Getting Started in Buenos AiresYour First 90 Days Checklist
You made the leap. Welcome to Buenos Aires. Whether you are here for a few months or planning to build a new life, this step-by-step checklist will guide you from touchdown at Ezeiza to feeling like a local. Take it one day at a time - thousands of expats have walked this path before you, and it is absolutely worth it.
First 24 Hours
Get connected, get cash, and get settled.
Get a local SIM card
EssentialClaro or Personal are the best options. Available at the airport kiosks or any kiosko in the city. Costs $5-10 USD for a prepaid SIM with data. You will need your passport. Claro tends to have the best coverage in the city, while Personal often has better data plans.
Download essential apps
EssentialWhatsApp (everyone uses it here, even businesses), MercadoPago (payments and transfers), Google Maps (download offline maps for BA), and Uber or Cabify for rides. These four apps will get you through the first few days.
Get Argentine pesos
EssentialUse an ATM at the airport for a small amount, then find a cambio (exchange house) in the city for better rates. Avoid the airport exchange counters - their rates are significantly worse. Western Union and crypto exchanges often offer competitive rates too.
Get to your accommodation
EssentialFrom Ezeiza (EZE), your best options are Uber/Cabify ($20-30), official airport taxi (remis, $25-35), or the Tienda Leon shuttle ($10-12 to downtown). The shuttle is cheapest but drops you at a terminal, not your door. Aeroparque (AEP) is much closer - a quick Uber for $5-10.
Join expat WhatsApp and Telegram groups
Search for 'Buenos Aires Expats' on Facebook, Telegram, and WhatsApp. These groups are goldmines for real-time advice, apartment leads, event invites, and making your first friends. The community is incredibly welcoming to newcomers.
Pro tip: Don't stress about getting everything perfect on day one. Your only real priorities are connectivity (SIM card), cash, and getting to your accommodation safely. Everything else can wait until tomorrow.
First Week
Start building the daily rhythms of your new life.
Get a SUBE card for public transport
The SUBE card works on all buses (colectivos), subways (subte), and trains. Buy one at any subway station or designated kiosko for about $2-3. Load it with credit and tap when boarding. A single ride costs around $0.15-0.30 - public transport is incredibly cheap.
Transportation GuideExplore your neighborhood on foot
Buenos Aires is a walking city. Spend a few days getting to know your barrio - find the nearest pharmacy (farmacia), laundry (lavadero), bakery (panaderia), and the best coffee spots. Each neighborhood has its own character and hidden gems.
Neighborhood GuideFind your nearest supermarket
The main chains are Disco (mid-range), Jumbo (upscale, best imported goods), Coto (local favorite, good prices), and Dia (budget-friendly basics). For fresh produce, look for local verdulerías (greengrocers) and ferias (street markets) - much cheaper and fresher than supermarkets.
Cost of LivingOpen a MercadoPago account
MercadoPago is Argentina's equivalent of Venmo/PayPal and it is essential for daily life. You can set up a basic account with just your passport (no DNI needed initially). Use it to pay at shops, split bills, transfer money, and even pay for delivery. Many small businesses prefer MercadoPago over cash.
Banking GuideTry the local food scene
Start with the classics: empanadas (try carne, jamon y queso, and humita), a choripan from a street vendor, and a cafe con medialunas (coffee with croissants) at a local cafe. Don't miss your first proper asado (barbecue) experience - ask locals for their favorite parrilla.
Food & Dining GuideLearn basic Spanish survival phrases
You don't need to be fluent, but a few key phrases go a long way: "Cuanto sale?" (How much?), "La cuenta, por favor" (The check, please), "Donde queda...?" (Where is...?), "No entiendo" (I don't understand), and "Hablas ingles?" (Do you speak English?). Argentines appreciate the effort.
Learning Spanish GuideThe adjustment period is real. You might feel overwhelmed, lonely, or question your decision around day 3-5. This is completely normal. Give yourself permission to take it slow. The city will still be here tomorrow.
First Month
Time to set up the foundations for your longer-term stay.
