Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (the official name for the capital of República Argentina) is one of the most popular cities with digital nomads according to the Nomad List.

The Autonomous City of Buenos Aires is found on the Rio de la Plata shore on the East side of Argentina. This beautiful sunny city has a unique pitch to potential digital nomads: “the most competitive exchange rate in the region.” City officials seek to market it as a place where you can bring your foreign currency to get a lot more than you would buy elsewhere.

Apart from presenting the opportunity for remote workers to benefit from the country’s weak currency, the city is actively offering even more benefits to digital nomads.

Let’s explore everything that this South American paradise has to offer.

Visa Application

Most foreign visitors don’t need a visa to enter Argentina for up to 90 days. There are also special visa programs specifically tailored to digital nomads.

Here are the entry options available for digital nomads.

Visa-free entry for Mercosur nations

Mercosur (Mercosur in Spanish or Mercosul in Portuguese) is The Southern Common Market. This economic bloc is the fifth-largest economy which functions as a customs union plus a free-trade area with ambitions to become a common market like the EU. 

Citizens from Mercosur nations can get into Argentina without a visa for up to two years. They’ll typically only need their national ID and passport.

Mercosur is made up of:

• Five member states: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela, and Uruguay.
• Seven associate members: Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Guyana, and Surinam.

Countries with visa-free entry

What’s particularly interesting about Argentina is that visitors of most nationalities get visa-free entry for up to 90 days (you only need a passport). The full list features 100+ countries, as indicated on the official government website.

Working Holiday Visa

Remote workers can also benefit from the Working Holiday Visa. It’s valid for 12 months, and it’s not renewable.

The Working Holiday Programme (WHP) is a bilateral reciprocal agreement between Argentina and several countries. Although it targets young people to live and get short-term jobs, digital nomads might also benefit from it.

The WHP has specific quotas for different countries, which limits the number of citizens accepted annually:

• Australian quota – 1,500 Australian citizens
• Denmark – unlimited
• France – 1,000
• Germany – unlimited
• Ireland – 200
• Netherlands – 100
• New Zealand – 1,000
• Poland – 400 
• Portugal – 100 
• Republic of Korea – 200 
• Sweden – unlimited

How to apply for the Working Holiday Visa

You must apply for a Working visa at your home country’s Consular Office of the Argentine Republic.

First, make an appointment before submitting the required documents. Then, you’ll be required to fill in an application form and pay a fee. Finally, you’ll go through an interview.

Requirements for the Working Holiday Visa

Applicants for this visa should personally submit the following documents (originals and copies):

1. A passport valid for six (6) months when entering Argentina, with two (2) blank pages
2. Two current 4 x 4 cm photographs (facing the camera and color printed on a white background)
3. A filled-out and signed visa application form (preferably in electronic format)
4. Proof of your home address, like a utility bill
5. A legalized certificate of good conduct for more than a year during the past three years
6. A sworn affidavit of no criminal record in other countries
7. A signed employment contract with the company’s registration number under the National Registry of Petitioners on behalf of Foreign Applicants (RENURE). If the company isn’t registered with RENURE, call (54-11) 4317-0200/0303/0337 to complete registration.

There are also various other requirements for different countries:

• be between 18 and 30 years old (or 35 years for countries like New Zealand)
• not have previously taken part in the Argentinean WHP
• have enough money to cover expenses at the start of your stay
• don’t come with dependants
• be in good health
• get WHV insurance for your duration of stay

Cost of the Working Holiday Visa

Costs of the Working Holiday Visa include:

• a migration fee determined through an online process
• a consular fee of USD 250 paid in your local currency

Digital nomad visa

The recently launched digital nomad visa is similar to a temporary residence, and it’s officially called TRANSIENT RESIDENCE FOR “DIGITAL NOMADS.” This visa took effect on May 21st, 2022, granting foreign nationals working remotely a six-month (180-day) transitory residency visa. You can only extend it once for another six months.

