Buenos Aires

## When to Use User asks about Buenos Aires for any purpose: visiting, moving, working, studying, or starting a business. Agent provides practical guidance with current data. ## Quick Reference | Topic | File | |-------|------| | **Visitors** | | | Attractions (must-see vs skip) | `visitor-attractions.md` | | Itineraries (1/3/7 days) | `visitor-itineraries.md` | | Where to stay | `visitor-lodging.md` | | Tips & day trips | `visitor-tips.md` | | **Neighborhoods** | | | Quick comparison | `neighborhoods-index.md` | | Palermo, Belgrano, Nunez | `neighborhoods-norte.md` | | Microcentro, San Nicolas, Retiro | `neighborhoods-centro.md` | | San Telmo, La Boca, Barracas | `neighborhoods-sur.md` | | Caballito, Almagro, Villa Crespo | `neighborhoods-oeste.md` | | Puerto Madero, Recoleta | `neighborhoods-premium.md` | | Choosing guide | `neighborhoods-choosing.md` | | **Food** | | | Overview & dining scene | `food-overview.md` | | Argentine cuisine | `food-local.md` | | International & fine dining | `food-international.md` | | Best areas for dining | `food-areas.md` | | Dietary, tipping, customs | `food-practical.md` | | **Practical** | | | Moving & settling | `resident.md` | | Transport (subte, colectivos, taxis) | `transport.md` | | Cost of living | `cost.md` | | Safety & security | `safety.md` | | Weather & seasonal tips | `climate.md` | | Local services (banking, SIM) | `local.md` | | **Career** | | | Tech industry & salaries | `tech.md` | | Business setup & regulations | `business.md` | | Visas (work, residency, digital nomad) | `visas.md` | | Startups & funding | `startup.md` | | **Lifestyle** | | | Culture & customs | `culture.md` | | Healthcare & insurance | `healthcare.md` | | Schools & education | `education.md` | | Expat lifestyle & social | `lifestyle.md` | | Driving & car ownership | `driving.md` | ## Core Rules ### 1. Identify User Context First - **Role**: Tourist, resident, tech worker, student, entrepreneur, digital nomad - **Timeline**: Short visit, planning to move, already there - Load relevant auxiliary file for details ### 2. Economic Context (Critical) Argentina has chronic inflation (~140% annually in 2024) and currency controls: - **Official rate vs "blue dollar"**: Significant gap (30-40% historically) - **MEP/CCL rates**: Legal alternatives for better exchange - **Crypto adoption**: Very high due to currency instability - **Dollar preference**: Many transactions quoted in USD See `cost.md` for current rates and strategies. ### 3. Cultural Context Buenos Aires is the most European city in South America: - **Spanish influence**: Architecture, cafe culture, late dining - **Italian influence**: 60%+ of population has Italian ancestry, affects food and gestures - **Tango**: Cultural institution, not just for tourists - **Futbol (soccer)**: Religion-level passion, Boca vs River divides the city - **Late night culture**: Dinner at 10pm, clubs open at 2am See `culture.md` for detailed guidance. ### 4. Weather Reality - **Summer (Dec-Feb)**: 28-35C, humid, many locals leave in January - **Winter (Jun-Aug)**: 8-15C, gray, limited heating in buildings - **Best months**: March-May (autumn), September-November (spring) - **No central heating**: Most apartments use space heaters See `climate.md` for monthly breakdown. ### 5. Current Data (Feb 2026) | Item | Range (USD at blue rate) | |------|--------------------------| | 1BR rent (Palermo) | $400-700/month | | 1BR rent (Recoleta) | $500-800/month | | 1BR rent (outer barrios) | $250-400/month | | Senior SWE salary (USD) | $3,000-6,000/month | | Subte monthly pass | ~$15 | | Dinner for 2 (nice restaurant) | $30-60 | | Asado for 4 at home | $20-30 | ### 6. Cost Reality Buenos Aires is very affordable for dollar earners: - **Housing**: 20-30% of budget typical for expats - **Food**: Excellent quality at low prices (especially beef, wine) - **Services**: Very cheap (cleaning, laundry, repairs) - **Tech salaries**: Often paid in USD, huge advantage - **Hidden costs**: Importing goods expensive, electronics cost 2-3x US prices ### 7. Transit Options Buenos Aires has good public transport, especially vs other LATAM cities: - **Subte**: 6 lines, cheap, crowded at rush hour - **Colectivos (buses)**: 140+ lines, 24/7, covers entire city - **Taxis/Ride-hailing**: Cheap, Uber/Cabify widely used - **SUBE card**: Essential for all public transport Most residents don't own cars in central areas. See `transport.md`. ### 8. Neighborhood Matching | Profile | Best Areas | |---------|------------| | Young professionals/Digital nomads | Palermo Soho, Palermo Hollywood, Villa Crespo | | Families | Belgrano, Nunez, Caballito | | Budget-conscious expats | Almagro, Boedo, Villa Crespo | | Luxury seekers | Puerto Madero, Recoleta | | Artists/Bohemian | San Telmo, La Boca (Caminito area only) | | Tech workers | Palermo, Belgrano, Puerto Madero | ## Visa Context Unlike Dubai, Argentina has relatively easy immigration: - **Tourist visa**: 90 days, extendable once (180 total) - **Digital nomad visa**: 6-12 months, renewable - **Work visa**: Employer-sponsored, becoming more common in tech - **Residency**: Relatively easy through rentista, investor, or ancestry - **Citizenship**: Possible after 2 years of residency See `visas.md` for detailed requirements. ## Buenos Aires-Specific Traps - **Blue dollar confusion** - Always know the parallel rate. Official rate = losing 30-40%. - **January exodus** - City empties out. Many businesses close. Plan around it. - **Crime awareness** - Express kidnapping, phone theft common. Be street smart. - **Building heating** - Central heating rare. Winter apartments get COLD. - **Sunday closures** - Many restaurants/shops closed Sundays, especially outside Palermo. - **Cash dependency** - Despite crypto adoption, many places cash-only (at blue rate). - **Import taxes** - Electronics, clothes, anything imported costs 2-3x. - **Restaurant tipping** - 10% expected, but some include "cubierto" (cover charge). - **Spanish requirement** - Less English spoken than expected. Learn basics. - **Afternoon closure** - Some businesses close 1-5pm (siesta culture). ## Safety Awareness Buenos Aires is generally safe but requires street smarts: - **Tourist areas**: Well-patrolled, relatively safe - **Phone theft**: Very common, don't use phone obviously on street - **Express kidnapping**: Rare but real, avoid displaying wealth - **ATMs**: Use inside banks, never at night - **Areas to avoid**: La Boca (outside Caminito), Once at night, Constitucion See `safety.md` for comprehensive guidance. ## Expat Community Buenos Aires has a large, established expat community: - **Digital nomad hubs**: Palermo cafes, coworking spaces - **Expat groups**: Active Facebook groups, meetups - **Languages spoken**: Spanish dominant, English in tech/tourism - **Integration**: Easier than many cities due to welcoming culture - **Dating scene**: Active, Tinder/Bumble popular ## Legal Awareness Key laws visitors/residents should know: - **Marijuana**: Decriminalized for personal use, but selling illegal - **Alcohol**: Legal at 18, widely available - **Protests**: Common, mostly peaceful, avoid area during - **Photography**: Generally permitted, ask before photographing people - **Noise laws**: Exist but loosely enforced, expect late-night noise - **Consumer rights**: Strong protection laws, refunds possible ## Scope This skill ONLY: - Provides information about Buenos Aires for visitors, residents, and workers - References auxiliary files with detailed neighborhood, food, and practical guides - Gives current data on costs, visas, and local services This skill NEVER: - Makes network requests or API calls - Accesses calendar, email, or contacts - Stores data or creates files - Executes code or scripts - Modifies its own SKILL.md