What is a Porteño?

Buenos Aires locals refer to themselves as Porteños because many of them originally arrived by boat from Europe and settled in the port area. With 85% of the Argentine population of European origin, there's a blurred sense of national identity in Buenos Aires - South American or European?

Buenos Aires has a mix of styles.

Unlike most other Latin American cities, where the architecture reveals a strong Spanish colonial influence, Buenos Aires has a mix of styles. Modern high-rises sit side by side with ornate buildings from days long gone. At every turn you'll be reminded of the city's European heritage: with their boulevards lined with palatial mansions and spacious parks, the neighborhoods of El Centro, La Recoleta and Belgrano evoke Rome, Madrid, Paris, and Budapest. The Plazas of Palermo and Belgrano mirror those in Paris; Rome's Pantheon inspired the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora; the Avenida de Mayo has been compared to both Madrid and Budapest; and the Vatican Embassy on Avenida Alvear replicates the Jacquemart-Andre Museum in Paris. San Telmo and La Boca have a distinctly working-class Italian feel, in contrast to the stately aplomb of Plaza de Mayo and Avenida de Mayo.

Buenos Aires is the 9th. largest city in the world

And the hub of the southern cone, is a sprawling metropolis rising from the Rio de la Plata and stretching more than 200 square km (75 square miles)to the surrounding pampas, the fertile Argentinian plains. With more than one-third of the country's 39 million inhabitants living in or around Buenos Aires, the city is the political, economic, and cultural center of Argentina and the gateway to the rest of the country.

Tipping

Propinas (tips) range 10%-15% in bars and restaurants (10% is enough in a casual cafe or if the bill runs high). Note that some restaurants charge a cubierto, covering table service, not waiter's tip. Argentines round off a taxi fare, though some cabbies who frequent hotels popular with tourists seem to expect nmore. Hotel porters should be tipped at least 3 pesos. Also give doormen and ushers about 3 pesos. Beauty and barber shop personnel generally get around 10%.

Gay & Lesbian Travel

In Buenos Aires, local attitudes towards same-sex couples are tolerant, and there are numerous gay bars, organizations, and publications. In the rural areas and small towns of Argentina, people are less accepting; still, though you may find people staring at public displays of affection, you shouldn't encounter any hostility.

Electricity

The electrical current in Argentina is 220 volts, 50 cycles alternating current (AC); wall outlets usually take Continental-type plugs, with two round prongs or three flat, angled prongs.

To use electric-powered equipment purchased in the United States or Canada, bring a converter and adapter; some high-end accommodations provide these, but you're better off bringing them if you're unsure.

If your appliances are dual-voltage, you'll need only an adapter. Don't use 110-volt outlets marked FOR SHAVERS ONLY for high-wattage appliances such as blow-dryers. Most laptops operate equally well on 110 and 220 volts and so require only an adapter.

Boat and Ferry Travel

Buquebus provides frequent ferry service between Argentina and Uruguay and has several packages and promotions.There are round trip rates for economy travel from Buenos Aires to the cities of Colonia, La Paloma, Montevideo, Piriapolis, and Punta del Este, all in Uruguay. All destinations, except Colonia, include bus transfers; the duration of the trip varies from 45 minutes to around 3 hours.

The more modest Ferry Lineas Argentina also serves the Buenos Aires - Uruguay route on a smaller scale with fewer boats per day; they sometimes work in conjunction with Buquebus.