Requirements for the digital nomad visa

• To get the digital nomad visa, you’ll need to provide the following:
• a signed application note indicating your personal data and intended independent work activity
• a brief Curriculum Vitae of your experience in your work area and level of studies or training
• your passport
• your photo with your face and a white background
• proof of your work, like a contract, certifications or income receipts
• one reference related to your occupation

The Digital nomad visa process

The visa application process can be done remotely. The Argentine government has created an online portal for this: Electronic Income Processing- TIE 24H. Here, you’ll attach the required documentation and data. Once complete, you’ll receive an email notification with proof of entry authorization. Show this to the inspector when submitting to immigration control as you enter Argentina.

The digital nomad visa fee

The digital nomad visa has the following costs:

• a U.C. Immigration Rate or 120 UC (a UC/ Consular Unit is a value that translates to a specific amount determined by the consulate)
• a Consular Fee of 80 UC paid in either USD or Euros

Other visa options

With the digital nomad visa, remote workers no longer need a tourist visa to enter Argentina, but it’s still an option if you wish.

Difficulty in visa application

Due to the bureaucratic processes in Argentina, as cited by various corporate entities and news sites, visa application isn’t particularly efficient. Different visa application processes will involve in-person interviews, so don’t expect to do everything online.

Although you’ll likely find English speakers at the consulate, non-Spanish speakers may have a communication challenge if they need to sort out unexpected issues, as experienced by some travelers. Besides, a good amount of the immigration and visa details on Argentinean government websites don’t have English translations.

To avoid many problems, follow the right process and do it as early as possible. Plus, try to learn a bit of Spanish.

Neighborhoods popular with digital nomads

Buenos Aires has 48 marvelous neighborhoods (barrios) to choose from.

Here’s a selection of some particularly great locations for digital nomads:

Palermo

It’s the city’s most beautiful and quiet neighborhood. The place features multiple restaurants, shops, and bars.

San Telmo

This is a charming location. It’s a historic district with vibrant hues full of antiques, markets, and stone streets.

Recoleta

The most refined and ‘European’ neighborhood. It’s “the Paris of the south,” an affluent residential area with great historical and architectural interest.

Cost of living and cost of living arbitrage

A dollar can go much farther in Buenos Aires than in many other places. With around USD 1,875.60 in Buenos Aires, you can have the same standard of life as someone with USD 9,100.00 in New York. And that’s including rent. You would also have the same living standard with about GBP 1,570.30 (USD 1,869.30) in Buenos Aires as someone with GBP 5,200.00 (USD 6,167.28) in London (including rent).

What’s more, people who take up the digital nomad visa benefit from:

• discounts on transfers and transportation
• discount packages in co-working spaces
• bonuses on accommodation
• benefits in educational, cultural, and restaurant offers

Accommodation

The Official English Website of the City of Buenos Aires conveniently provides curated accommodation options tailored to digital nomads. They range from high-end hotels, temporary rentals, student residences, and hostels to co-living spaces.

Some options include:

• Soler Home
• Soho Gardens
• Selina

Apart from the city’s official curated list, you can search for accommodation through platforms like The BA Plan, HostelWorld, and Airbnb.

For apartments, these are the typical monthly rent prices you can expect:

• 1 bedroom apartment in the city center – USD 309.30
• 1 bedroom apartment outside the city center – USD 225.44
• 3 bedrooms apartment in the city center – USD 580.11
• 3 bedrooms apartment outside the city center – USD 444.68

Utilities

The cost of utilities follows a similar pattern as the remarkably affordable accommodation costs. In a month, you may only spend USD 51.83 on basic electricity, cooling, heating, water, and garbage for an 85 m2 apartment.

Groceries

Shopping for groceries in Buenos Aires is also quite affordable.

Here are the typical prices:

• regular milk (1 liter) – USD 0.77
• a loaf of white bread (500g) – USD 1.33
• white rice (1kg) – USD 0.88
• 12 regular eggs – USD 1.40
• 1 kg of beef round (or an equal back leg red meat) – USD 6.24
• 1 kg of apples – USD 1.30
• 1 kg of tomato – USD 1.41
• domestic beer (0.5 liters) – USD 1.18

Internet

Buenos Aires offers multiple options for internet connectivity with decent speeds.

Mobile internet has the following speeds:

• 25.70 Mbps median download speed
• 9.04 Mbps median upload speed
• 20 ms median latency

The main mobile internet providers are Claro, Movistar, and Personal (provide the fastest speeds).

