The first two days in Buenos Aires, in priority order: what has to happen, what should, and what can wait. Tick things off as you go.
For Buenos Aires
How long you are staying
Must do
Personal, Movistar and Claro sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and in kiosks; bring your passport to register it. A local number unlocks most apps.
Foreign cards are charged at a rate close to the official dollar, and many places offer a cash discount. Have a card, some pesos, and a plan for topping up Mercado Pago.
Migraciones asks for evidence of regular entry when you apply for residence. Screenshot or print it.
Buy one at a kiosk or station and load credit straight away. Register it to your DNI once you have one; registered cards pay far less per trip.
Create your account on the Migraciones online system and check the document list for your category, so the appointment is booked as early as possible.
Should do
911 for police, 107 for an ambulance and 100 for the fire service. In some provinces 911 connects to all three.
The rechargeable card for buses, trains and the underground in the cities that use it. Buy one at a kiosk or station and register it once you have a DNI.
City buses charge by distance section, so say your destination before you tap. The Subte is a flat fare.
The city's login, used for school enrolment, complaints to the housing institute and many city procedures.
Empadronamiento for the city's health system accepts a foreign passport. Then you can book appointments on 147 or with Boti on WhatsApp.
Since the rental law was repealed, the contract decides the currency, the index and how often rent changes. Understand it before you sign.
In the City of Buenos Aires the landlord pays the agent. If an agency asks you for a commission, a fee or a credit-report cost, say no.
Nice to do
Lunch runs from one to three, dinner rarely before nine, and a merienda of coffee and pastries fills the gap.
Most embassies run a registration or alert service for nationals abroad.
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