Dinner in Argentina starts at 9:00 PM. Many restaurants don't even open for dinner until 8:00 PM. Adjust your daily schedule to sleep in and stay out late, or you'll find yourself eating in empty restaurants.

Is it safe to walk around at night?: In tourist areas like Palermo and Recoleta, it is generally safe. However, always remain aware of your surroundings, avoid flashing expensive jewelry or phones, and use registered taxis or ride-share apps at night.
Do I need to speak Spanish?: You can get by in Buenos Aires and tourist hubs with English, but learning basic phrases is polite and highly appreciated by locals.
Can I use credit cards?: While cards are widely accepted, you will get a much better 'real' value by using cash exchanged via the Blue Dollar rate.