Fixed internet has the following speeds:

• 103.7 Mbps median download speed
• 28.06 Mbps median upload speed
• 12 ms median latency

The main fixed internet providers are Movistar, Personal (provides the fastest speeds), and Telecentro. A 60+ Mbps internet plan (unlimited data, cable/ ADSL) typically costs USD 21.13 per month.

Everyone can also take advantage of the city’s BA WiFi for free, 24 hours daily. BA WiFi has 1,200+ antennas in 1,000+ places in the city. It has a 5 Mbps limit per user, and each login is half an hour long (renewable unlimitedly).

Best co-working spaces

Buenos Aires has multiple co-working spaces.

HIT&Go is one such place with the following rates:

• ARS 9,900/ month (USD 55.33) for 4 monthly day passes
• ARS 23,000/ month (USD 128.54) for 10 monthly day passes
• ARS 35,000/ month (USD 195.59)  for unlimited day passes

Other locations include:

• WeWork
• La Maquinita Co

The crypto community

In 2021, Argentina had the 10th  highest cryptocurrency adoption rate globally, and it only dropped slightly to the 13th  rank in 2022. Evidently, the country is seriously active in the crypto space. This is further complemented by the fact that it was also ranked 21st globally in realized bitcoin gains worth USD 200 million in 2020.

However, BTC and ETH aren’t common for daily use in Argentina. Rather, stablecoins like USD-C, USD-T, and TRON are more popular since they are less volatile and have lower transaction fees.

Size of the local crypto community

Research shows that roughly one-third of Argentines bought or sold cryptocurrencies at least once per month. That’s double the percentage of the United States. Moreover, an estimated 2.4+ million people (5.18% of Argentina’s population) own cryptocurrency. Therefore, you will find many crypto/blockchain enthusiasts in the country.

Meetup features 10 blockchain/ crypto groups with members ranging from 200+ to 9,000+ in Buenos aires. The country has also attracted crypto-miners due to the promise of cheap energy. Argentina now has 20+ crypto-farms, including Bitfarms, a publicly traded bitcoin mining company.

The legal status of crypto

For a long time, Argentina hasn’t regulated the crypto space. Argentinians have been leveraging the lack of regulation to use cryptocurrencies in converting pesos into dollars to circumvent government restrictions on peso-dollar conversions. But the National Securities Commission and the Central Bank have been warning investors to be prudent with their cryptocurrency investments. 

Currently, cryptocurrencies are not legal currency according to the Argentine Civil and Commercial Code. That means they can be considered money but not legal currency.

Although not specifically targeted at cryptocurrency, new regulation under the UIF Resolution 300/2014 gives enhanced reporting requirements related to the Anti-Money Laundering Law and Tax Reform Law. Moreover, in May 2022, Argentina’s central bank prohibited financial institutions from offering cryptocurrency-related services. Such services include buying and selling crypto using digital wallets or mobile banking apps and setting up crypto exchanges. However, crypto exchanges like Lemon are exempt since they are payment processors.

Crypto startups based in Buenos Aires

Argentina has had several crypto startups, which typically operate in Buenos Aires. A notable example is Lemon, a crypto exchange offering debit cards for crypto-based transactions.

Various local yet interesting startups like CrypStation offer free advice on digital currencies and accept payments in 30 different digital coins. Argentina’s Santiago Siri, an early crypto enthusiast, created a digital coin called UBI (Universal Basic Income). Other startups highlighted on Clutch include SpaceDev, ZirconTech, and Rather Labs.

Taxation on cryptocurrency

A 2017 Income Tax Law amendment requires taxing profits from any sale of digital currency since it’s considered income. Therefore, Argentinians must pay a 15% capital gains tax on any capital gains from digital currencies.

Digital nomad community

The Buenos Aires City Tourist Board estimates that 8,000 Europeans and Americans stayed in the city for more than 90 days in 2019. With the recent launch of the Digital Nomads BA program, Buenos Aires authorities expect to attract 22,000 digital nomads by 2023. They expect this group to pump roughly $140 million into the economy.

