CITY GUIDE · FIRST VISIT · 2026
# First-Time Mistakes in Buenos Aires (and How to Avoid Them)
Visiting Buenos Aires for the first time is exciting, especially if you are traveling with family or a partner. A recent Business Insider article by Jamie Davis Smith, who spent six days in Buenos Aires with her husband and three kids before heading to Antarctica, highlights four practical mistakes many first-time visitors make. Her experience is a helpful guide for planning your own trip. We also add a fifth: the arrival mistake that can make your very first hours in the city much smoother.
1. Don't avoid the Subte
Smith's first mistake was avoiding the subway and relying on Uber instead. That is a common reaction, especially after a long-haul flight. But Uber gets expensive and slow in traffic, and cars can be hard to find during peak hours.
Buenos Aires has the oldest subway in South America. The Subte is modern, cheap, and easy to navigate once you get your bearings. Not all stations or cars are air-conditioned, so summer rides can be warm, but nothing extreme. Use basic street smarts in busy stations: keep your bag in front of you, put your phone away in crowds, and you will be fine. Pick up a rechargeable SUBE card, which also works on buses and commuter trains, and you can move around the city without thinking about fares each time.
Bottom line: start using the Subte from day one. You will save money and get a better feel for how the city moves.
2. Arrive with pesos in cash
Smith's first dinner in Buenos Aires was at a local pizzeria. When the bill came, the restaurant only accepted cash. She had to leave her family at the table and go looking for an ATM.
That scenario is more common than most travel guides admit. Many restaurants, small shops, and market vendors are cash only. In ride apps, choosing to pay in cash can also help you get picked up faster, since many drivers prefer it.
ATMs in Buenos Aires charge high fees and cap how much you can withdraw in a single transaction. To avoid a stressful first evening, arrive with Argentine pesos already in your wallet. Ask your bank or a currency exchange at home before you travel. If you want to skip the cash question entirely on arrival, a pre-paid private airport transfer means you do not need to touch an ATM the moment you land.
3. Accept the late-night culture
Smith went out to dinner at 8 p.m. and found empty restaurants and quiet streets, even on a weeknight. In Buenos Aires, locals commonly eat dinner at 10 p.m. or later. The city comes alive well after dark.
This catches a lot of first-time visitors off guard. The fix is simple: give yourself permission to rest in the afternoon so you have energy for the night. Enjoy a slow dinner, then stay out to see the city at its best, or book an evening activity that fits the local rhythm. A tango show is a natural option: it takes place indoors, keeps you cool in summer, and slots perfectly into the late Buenos Aires schedule. Our private city tour can also be tailored to include evening highlights if you want a guided introduction to the neighborhoods after dark.
4. Plan indoor activities for the heat
Buenos Aires in December and January is full summer, and Smith found that days topped 90°F (around 32°C). If you are exploring on foot or visiting outdoor markets, the midday heat can wear you down fast, especially with kids.
Having a few indoor options ready makes a big difference. Smith names the Evita Museum, the National Museum of Fine Arts (MNBA), and MALBA as good choices. An indoor tango performance is another way to spend a few hours in air conditioning while still doing something memorable. Build at least one or two of these into your itinerary as backup for the hottest afternoons, and save outdoor neighborhoods like San Telmo or La Boca for morning or early evening.
5. Book your airport arrival before you land
This one is not in the Business Insider article, but it is the mistake that shapes everything that follows. Landing without pesos, hunting for an ATM, and trying to find a ride after a long flight sets a stressful tone for the first day.
A pre-booked, pre-paid private transfer removes all of that. Your driver is waiting when you arrive, the price is fixed, and you do not need cash on hand to get into the city. If you are traveling as a family or with luggage, it also removes the uncertainty of fitting everyone into a car that may or may not show up. You get in, you relax, and the trip starts on your terms.
Beyond the city: two day trips worth planning
Once you have the city basics sorted, two day trips stand out for first-time visitors.
The Areco countryside experience, where you become a gaucho for a day on a traditional estancia, is exactly what Smith described loving: horses, asado, open fields, and a very different side of Argentina. It pairs well with a relaxed city stay and gives you a break from the urban pace. You can book it through BAT.
The Tigre Delta day trip takes you into a network of canals and islands reminiscent of Venice, just outside the city. It is quiet, green, and a good escape from the summer heat. Both trips are easy to add to a six-day Buenos Aires itinerary without feeling rushed.
The short version
For a deeper look at planning your first trip to Buenos Aires, see our full Buenos Aires travel tips guide. The short version from Smith's experience:
- Use the Subte from day one.
- Arrive with pesos.
- Pace yourself for late dinners.
- Keep indoor options ready for hot afternoons.
- Book your airport transfer before you land.
Get these five things right and your first Buenos Aires trip will feel smooth from the moment you arrive.