If you are looking for some useful tips for remote workers in Buenos Aires, a good place to start will be the many online communities devoted to the expat community in the city. Buenos Aires is in fact not a particularly difficult city to navigate, and its European vibes will probably make the local culture here more accessible to visitors from the Old Continent and North America. Having said that, there are certain some peculiarities to living in Buenos Aires - exchange rates, eating times, siestas and nightlife all have their own special twist here. In order to get a feel for the city and the vibe around its many different neighborhoods, it is a good idea to rent a hotel room or Airbnb centrally and give yourself a chance to explore before settling in a particular area. In addition to this, below we outline a few more useful tips for remote workers in Buenos Aires.
One of the best tips for remote workers in Buenos Aires and any city will be to join one of the existing international communities. Luckily, there are lots of these in Buenos Aires and the growing expat community here is helpful and resourceful, ready to assist through any of the many facebook groups available. On Meetup.com you will also find lots of other opportunities to meet remote workers in Buenos Aires and become part of groups based on shared interest which will give you a sense of belonging in the city.
Even though Argentina’s capital has one of the highest levels of English in the continent, a great tip for remote workers in Buenos Aires is certainly to learn at least some Spanish. As in any country, having at least some handle on the local language will give you the opportunity to engage on a more substantial level with local culture and make it easier to navigate day-to-day life in the city. Conveniently, there are lots of language exchanges and international events around Buenos Aires which provide visitors with valuable opportunities to practice Spanish. There are also several Spanish schools around the city including InterBA, Expanish and Mente Argentina.
International money is a hot topic for foreigners living in Buenos Aires and Argentina in general. Recent currency controls have seen the value of the US Dollar and other major currencies skyrocket and Argentine Pesos (ARS) are often difficult to obtain in large quantities. As such, an important tip for remote workers in Buenos Aires is to devise a plan for the efficient management of money while in the city. If you are paid in USD or any other global currency, Western Union and TransferWise may offer the unofficial Blue Rate which is much better for visitors than the official rates. ATMs, Banks and official exchanges will use the much less favorable official rate, which is about 30% lower. As in most places, cash is king and you will be able to get best rates for your USD cash at unofficial exchange booths, or “cuevas”, around the center of the city.
A useful tip for remote workers in Buenos Aires will certainly be to get to know some of the peculiarities of Argentine culture, since knowing them is likely to give you a helping hand when it comes to making friends and fully enjoying the city. It is important to know, for example, that dinner is usually eaten later after 9:30-10:00pm in Buenos Aires, and it is really after these hours that restaurants will be most active. Equally, you should expect some local stores to close between 2pm and 4pm for a rest period every afternoon. When it comes to nightlife, expect the party to come into full swing only well after midnight and into the early morning hours. Keep in mind that drinking mate is a cultural tradition here also, and expect to see it everywhere.
For more information about living in Buenos Aires as a remote worker, check out our complete Buenos Aires guide.