Local nomad job opportunities

Digital nomads are likely to get opportunities in many positions that ex-pats have had in large multinationals like the banking industry, IT, oil, and gas. You can also teach English or offer business translation services. Note that the potential opportunities depend on your being fluent or near fluent in Spanish.

During this job search, you can use a useful government website that curates job opportunities in Buenos Aires, Trabajo BA.

Popular recreational activities and fun spots

Buenos Aires has an extensive array of recreational activities and fun spots. These include shopping malls, parks like Centennial Park, museums like the Sivori Museum, galleries, theaters, restaurants, markets, fairs, and monuments.

Some notable attractions include:

• Teatro Colón – one of the world’s most majestic opera houses
• Caminito – Buenos Aires’ famously colorful street museum
• Puente de la Mujer – the landmark rotating footbridge inspired by tango

And, of course, the city lives and breathes football (soccer), which can be experienced in the stadiums.

Transportation

To get into the city, Buenos Aires has three airports:

1. Ministro Pistarini International Airport, Ezeiza (EZE): Argentina’s biggest airport in Ezeiza, 32km (20 miles) from the capital city center. It caters to long-haul international flights and some domestic/ regional flights.
2. Jorge Newbery Airport/ Aeroparque (AEP): It’s right in the capital city, in the Palermo neighborhood, and serves domestic and regional flights.
3. El Palomar (EPA): It’s 18km (11 miles) from the capital city and serves low-cost domestic flights. 

All three airports are accessible through taxis, private bus transfers, and public bus lines. El Palomar also has a train station.

For moving around the city, Buenos Aires boasts a large and efficient public transport network with almost 40,000 licensed taxis, sightseeing buses, and a huge network of cycle lanes. It’s also well connected internationally and regionally, with two coach stations, a train network, three airports, a port, and a cruise terminal.

You can use either private hire taxis (remises) through agencies or book regular taxis through the city government’s mobile hailing app, BA Taxi. The typical taxi rate starts at USD 1.50 for 1 km. Similarly, you can hire private bus transfers like TiendaLeón (charges USD 13.41 (ARS 2,400) from Plaza San Martin to Ezeiza) or use public buses (‘colectivos’ or ‘bondis’) that are cheap and run 24 hours a day through the whole city. The city also has a “Metrobus,” a bus rapid transit system with dedicated bus lanes.

The Buenos Aires subte (underground train network/ underground metro/ subway) has six lines (lineas): A, B, C, D, E, and H. These connect the city’s main train stations, avenues, and coach stations. But it gets crowded at peak times, leaving little space for luggage. You’ll need a rechargeable SUBE travel card to use the public bus, metro, train, or subte. Charge the card with credit at subte stations, national lottery outlets, or ‘kioskos’ with automated terminals.

Here is the SUBE travel card rate per trip:

• ARS 42 – 1 to 20 trips
• ARS 33.60 – 21 to 30 trips
• ARS 29.40 – 31 to 40 trips
• ARS 25.20 – 41+ trips

Alternatively, you can use the free public bike share scheme, BA Ecobici. The city has 200+ km of cycle lanes with 3,000+ bicycles.

Security/ safety

Buenos Aires is generally considered a safe city. But as with any large urban area, be aware of your surroundings. It’s generally much safer in tourist areas compared to other neighborhoods that may have higher levels of crime. Even so, always take common-sense steps to protect yourself and your belongings.

The crime rate especially affecting digital nomads

Visitors should be aware of petty crime and theft, particularly in crowded tourist areas. Digital nomads can take such precautions as avoiding carrying too much money or valuables and being vigilant in crowded places. If you experience any issues, call 911 for emergencies. Alternatively, contact the Tourist Ombudsman (Defensoría del Turista) for cases of abuse, mistreatment, or discrimination.

Dos and don’ts

Here are some basic precautions to take in Buenos Aires:

• keep your belongings close at all times
• take licensed taxis
• keep bags and rucksacks closed
• avoid isolated and poorly lit areas at night
• keep valuables to a minimum
• wear your money belt under your clothes for added security
• keep a photocopy or a scanned copy of your passport in a safe place
• don’t hang bags on the back of your chair

Cultural and social norms

Digital nomads should expect a friendly and hospitable atmosphere in Buenos Aires. The local culture has a mix of individualism and community-focused values.

