Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Admission Prices
Many of the major museums
in Argentina's bigger cities
are subsidized by the federal
or state government and are
therefore cheap, and often free,
to enter. The admission charge
is likely to be in the order of
US$1. In the free museums,
visitors are encouraged to
give a voluntary contribution,
essential to the survival of these
underfunded institutions. To
enter private museums, visitors
should expect to pay around
US$4 to US$5. Note, however,
that most such museums
have days (often Wednesday)
when admissions are either
half-price or free. Entrance to
MALBA in Buenos Aires
(see
pp114-15)
, for example, is
cheaper on Wednesdays.
Cinemas are less expensive
Monday through Wednesday.
The door charge at nightclubs
varies substantially, but is not
less than US$5 and can go up
to US$15 in the most modern
and fashionable venues.
Visitors on the foredeck of a tour boat, Parque Nacional Los Glaciares
What to Wear
For visits to Buenos Aires and
central Argentina, visitors
should bring light summer
clothes and a raincoat for trips
taken between November and
March. The rest of the year, cold
winds, morning frosts, and even
snow can bring the tempe-
rature down.
During the summer in
Patagonia, travelers must take
sunblock and clothes that cut
out UV rays. Visitors will also
need to carry warm winter
clothing and harsh weather
gear, especially if visiting the
mountain areas. The northeast
and northwest are in the
subtropical region and have
hot, humid days and sudden
rainstorms. Nights in the
Andean high plains are
intensely cold all through the
year and sweaters or llama
wool ponchos are required.
shirt than in a rumpled suit and
tie. Everything moves at a
slower pace outside the major
cities in Argentina, and in hotter
regions the afternoon siesta still
remains a popular custom.
Language
The official language of
Argentina is Spanish, spoken
by everyone in the main cities,
towns, and interior. Outside the
university-educated middle
classes and those who work
full-time in the tourism sector,
English is not spoken widely. For
anyone who is traveling off the
beaten track, a smattering of
Spanish is a great advantage.
Small pockets of native people
speak Aimará or Quechua in the
Northwest, and Guaraní is still
strong in Misiones and along
the Paraguayan border.
In Buenos Aires, many people
still use elements of
lunfardo
, an
argot that arose in prisons in the
late 19th century that is a mix of
Spanish, Italian, and Genovese.
Opening Hours
Banks are generally open
from 10am to 3pm on weekdays
and closed over the weekends.
Museums, art galleries, and other
cultural venues usually open at
10am and close at 7 or 8pm.
Most supermarkets and
shops, including big shopping
malls, don't close until 9 or
10pm. Bars, pubs, and res-
taurants stay open very late,
making nightlife vibrant and
lively. In the provinces, many
shops and services close in
the afternoon for siesta.
Social Customs and
Etiquette
Argentinians are generally
courteous but friendly and
informal, and have a relaxed
attitude towards protocol
and etiquette. Depending
on age and degree of
acquaintance, they greet one
another with either a kiss on
one cheek or a handshake.
Men practice the former as
well as a pat on the back, but
it is by no means universal. If
in doubt, proffer a hand.
Dress is typically casual
though it is better to attend a
business meeting in a smart
Art exhibition space in Museo de Arte Latinoamericano, Buenos Aires
