Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Buenos Aires' very numerous (about 40,000) and relatively inexpensive taxis are conspicuous by their
black-and-yellow paint jobs. They click every 200m (or every minute of waiting time) and cost 20% more
after 6pm. Make sure that the meter's set to the current price when you start your ride. Drivers do not expect
a big tip, but it's customary to let them keep small change. Taxis looking for passengers will have a red light
lit on the upper right corner of their windshield.
Most cab drivers are honest workers making a living, but there are a few bad apples in the bunch. Try not
to give them a 100 peso note for a small fare; sometimes they're short on change, but there have been cases
where the driver quickly and deftly replaces a larger bill with a smaller (or fake) one. One solution is to state
how much you are giving them and ask if they have change for it ('
¿Tiene usted cambio de un cien?'
- 'Do
you have any change for a hundred?').
Be wary of receiving counterfeit bills; drivers have been known to switch your valid bill for a fake one. If
you're suspicious this might happen, note aloud the last three numbers/letters on a bill as you're paying him
(it's pretty much always a 'him').
At night the driver will turn on the light (or
luz
) so you can carefully check your change (look for a water-
mark on bills). They'll do the same with your bills. And make sure you get the right change.
Try to have an idea of where you're going or you might be taking the 'scenic' route (though also be aware
there are many one-way streets in BA, and your route to one place may be quite different on the way back).
A good way to give the impression that you know where you're going is to give the taxi driver an intersec-
tion rather than a specific address. Also, if you are obviously a tourist going to or from a touristy spot, it's
not a good idea to ask how much the fare is; this makes quoting an upped price tempting, rather than using
the meter. And try not to take a taxi right outside a tourist spot or after you've withdrawn money from an
ATM - walk a block or two and flag one down instead.
Finally, make an attempt to snag an 'official' taxi. These are usually marked by a roof light and license
number printed on the doors; the words
radio taxi
are usually a good sign. Official drivers must display their
license on the back of their seat or dashboard; you can write down the taxi's number and agency telephone
in case you have problems with the ride or forgot something.
Most
porteños
will recommend you call a
remise
instead of hailing cabs off the street. A
remise
looks like
a regular car and doesn't have a meter. It costs a bit more than a street taxi but is considered more secure,
since an established company sends them out. Most hotels and restaurants will call a
remise
for you; expect
a short wait for them to show up.