A handshake is a norm for both men and women in formal or first-time meetings. And friends or colleagues greet each other with a kiss on the cheek. Also, business practices in Argentina tend to be slower than in other Western countries. Punctuality is important, but be prepared to wait about 30 minutes for associates.

The dress code is important and both men and women should dress decently. 

How you might be expected to behave

Building social and cordial relations within the workplace and with business partners is highly valued. Therefore, take time for coffee or after-work drinks with colleagues. Note that interruptions during conversations are not considered a sign of rudeness but rather as involvement in the conversation.

Avoid discussing Argentina’s troubled past during conversations. Overall, maintaining good business relationships is valuable. Even if your time is tight, it will pay off in the long run.

Cultural dos and don’ts

Here are the behaviors you can observe to fit in Buenos Aires:

• avoid being brash or abrupt with colleagues or clients
• dress smartly but not too flashy
• hierarchical and formal relationships are important; hence, address colleagues or superiors with titles and full names
• use small talk to build a good relationship
• compliments or questions about football can serve as an icebreaker
• avoid discussing controversial topics like politics unless with close friends

Political and economic stability

A tumultuous political history has made many Argentines avoid uncertainty and confrontation. However, political activism is common, and many citizens participate in peaceful protests. However, economic stability is challenging with decades of economic downturn, high inflation, and currency controls.

Many locals have turned to crypto and US dollars to avoid the devaluation of their currency. Argentines hold roughly USD 130 billion in dollars within the financial system, 8% of the physical stock globally. Plus, another USD 175 billion “under the mattress.” Interestingly, this seemingly negative aspect is the main attraction for digital nomads: the ARS-USD exchange rate gives you more local currency for your dollar.

The nature of politics and government

Argentina is a federal representative democratic republic. It’s divided into 23 autonomous provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. The country has enjoyed institutional stability since 1983 and is considered one of the most stable democracies in Latin America.

It has a three-branch national government system: the Executive headed by the President; the Legislative branch (a Congress with the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies); and the Judicial branch. 

Here’s an overview of Argentina’s overall score regarding its political state:

• judicial effectiveness – 57.9%
• government integrity – 45.1%
• government spending – 53.0%
• political rights – 35 out of 40
• civil liberties – 49 out of 60

Economic indicators

Argentina has a high inflation rate, currently over 50%. Even so, the country’s economy is the 3rd largest in South America and is classified as a high-income developing economy (by per capita GNI/ gross national income divided by the population).

Here’s a sample of other key economic indicators:

• GDP per capita PPP (gross domestic product based on purchasing power parity) was $23,627 in 2021
• a positive annual growth rate of 10.264% in 2021
• a GDP country rank of 28/ 197 in 2021

Language and language barriers

The official language in Argentina is Spanish. It’s spoken by 76.4% of the population. Many Argentines also speak English (18.1%), Italian (2.9%) and other languages (including Portuguese, Levantine Arabic, South Bolivian Quechua, and German).

Language barrier should be a manageable issue for English-speaking digital nomads in most areas frequented by foreigners. However, knowing some basic Spanish is essential.

Health

Argentina’s health care system comprises a public sector, social security sector (group insurance schemes/ Obras Sociales funded by compulsory worker and employer contributions), and a private sector. One-third of the 17.5 million people (40% of the country’s population) in Buenos Aires only rely on public health services.

Overall, Buenos Aires has a good healthcare system with highly skilled and competent medical staff. Moreover, IDB (The Inter-American Development Bank) approved a $300m loan in 2021 to improve the public and overall health services in Buenos Aires.

Common infectious diseases

The Buenos Aires authorities indicate that there are no major health risks in the city. The city isn’t affected by outbreaks of Zika like other tropical South American areas. It’s also useful to note that tap water is drinkable, and public hospitals are available 24/7, offering free treatment.

That being said, it’s good to practice safe health habits like washing your hands frequently. If you need an ambulance, call the free number, 107.

How to protect yourself from common diseases

Protecting yourself from common diseases in Buenos Aires generally involves taking precautions against bug bites.

