🧳Pack My Apps
← All destinations
🇦🇷
Essential apps for

Argentina

SpanishARS6 apps

Argentina has unique currency dynamics — most travelers use Mercado Pago + cash. Cabify and Uber both work in Buenos Aires.

🔌

Power & Plug

TypeC / I
Voltage220V
Freq50Hz

Type I is reversed from Australia — check polarity.

💬

Basic phrases

Spanish

  • Hello
    Hola
    OH-lah
  • Thank you
    Gracias
    GRAH-syas
  • Excuse me / Sorry
    Perdón
    pehr-DOHN
  • Yes
    Sí
    see
  • No
    No
    noh

+10 more below

🎎

Tipping

A tip ('propina') of around 10% is customary in restaurants and is usually given in cash, even when paying the bill by card. Round up for taxis and tip porters and tour guides modestly.

🚖Rideshare & Taxi

See all →
C

Cabify

Strong in Spain and Latin America. Often more reliable in mid-size cities.

Reliable in Buenos Aires.
iOSAndroidWebsite
U

Uber

The most widely available rideshare service globally. Works in 70+ countries.

Works city-wide.
iOSAndroidWebsite

💳Payments & Wallets

See all →
M

Mercado Pago

Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile mobile wallet — handles QR pay and transfers.

Local mobile wallet — accepted at most small businesses.
iOSAndroidWebsite

🗺️Navigation & Maps

See all →
G

Google Maps

Works almost everywhere except mainland China. Offline maps are critical when roaming.

Solid for Buenos Aires.
iOSAndroidWebsite

📱Messaging

See all →
W

WhatsApp

The dominant messenger in Europe, Latin America, India, Middle East, Africa.

Universal for any communication.
iOSAndroidWebsite

🍱Food Delivery

See all →
R

Rappi

Latin America super-app: food, groceries, pharmacy, cash withdrawal.

Dominant food delivery in Argentina.
iOSAndroidWebsite
Phrases

All Spanish phrases

Hello
Hola
OH-lah
Thank you
Gracias
GRAH-syas
Excuse me / Sorry
Perdón
pehr-DOHN
Yes
Sí
see
No
No
noh
Please
Por favor
por fah-VOR
Goodbye
Chau
chow
How much?
¿Cuánto cuesta?
KWAN-toh KWES-tah
Where is the bathroom?
¿Dónde está el baño?
DON-deh es-TAH el BAH-nyo
The check, please
La cuenta, por favor
lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR
I don't understand
No entiendo
noh en-TYEN-doh
Do you speak English?
¿Hablás inglés?
ah-BLAS een-GLES
Help!
¡Ayuda!
ah-YOO-dah
Delicious
Delicioso
deh-lee-SYOH-soh
Cheers
Salud
sah-LOOD
Briefing

What to know before you go

✓ Do

  • Greet with a single kiss on the right cheek, even between men who know each other
  • Meals and nightlife run late; dinner often starts at 9-10pm or later
  • If offered mate (the shared herbal tea), accept graciously; don't say 'thank you' until you're finished, as it signals you want no more
  • Argentines are warm and stand close when talking; backing away can seem cold
  • Dress neatly, as appearance and presentation are valued
  • Be prepared for relaxed timekeeping in social settings

✕Don't

  • Don't bring up the Falklands/Malvinas dispute casually; it is a sensitive national topic
  • Don't compare Argentina unfavorably to neighboring countries, especially Brazil or Chile
  • Don't make jokes about the 'Dirty War' or the political disappearances of the 1970s-80s
  • Don't assume tango or football clichés define everyone; avoid stereotyping

⚠️ Common scams to know

  • The 'mustard' or ketchup trick, where someone sprays you then offers to help clean up while an accomplice steals your bag
  • Counterfeit peso notes given as change; learn to recognize genuine bills
  • Unfavorable currency exchange and fake 'blue dollar' street changers who short-change tourists
  • Overcharging taxis that take long routes or claim a broken meter; use radio taxis or apps
Going elsewhere?

More destination guides

🇯🇵Japan🇨🇳China (mainland)🇰🇷South Korea🇹🇼Taiwan🇭🇰Hong Kong🇹🇭Thailand🇻🇳Vietnam🇸🇬Singapore🇮🇩Indonesia🇵🇭Philippines🇮🇳India🇺🇸United States🇬🇧United Kingdom🇫🇷France🇩🇪Germany🇮🇹Italy🇪🇸Spain🇳🇱Netherlands