Working in Buenos Aires Argentina

Argentina

The capital and largest city in Argentina, Bueonos Aires is located on the western coast of the South American nation. The Buenos Aires metropolitan area has a population exceeding 13 million, but remains a cosmopolitan and vibrant city.

Spanish explorers first settled on what is now Buenos Aires in 1536 before a second settlement started south of the city centre in 1580. Buenos Aires enjoys a warms, subtropical climate for much of the year, with great potential for outdoor recreation.

Location

Buenos Aires

Tourism Video


Airport

Ministro Pistarini International Airport
Located 22km south-west of central Buenos Aires, Ministro Pistarini International Airport is the largest complex by passengers handled in Argentina. The airport is a hub for local carriers LAN Argentina and Aerolineas Argentinas. Built in 1945, the airport now services close to 9 million passengers each year.

Several bus services operate from central Buenos Aires and its surrounding areas to Ministro Pistarini International Airport. Travellers also have the option of a shuttle bus to reach the airport or city, with local company Manuel Tienda Leon one provider in the Argentine capital. Taxi and limousine services are also widely available and can be pre-booked prior to arrival or departure.

Railway Station

Retiro railway station
The largest terminal in Buenos Aires, Retiro railways station is located opposite Plaza San Martin, one of the city’s largest public squares. The station has three rail lines and includes access to many bus services and the city’s metro system. Retiro railways station provides excellent intercity access for commuters and long-distance services throughout Argentina and internationally.

The other main stations in Buenos Aires include Constitución, Once and Federico Lacroze.

Transportation

Buenos Aires has an excellent public transport system featuring strong bus, metro and train networks. Buses are the primary form of transport in the city and can be very busy, especially during peak hours. However, the bus system is very cheap to use and moves commuters throughout the city with ease 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The city’s metro, known as Subte or subterraneo, is generally efficient, reasonably cheap and often a time saver compared to taking a bus. Like the bus system, the metro can also be very busy during certain periods of the day as commuters move between home and the workplace. The Subte runs between 5am and 10pm each day except Sunday.

Buenos Aires’ railways network travels to all parts of the city and resembles the shape of a star. Depending on the rail line, the railway system isn’t considered quite as efficient as other forms of the transport in the city. At the same time, it is also cheap and runs over long hours each day.

Cost of Living

The cost of living for expats in Buenos Aires is low to average by western standards, but has started to see a substantial rise in recent years due to increased inflation. According to online cost of living database Numbeo (http://www.numbeo.com/), prices for typical items on current exchange rates (June 2013) are as follows:

Food  
Cheap meal (inexpensive restaurant) $10.80
Three-course meal for two at mid-range restaurant $43.20
Domestic beer (500mL) $2.30
Coke (330mL) $1.70
Milk (1 litre) $1.30
Loaf of bread $1.60
Eggs $2.60
   
Transport  
One way ticket (local transport) $0.45
Monthly pass $21.40
Petrol (1 litre) $1.15
   
Rent (monthly)  
One bedroom apartment (central area) $540 approx
Three bedroom apartment (central area) $980 approx
   
Accommodation  
Hostel bed (one night) $20
Five star hotel room (one night) $175
   
Average monthly salary (after tax) $1110

Accommodation

Buenos Aires has a variety of accommodation options, ranging from budget, mid-range to luxurious. The most popular areas include San Telmo (budget hotels and hostels), Palermo (high-end), Recoleta (high-end) and Puerto Madero (mid to high-end).

A few options to consider include:

Budget
Sandanzas Hostel
Casa de Papa
El Sol Hostel

Mid-range
Hotel Diplomat
Alpino Hotel
Atlas Tower Hotel

High-end
Mariot Plaza Hotel
Hotel 562 Nogaro
Faena Hotel

Shopping

Shopping malls and supermarkets in Buenos Aires operate over long hours, usually from 10am to 10pm. The primary shopping areas include Florida Street, Lavalle Street and the Palermo Viejo. Only pedestrians can use Florida Street and Lavallle Street, where a variety of stores and many souvenir shops operate. The Palermo Viejo has a more edgy feel to it for a younger crowd after independent products.

The top weekend markets and fairs in Buenos Aires include Recoleta, Palermo, San Telmo, San Isidro and San Fernando.

Emergency

Emergency telephone numbers
General emergencies 911
Police 101
Fire 100
Medical emergencies 107

Australian Embassy, Buenos Aires
Villanueva 1400,
(C1426BMJ)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Telephone: (54 11) 4779 3500
Facsimile: (54 11) 4779 3581
Website: www.argentina.embassy.gov.au

Insurance and Healthcare

Argentina’s health care system is split into three sectors: public, private and social security sector. The public sector is financed through taxes, the private sector is financed through voluntary insurance schemes and the social security sector is financed through obligatory insurance schemes.

Medical care in Argentina is very good in cities such as Buenos Aires, but deteriorates in smaller towns or rural areas. Public medical attention is free for nationals and foreigners once identification documents have been provided. This system covers about 50% of the population.

Expats in Argentina can also take out private care, with an extensive range of services available for those willing to pay extra. Costs for private health treatment in Argentina vary compared to those in Australia. Despite a good standard of health facilities in Argentina, DFAT recommends all Australians travelling to the country take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover any overseas costs.