According to the CDC, these are the specific diseases to avoid:

• Chagas disease (American Trypanosomiasis) – avoid exposure to feces of the triatomine bug
• Dengue – avoid mosquito bites
• Leishmaniasis – avoid sand fly bites
• Zika – avoid mosquito bites

Clinics and hospitals

Buenos Aires has multiple types of healthcare facilities. Some notable Level 1 Health Centers include Almagro, Balvanera, and Barracas 1. Medical services are generally accessible and affordable, and you might expect to pay around ARS 1,764 (EUR 15) for a GP visit or ARS 2,350 (EUR 20) for a specialist consultation.

Health insurance

Argentina is among the rare places where public healthcare is free for everyone, regardless of nationality. But digital nomads should still take out complementary international health insurance for private healthcare options. After all, private healthcare offers more options and better quality services.

Some popular international health insurance plans are Cigna Global Insurance Plan, GeoBlue Xplorer Global Medical Insurance, and Xplorer Worldwide Medical Plan. The typical cost of travel insurance is 5-6% of travel costs. It may vary depending on the coverage level, from $154 up to $437 for a $5,000 trip.

Vaccination

When visiting Buenos Aires, the CDC recommends these routine vaccines: polio, chickenpox, flu, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, measles-mumps-rubella, and shingles. Doctors may recommend additional vaccinations based on your travel plans and risk factors. Other vaccines include COVID-19, rabies, hepatitis A and B, typhoid and yellow fever.

Always consult a healthcare provider before your trip to determine which vaccinations are appropriate.

Electronic standards

The standard electric current in Buenos Aires and Argentina is AC 220-380 volts. The plugs used have 2 or 3 flat pins, with the top two being diagonally angled. This may differ from the standard in other countries like the US, so carry adapters or transformers for compatibility with your electronic devices.

Telephone and internet plans

Argentina’s international country code is 54, and Buenos Aires’ city code is 11. Therefore, to call Buenos Aires from outside the country, dial 0054 11 before the telephone number for a fixed-line. For mobile phones, first, dial 0054 9 11.

Most GSM phones in Argentina support these protocols:

• 2G (EDGE, GSM/GPRS): 850/1900 MHz
• 3G (HSPA+, UMTS/WCDMA): 850/1900 MHz
• 4G (LTE): LTE 700(28)/ LTE 1700(4)/ LTE 2100(4)

And there are three major mobile network providers in Argentina:

• Claro
• Movistar
• Personal

With Personal, you’ll find the following plans:

• ARS 2,600 per month – free WhatsApp, unlimited calls, 3 GB, and a 60 GB gift
• ARS 3,200 per month – free WhatsApp, unlimited calls, 5 GB, and a 60 GB gift
• ARS 4,950 per month – free WhatsApp, unlimited calls, 8 GB, and a 60 GB gift

On average, a 1-minute local prepaid mobile tariff costs USD 0.26

How to register for a SIM card

To register for a SIM card in Buenos Aires, go to a mobile phone store and purchase a local SIM card. You can also purchase a prepaid telephone card from:

• Tobacconists
• newsagents (kioscos)
• call-shops/ cyber cafes (locutorios)

The leading telephone networks are Personal, Movistar and Claro. They’ll require identification, so bring your passport with you.

Payment services and infrastructure

In Buenos Aires, the payment services and infrastructure is relatively developed and has grown quickly. The market size of cards and payments in Argentina in 2021 was around $69.3 billion. And it’s projected to achieve a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of over 30%.

Multiple payment options are available, including credit and debit cards, providing more opportunities and services for digital nomads.

Popular domestic payment services

Cash is Argentina’s most popular payment instrument, partly due to a high unbanked population. However, the government has been promoting the use of payment cards by lowering interchange fees, mandating merchants to install POS terminals, and encouraging the use of payroll cards. Payment cards are the second most popular payment instrument.

Most businesses in Buenos Aires, like hotels and many large shops, accept payment by card. But some smaller businesses may only take cash. The other payment options include credit transfers, direct debits, mobile wallets, and cheques.

The key banks/ finance institutions include Banco Nación, Banco Galicia, Banco de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Banco Macro, Santander, BBVA, Brubank, Banco Patagonia, Banco Supervielle, and Banco Credicoop.

