Buenos Aires Travel Guide: Taxis

With almost 13 million inhabitants, greater Buenos Aires is a huge city and though there is quite an efficient bus and subway system, it can be overwhelming for newcomers, making a taxi the preferred option for most tourists during the best vacations in Buenos Aires.

Within the Buenos Aires city limits a regular taxi is the easiest way to get around. Always painted in black with yellow roof and door pillars, they are impossible to miss and there are literally tens of thousands roaming the streets 24 hours a day. Though most are very friendly and reliable towards tourists, many locals like to choose one from one of the bigger firms that have radio links to their base as these are seen as more reliable. Though painted in the same black and yellow, they are easily identified by a big circle on the front doors with the term “Radio Taxi” and an identifying number below.

All taxis are obliged to have a sign with a photo identifying the driver as well as the owner and brand and model of the taxi hanging from the front seat with its identifying number which you can always write down if you think you were treated unfairly and want to register a complaint with the city government. A sign hanging from the other chair has the latest prices, whereby you pay a combined fee per mile as well for time spent waiting in traffic along the way. Remember that with inflation, prices go up around 10-15% every 6 months, so check the latest tariffs online just before leaving your home country for one of the best vacations in Buenos Aires.

A Remis delivers the same service as taxis but they are private cars, mostly without specific identifying marks and you can not catch them directly on the streets. Almost every street has one or more local “remiserias” where you can order one in person or by telephone. They have no meter, so you agree upon a fixed price beforehand and they will also take you outside of city limits. They calculate their prices from their starting location, so try always to select a remiseria that is close to either your location of departure or your final destination. It is normally a bit cheaper than taxis and very safe and preferred by many locals over a “real” taxi, especially for longer distances.

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Travel to Argentina with your dog or cat

If you are only thinking about spending a few weeks in Argentina, most people will be able to find someone to take care of your beloved pet. Many people however come down to South America for longer periods these days either for work, extended vacation or as part of their sabbatical and do not want to spend that much time separated from their dog or cat. Below we give you all the tools to make sure you can bring your pet on the greatest tours to Argentina.

The first important precaution is that all animals must be vaccinated for rabies at least 30 days but not more than 12 months before you travel to Argentina. A few days before traveling, an accredited veterinarian in your home country must then fill out the Argentina Veterinary Certificate. Each country has its own special certificate, so make sure to ask one, through the Argentinean Embassy in your country for example, with plenty of time in advance.  

Your airline must notify the Argentine airport at least 24 hours prior to landing (normally Ezeiza Airport, near Buenos Aires for most international flights),  giving notice of pets on board in order to ensure attendance of a local vet for inspection of your pet on arrival. There is a $25 USD customs fee that will be added to your airway bill if you are traveling in or out of Argentina. 

Remember also that even if it’s only a small cat or dog, the local airline, Aerolineas Argentinas, does not allow pets to travel in the cabin under any circumstances, unless they are medically certified service animals, such as guide dogs for blind passengers. You will therefore always have to make arrangements in advance for transport in the live cargo section. Your pet must also be traveling in a crate that is in accordance with the rules set by the international airline organization IATA, amongst others: adequate ventilation, waterproof bottom, a spring loaded door and no handles on the crate. Keep these simple rules in mind and there should be absolutely no problem on bringing your pet on the greatest tours of Argentina.

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