Start apartment hunting (if on Airbnb)
Airbnb is fine for the first few weeks, but long-term rentals are much cheaper. Check ZonaProp and Argenprop for listings, and join Facebook groups like 'Buenos Aires Apartments for Rent' and 'Expats in Buenos Aires Housing.' Expect to pay 1-3 months upfront as a deposit. Palermo, Recoleta, and Belgrano are popular expat neighborhoods.
Housing GuideResearch visa options based on your situation
Most nationalities get 90 days as a tourist (extendable once for another 90 days). If you plan to stay longer, look into the Digital Nomad Visa, Rentista Visa, or other residency options. Start researching early - the process takes time and planning.
Visa OptionsFind a local gym or activities
Buenos Aires has excellent fitness options. Chain gyms like Megatlon and SportClub are well-equipped ($30-60/month). You will also find yoga studios, CrossFit boxes, and running groups in every neighborhood. Parque Tres de Febrero and the Costanera are popular for outdoor exercise.
Register for EcoBici if you cycle
Buenos Aires has an extensive free bike-sharing system called EcoBici with stations across the city. Register with your passport at any station or through the BA Ecobici app. The city also has a growing network of protected bike lanes (ciclovías), especially in Palermo and Recoleta.
Get health insurance (prepaga)
Argentina has excellent private healthcare at a fraction of US or European costs. The top prepagas (private health plans) are OSDE, Swiss Medical, and Galeno. Costs range from $50-200/month depending on coverage level. You can sign up without a DNI using your passport initially.
Healthcare GuideOpen a bank account (if you have temporary residency)
With a DNI or temporary residency, you can open a bank account at Santander, BBVA, or Galicia. Without residency, your options are limited - stick with MercadoPago and international cards. Brubank and Uala are fintech alternatives that are easier to open.
Banking GuideReady to Make It Official?
From tourist to resident - Lucero Legal can help you find the right visa path for your situation.
Get a Free ConsultationFirst 3 Months
You are settling in. Now it is time to put down roots.
Apply for your DNI if staying long-term
The DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad) is your Argentine ID card. You need residency approval first, then apply at RENAPER. The DNI unlocks everything: bank accounts, phone plans, contracts, and local pricing. Start the process early - it can take 2-6 months total.
Getting Your DNISet up monotributo if freelancing locally
If you are doing any work for Argentine clients or billing locally, you will need a monotributo (simplified tax regime). It is relatively straightforward to set up with a DNI and an accountant. Categories range from A to K based on income, with monthly payments starting around $20.
Find a good accountant (contador)
An Argentine accountant (contador) is essential if you are earning money, paying taxes, or navigating the financial system. Expect to pay $30-80/month for ongoing services. Ask other expats for recommendations - a bilingual contador who understands expat situations is worth their weight in gold.
Build your social network
Attend expat meetups (Meetup.com has tons), join language exchange events (intercambios), take a tango or cooking class, or join a sports league. The expat community in BA is one of the most active in the world. You will make lifelong friends if you put yourself out there.
Evaluate neighborhoods for a permanent move
After trying your first neighborhood, explore others before committing long-term. Each barrio has a different vibe: Palermo is trendy and social, Recoleta is classic and elegant, Belgrano is family-friendly, San Telmo is bohemian, and Villa Crespo is the up-and-coming sweet spot of price and location.
Neighborhood GuideEssential Apps Guide
These seven apps will cover 95% of your daily needs in Buenos Aires. Download them all before you leave the airport.
Argentina's essential payment app. Send and receive money, pay at stores by scanning QR codes, pay utility bills, and even invest. Think of it as Venmo, Apple Pay, and a basic banking app rolled into one. You absolutely need this.
The most popular food delivery app in Argentina. Browse thousands of restaurants, order groceries, and get items delivered to your door. Similar to DoorDash or Deliveroo. Accepts cash, card, or MercadoPago.
Both work well in Buenos Aires. Uber is technically in a legal gray area but widely used. Cabify is the fully legal alternative. Prices are very affordable - a 20-minute ride typically costs $3-5. Both are much safer than hailing street taxis.
Works great for walking directions and driving. Download the offline map for Buenos Aires in case you lose signal. For public transport routes, BA Como Llego (the official city app) sometimes has more accurate bus routes.