Accessible international payment services

In Buenos Aires, international payment services such as Visa, Mastercard, and other major international cards are widely accepted at ATMs. Such ATMs operate 24 hours a day. For online purchases, popular options in Argentina include prepaid cards and direct carrier billing through mobile payments via SMS. Additionally, cash payment options such as PagoFacil and RapiPago are also used. Here, shoppers pay with cash in specific stores and locations after ordering online.

Other common payment options are online bank transfers and Mobiamo.

Currencies and exchange rates

Argentina’s national currency is the Argentine peso (ARS), which has the same symbol ($) as the US dollar. Prices are usually indicated in Argentine pesos, while US dollars are usually referred to using the symbol U$S. You’ll get the local currency in Buenos Aires through casas de cambio (currency exchanges), banks, and cash machines (ATMs). Provide your ID/ passport when doing so.

There is a difference between the official exchange rate (set by government mandate) and the informal/ black market one commonly known as Dólar Blue (a floating rate). The official ARS to USD exchange rate is 180.68 to 1, while the informal is 359.00 to 1 (checked January 12th, 2023).

Be aware that when changing leftover Argentine pesos at the end of your trip, you will be limited to USD 100 in cash.

Climate and seasons

Buenos Aires has a sunny, temperate climate with average temperatures of around 18°C (64°F), making it a great destination throughout the year. The city has four seasons:

• summer – from December 21st to March 20th
• autumn – from March 21st to June 20th
• winter (no snow) – from June 21st to September 20th
• spring – from September 21st to December 20th

Rains tend to be light and don’t usually interfere with activities.

The likely extreme weather events to take note of are:

• The Veranito de San Juan around June 24th may bring hot temperatures up to 24°C (75°F)
• The Tormenta de Santa Rosa around August 30th can bring electrical storms and heavy rainfall as winter ends

Keep tabs on weather alerts from the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional to remain updated.

Cuisine/ food

Buenos Aires is known for its rich culinary scene, heavily influenced by European immigrants, particularly those from Italy and Spain. Some popular dishes in the city include empanadas, Asado (barbecue), and pasta dishes. The city is also known for its steak houses, or parrillas, where high-quality cuts of beef are grilled to perfection. Additionally, Buenos Aires is home to a vibrant street food culture, where vendors sell traditional snacks such as choripán (a sausage sandwich) and churros. The city also has a thriving coffee culture, with many cafes and shops serving rich and flavorful brews.

Some popular dishes in the city include:

• Asado (grilled meat, typically beef)
• Empanadas (savory pastries filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables)
• Milanesa (breaded and fried meat, usually beef or chicken)
• Provoleta (grilled provolone cheese)
• Chimichurri (a sauce made with parsley, garlic, and olive oil)
• dulce de leche (caramelized sweet milk)
• Alfajores (traditional cookie sandwich)
• Matambre (grilled flank steak)
• Tira de Asado (ribs cut from the short loin)
• Cazuela (stew)
• Locro (a thick stew made with corn, beans, and meat)

Buenos Aires boasts a variety of restaurants for any budget range. A meal at an affordable restaurant costs around USD 6.25, and a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs around USD 25.

Tax requirements on digital nomads

Digital nomads in Buenos Aires benefit from multiple tax exemptions. For instance, foreign tourists get tax-free shopping on domestically-manufactured goods valued over ARS 70 at participating outlets belonging to Global Blue Argentina. To claim the refund, keep your receipts and complete the relevant forms at customs when leaving the country.

Additionally, local income taxes are waived for remote digital nomads. On top of that, Argentina automatically reimburses the 21% VAT charged on accommodation to international visitors.

Common concerns

Despite how great Buenos Aires can be for digital nomads, you may deal with a few challenges, such as:

• language barrier (if you find it hard to learn Spanish)
• bureaucratic visa application processes
• bureaucracy and inefficiency in government offices
• limited job opportunities for non-native Spanish speakers
• currency fluctuations

Fortunately, there’s a lot more to enjoy in this city, like:

• tax exemptions
• sunny weather most of the year
• available amenities similar to big cities
• a thriving nomad community