It is only natural for you to have a few burning questions before traveling to a new place—and even more natural if you are planning to study abroad! No need to worry, because whether you are coming to complete a Photography Course, Graduate Program, or a Culinary Arts Degree, Mente Argentina has you covered!
Below is a updated list of the 10 most frequently asked questions that we receive before our program participants arrive in Buenos Aires.
Preparation & Logistics
1. What should I pack from home that I won’t be able to get in Argentina?
Electronics and imported clothes are often significantly more expensive in Argentina, so we strongly recommend purchasing them at home.
- Medication: Bring all prescription medication in the original packaging, clearly labeled with your full name, doctor’s name, and exact dosage. Carry a copy of your original prescription and keep them in your carry-on luggage.
- Electronics/Accessories: Bring extra chargers, portable batteries, and all accessories for your electronics.
- Toiletries: Products you are particular about (specific makeup, sensitive skin creams, contact lens solution, or feminine hygiene products).
- Essentials: A good umbrella and a reusable water bottle and filter for daily use.
2. Can I drink water from the tap?
Yes, the tap water in Buenos Aires (Capital Federal) is potable and meets high health standards. You may find the taste differs slightly due to the purification process, so you can buy bottled water or use a carbon-filter bottle for comfort. If you travel outside the city, always ask locals or check beforehand, as water treatment is less consistent in rural areas.
3. How should I approach the local Spanish (voseo)?
This is one of the most fun parts of learning Argentine Spanish!
- Use Vos, Not Tú: Argentines use the pronoun vos (voseo) for the singular informal “you.” Forget the tú form you may have learned; Argentines expect to hear vos and its unique verb conjugations (e.g., querés instead of quieres, podés instead of puedes).
- The “Sh” Sound (Sheísmo): Another unique feature is the pronunciation of “ll” and “y” as a soft “sh” sound (e.g., yo sounds like sho, and calle sounds like cashe).
- Embrace It! Making an effort to use vos will impress and delight locals. Since most movies and courses use “neutral” tú Spanish, locals are accustomed to hearing both, but using vos is key to sounding like a true porteño.
Money, Tipping & Payments
The Golden Rules of Money in Argentina
Managing your finances in Buenos Aires can feel a bit different compared to home. While credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Wallet are widely accepted in supermarkets, major shops, and restaurants in 2026, cash is still absolutely essential for daily life, tipping, street markets, and smaller neighborhood stores, like fruit and vegetable stores (verdulerías).
When exchanging money or using ATMs, rates can fluctuate, and international bank fees can add up quickly.
💡 Because navigating the local currency is one of the most important parts of your preparation, we’ve put together a comprehensive, step-by-step financial guide. Before you pack your bags, make sure to read our full breakdown on Money, Money, Money: The Ultimate Guide to Managing Cash & Payments in Buenos Aires.
4. What should I tip waiters and taxi drivers?
Tipping (propina) is customary, appreciated, and mostly cash-based.
- Restaurants/Cafés: The standard tip is 10% for good service. While card or digital tipping is slowly becoming available in trendier spots, cash is still the undisputed king for tips. Always ensure you have cash pesos on hand to guarantee your waiter receives it. Check your bill—some places include a cubierto (a small table/bread charge), but this is not the waiter’s tip.
- Taxi/Ride-share: Tipping taxi drivers is not necessary. You can simply round up the metered fare to the nearest thousand pesos for convenience.
5. How much is an acceptable rate for a taxi ride to Ezeiza (EZE) airport?
- Mente Argentina Participants: Your ride to and from the airport is included in your program! This is your safest and best option.
- General Rate (Private Car/Taxi): EZE is outside the city. A private pre-booked taxi (remis) or Uber/Cabify should cost approximately $30–$40 USD equivalent, depending on the time of day and traffic.
- Cheaper Options: Shuttle services (like Tienda León) are very affordable. The City Bus Line 8 is the cheapest option, but it takes about 2 hours to reach downtown.
