Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CONCIERGE SERVICE
BA Cultural Concierge
( 15-3876-5937;
www.baculturalconcierge.com
) Madi Lang's concierge
service helps you plan itineraries, arrange airport transportation, run errands, get a cell phone, reserve
theater tickets, scout out a potential apartment and do a thousand other things that'll help your trip to
run smoothly.
Emergency
Ambulance
(
107)
Fire
(
100)
Police
(
911, 101)
Tourist Police
(Comisaría del Turista;
0800-999-5000, 4346-5748; Av Corrientes 436;
24hr)
Provides interpreters for travel insurance reports.
Gay & Lesbian Travelers
Argentina is a strongly Catholic country with heavy elements of machismo. In Buenos Aires, however, there
is a palpable acceptance of homosexuality. In 2002 BA became the first Latin American city to legalize
same-sex civil unions, and in July 2010 Argentina became the first Latin American country to legalize
same-sex marriage. In fact, gay tourism has become so popular that BA is now South America's top gay
destination.
Argentine men are more physically demonstrative than their North American and European counterparts,
so behaviors such as kissing on the cheek in greeting or a vigorous embrace are considered innocuous even
to those who express unease with homosexuals. Lesbians walking hand-in-hand should generally attract
little attention, since heterosexual Argentine women sometimes do so, but this would be very conspicuous
behavior for males. If you are in any doubt, it's better to be discreet.
Health
Buenos Aires is a modern city with good health and dental services. Sanitation and hygiene at restaurants is
relatively high, and tap water is generally safe to drink. If you want a glass of tap water, ask '
¿Me podés
traer un vaso de agua de la canilla?
' (Can you bring me a glass of tap water?).
Public health care in Buenos Aires is reasonably good and free, even if you're a foreigner. Waits can be
long, however, and quality spotty. Those who can afford it usually opt for the superior private care system,
and here most doctors and hospitals will expect payment in cash. Many medical personnel speak English.
