Cruises from Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires has a thriving culinary scene, influenced by waves of immigration from Italy, Spain, and France, as well as creole and Andean dishes. Meat eaters will be in heaven; every visitor should try an asado, or Argentine BBQ, with different cuts of meat and a range of spicy condiments. You’ll find pizza on offer everywhere, a legacy of Italian immigrants, and empanadas stuffed with ham and cheese, meat, chicken, or vegetables.

Porteños, as the locals are known, are famed for their love of sweet dishes. Look out for dulce de leche on everything and sugary churros dipped in molten hot chocolate. Don’t miss those famous Argentine wines, many of which have won global awards. You’ll also come across mate—pronounced mah-tay—a bitter herbal drink consumed from a gourd and shared with friends, but many visitors find this to be an acquired taste.

The original inhabitants of what’s now Buenos Aires were hunter-gatherer tribes who settled along the River Plate. The actual city was founded twice. The first time was in 1536 by Spanish explorer Pedro de Mendoza, who originally named the city Puerto Nuestra Señora Santa Maria del Buen Aire after the patron saint of sailors, who always brought “good wind.” After a failed attempt to settle into this new land, Mendoza eventually left Buenos Aires and returned to Spain. It wasn’t until several decades later when another Spaniard, Juan de Garay, arrived in the city and oversaw a successful settlement by the Spanish in 1580.

In the ensuing 17th and 18th centuries, Buenos Aires became a major international trading port. Its success in global trading helped fuel a massive growth period in the city, and by 1810, Buenos Aires attained independence from Spain. The 19th century saw waves of immigration, particularly from Spain, Italy, and France. Periods of instability plagued the mid-20th century, but Buenos Aires today is a cosmopolitan and captivating city.

With 13 million residents, known as Porteños, Buenos Aires is the largest city in Argentina and an urban hub for arts, culture, and cuisine. Cultural influences include a strong sense of family, a passion for soccer, and the evocative tango.

There’s a reason Buenos Aires is dubbed the “Paris of South America”; shoppers will be in paradise here. Things to buy include leather goods, jewelry, ornate mate gourds, silver bombillas for drinking yerba mate, jars of dulce de leche, and fine Argentinian wines. Some of the best shopping areas include upscale Recoleta for designer clothing, San Telmo for vintage, and the ornately frescoed Galerías Pacifico, a stylish mall with an inviting food court.

Walking is the best way to get around the heart of the city, the center of which is laid out in a grid system. A free public bike system is also a good option for those who enjoy exploring on two wheels. The quick and efficient Subte, or underground metro system, is reasonably efficient, but can get very hot in summer. The city also has an efficient bus network and an abundance of black-and-yellow taxis, which can be hailed on the street. Your Uber app will work here, too.

The currency of the region is the Argentine peso. In Buenos Aires, most places will accept credit cards, although there might be a fee for each transaction. Often, paying with cash is better. If you pay with U.S. dollars, you’ll be given change in pesos, so check it carefully. There are ATMs all over the city. 

Argentina has a moderate tipping culture, although it’s always better to tip in cash rather than trying to round up the bill. Tip 10% in a restaurant for good service, and offer the equivalent of $5 to $10 per person to a good guide. You could round up the bill for a kind taxi driver, but remember that a few pesos is practically worthless; work it out by percentage instead and leave 5% to 10%.