Daily Life & Bureaucracy
6. How do I do my laundry?
Very few apartments in Buenos Aires have in-unit washing machines, and mechanical dryers are extremely rare. The simplest method is using the neighborhood lavandería (laundry service), found on nearly every block.
- The Service: This is not self-service. You drop off your clothes in a bag, and the staff weighs it. You return later that day or the next morning to pick them up perfectly washed, dried, and neatly folded.
- Cost: It remains very inexpensive (approximately $4–$6 USD equivalent per big load).
- Delicates: Hand-wash any delicate fabrics or undergarments at home to ensure specific care instructions are followed.
💡 Want to know more about this? Check out our full guide on Where Is the Washing Machine? Understanding Buenos Aires’ Unique Laundry Culture.
7. Where can I print?
You can print quickly and cheaply at internet cafés called locutorios or local stationery stores (librerías).
- Process: Bring a flash drive or email the file to yourself/the shop. You pay a minimal fee per page.
- Large Jobs: For large documents (books or course readers), go to an imprenta (copy shop) near university areas for a faster, higher-quality, and inexpensive bulk rate.
8. How can I watch a Boca Juniors or River Plate football match?
Tickets for Boca Juniors and River Plate are almost exclusively reserved for club members (socios) and can be extremely difficult and expensive to get for tourists via official agencies.
- Best Bet: The safest way to attend a match or a Superclásico is through a specialized experience provider, like Mente Argentina. We organize group outings that include secure tickets and transportation.
- Alternative: To experience the true passion of Argentine football affordably, check out games for other historic first-division teams (e.g., San Lorenzo, Racing, Independiente, or Huracán). These stadiums offer an incredible atmosphere and are much more accessible.
- Safety Warning: Never buy tickets from unauthorized online vendors or scalpers on the street, as counterfeit tickets are incredibly common.
9. Do I need the yellow fever vaccine to travel to Iguazú Falls?
- Consult Your Doctor First: Always follow professional medical advice before traveling.
- Official Stance: The yellow fever vaccine is not mandatory for travel to Iguazú Falls (Argentina side) unless you are arriving from an active outbreak zone.
- Recommendation: Because you will likely cross over to the Brazilian side of the falls—where regulations can change and the risk dynamically exists—it is highly recommended as a precaution.
10. Can I mail items to and from Buenos Aires?
Try to avoid having anything shipped to you from abroad! International customs regulations (Aduana) are notoriously complicated, bureaucratic, and slow. Receiving a package often involves paying substantial import duties and taxes, and you might even be required to travel to a central customs office near Retiro to clear it in person.
Stick to digital items, or have visiting friends bring what you need in their luggage.
💡 Other Essential Mente Argentina Tips
🔌 Plugs & Electricity: Staying Connected
Argentina primarily uses Type I electrical outlets (three flat, angled pins), which are the same as those used in Australia and New Zealand. Occasionally, in older buildings, you might also find Type C outlets (two round pins, common in Europe).
- Voltage: The standard voltage in Argentina is 220V with a frequency of 50Hz. If you are coming from North America (where the standard is 110V), make sure your devices—like laptops, phones, or hair dryers—are “dual-voltage” (110V-220V) before plugging them in, or you will need a voltage converter.
- Our Setup: All Mente Argentina shared apartments and homestays are equipped with basic adapters to get you started. However, we highly recommend bringing at least one universal multi-country adapter and a power strip from home so you can charge multiple devices at once without hassle!
🚇 Public Transit & Arrival Perk
As mentioned above, navigating Buenos Aires is easier than ever with contactless payments and NFC. However, to make your arrival completely seamless, we include a pre-loaded transit method in your Welcome Kit for your total convenience!
If you have any other burning questions that weren’t covered in this top 10, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
👉 Contact a Mente Argentina Advisor Today & Start Planning Your Trip!
