TIPS WHEN YOU ARRIVE!

>> When you arrive at Ezeiza international airport don´t exchange money inside the customs area, the exchange rate is very bad. If you don´t have any local money change a minimum. A very good idea is to check the local exchange rate before traveling to Argentina. You can do this for example at www.dolarhoy.com or www.dolarsi.com, where you'll get the exact exchange rate for the given time and day.

>> The airlines lost and found counters are at each end of the baggage carrousel area.

>> Don´t accept any transportation that is not official. Instead either arrange for it at one of the official vendors (kiosks) or ask your airlines personell to assist you.

>> The only places to stay at close to the airport are two Bed & Breakfast (B&B) about 5 -10 minutes from the airport, called Posada de las Aguilas and Bernies. If what you are looking for is a hotel, a reliable one, the closest ones are downtown.

>> Make sure you have a good idea of what argentine bills look like (you can take a look at them here) , and how much much each bill is worth. A common trick when you take a cab, or at a bar, restaurant, etc, is that the bill you hand over to pay with is changed in the blink of an eye for a fake one then, the cab driver, waiter, etc, says you´ve given him a fake bill, when in reality the fake bill he´s showing you is his own. A good idea, specially for the $50 and $100 bills is to memorize the last 3 digits of the bill before handing it over, so you know if the bill has been exchanged for a fake one, and so avoid paying twice as much for a given service.

>> Buenos Aires is a very easy city transportation wise. You have buses ("colectivos") that go almost anywhere, also subways, trains or just walk if you feel fit enough, though remember, the city is VERY big...

>> Pickpockets are a fact of life. Be very careful with your docs and money. A popular trick is to"accidentally" drop ice cream or chocolate or mustard from a hotdog on your person and then when they "try to help you clean up" they literally clean you out...

>> The safest way to take a cab is to call by phone the "radio taxis", don't just stop a cab on the streets, it can be dangerous, they can be fake taxis and your trip may end badly...

>> The aerea near the "Torre de los ingleses" plaza ("plaza de la fuerza aerea") across the Sheraton hotel has at times gangs of kids who may try to pickpocket you. Same goes for main train and bus stations all over the country, and as a matter of fact in most countries all over the world...

>> Some unscrupulous taxi drivers may tell you... "please would you answer my cell, its ringing and if I take the call I will get fined...", and when you do, the cell is rigged to give you an electrical charge, so you pass out or at least cannot move. They then proceed to steal your money and jewelery and then just drop you somewhere close to a highway.

>> Internet. No need to pay usually for internet access, it´s full of places like bars, gas stations, etc., that offer free internet access. Just take care not to enter sensitive info like bank passwords, etc, in open networks where your connection may get hacked.

MOST OF ALL USE YOUR COMMON SENSE!

Have a tip of your own for this section? Please contact us at tips@secretargentina.com or leave your own travel advice at our Forums.