Not just a messaging app here - it is the primary communication tool for everything. Businesses take orders via WhatsApp, landlords communicate through it, and it is how you will coordinate with new friends. Having it is non-negotiable.
Start learning Spanish before you arrive or continue once you are here. Even 10 minutes a day helps. Pair app learning with in-person language exchanges (intercambios) for the fastest progress. Argentine Spanish has unique features (vos instead of tu, the 'sh' sound for ll/y).
The official Buenos Aires transit app. Shows real-time bus arrivals, subte schedules, and the best routes to get anywhere in the city. More reliable than Google Maps for colectivo (bus) routes since it uses official city data.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learn from the mistakes of those who came before you. Every one of these has tripped up at least a dozen expats.
Phone snatching is the most common crime targeting expats. Walking down the street staring at your iPhone is an invitation.
What to do instead: Keep your phone in your front pocket. If you need to use it, step into a shop or cafe. Use earbuds to take calls hands-free. Consider a cheap secondary phone for walking around.
Safety GuideThe 'blue dollar' (parallel exchange rate) used to offer significantly better rates, making street exchange popular. As of 2026, the official and blue rates have largely converged, so the risk is no longer worth the minimal gain.
What to do instead: Use official exchange houses (casas de cambio), ATMs, or Western Union. The rates are now competitive and you avoid the risk of counterfeit bills or getting scammed.
Argentine rental contracts often include clauses about inflation adjustments, early termination penalties, and deposit conditions that can surprise you. Some informal contracts offer no legal protection.
What to do instead: Have a bilingual friend or lawyer review any contract before signing. Understand the adjustment formula (ICL index), cancellation terms, and exactly what your deposit covers. Ask about utility transfers.
Housing GuideArgentina has public healthcare, but wait times can be long and quality varies. A medical emergency without coverage can still be expensive, and some expats have found themselves in difficult situations.
What to do instead: Get a prepaga (private health plan) within your first month. OSDE, Swiss Medical, and Galeno are the top options. Plans start at $50-80/month and cover everything from doctor visits to surgery. It is one of the best value propositions in BA.
Healthcare GuideATMs can have withdrawal limits, your foreign card might get blocked, and exchange rates fluctuate. Relying on a single source of funds is risky.
What to do instead: Bring multiple cards from different banks. Set up Wise or Remitly for international transfers. Keep some emergency cash in USD. Tell your bank you are traveling to Argentina so they don't freeze your card.
Banking GuideMoving to a new country is overwhelming. Trying to find an apartment, set up banking, learn Spanish, and build a social life all in the first week leads to burnout and bad decisions.
What to do instead: Follow this checklist at the suggested pace. Give yourself grace during the first month. The adjustment period is real, and Buenos Aires is a city that rewards patience. The best decisions come after you have experienced the city for a while.
First Month Budget Estimate
Here is what you can expect to spend in your first month getting set up. These are realistic 2026 numbers based on a comfortable but not extravagant lifestyle.
Costs vary significantly by neighborhood and lifestyle. See our full cost of living breakdown for detailed numbers.
Continue Your Journey
This checklist is just the beginning. Dive deeper into the topics that matter most for your situation.
Cost of Living
Detailed breakdown of monthly expenses, from rent to groceries.
Neighborhoods
Find the perfect barrio for your lifestyle and budget.
Healthcare
How the health system works and which prepaga to choose.
Banking
Opening accounts, transferring money, and managing finances.
Housing
Finding apartments, understanding contracts, and tenant rights.
Visa Options
Digital nomad, rentista, work, and other visa pathways.
Safety Guide
Neighborhood safety ratings, scams to avoid, and emergency numbers.
Getting Your DNI
Step-by-step guide to getting your Argentine identity document.
Food & Dining
Best restaurants, local food culture, and delivery apps.
You Have Got This
Moving to Buenos Aires is one of the most exciting decisions you will ever make. Yes, there will be challenges - paperwork, language barriers, and moments of doubt. But there is a reason thousands of expats call this city home: the incredible food, the warm people, the affordable lifestyle, and the energy of a city that never sleeps.
Take it one step at a time. Follow this checklist. Ask for help when you need it. And most importantly - enjoy the adventure.