Tourist mistakes in Buenos Aires (and How to Avoid Them)

After living in Buenos Aires for over five years walking the streets of San Telmo every day, helping travelers plan their visits, and guiding friends and family around. I’ve seen all the classic tourist mistakes in Buenos Aires. Some are small, like paying too much for a taxi. Others can cost real money or worse, waste your precious time in one of the most fascinating cities in South America.

I created Secrets of Buenos Aires not just to tell you where to go, but how to experience the city smartly and safely. So in this guide, I’ll walk you through the most common tourist mistakes and how to avoid them like a local.

Read more: top 25 things to do in Buenos Aires 

The tourist mistakes in Buenos Aires

Some mistakes are laughable but others are very serious. I give you an insight into what the locals think of the most common mistakes tourists make in Buenos Aires.

Taking the First Exchange Rate You Hear

On Calle Florida, you’ll hear it: “Cambio, cambio.” Don’t rush. These are street-level brokers working for someone else. The first rate is rarely the best and you’re expected to negotiate. A bit of walking, a confident “¿cuánto?” and knowing today’s blue dollar rate will help. If they change the deal once inside the office, just walk out. No shame in it.

Pro tip: bring $100 or €100 notes, they get you a better rate. That’s not a myth. It’s how the system works here. One of the easy-to-avoid tourist mistakes in Buenos Aires is arriving with small denominations or only relying on your card. Bigger bills mean better deals, especially when exchanging cash in places like Calle Florida.

Want to get know more about the Dollar Blue? Click on the link to read the post.

Jumping in a Random Taxi Without a Plan

Taxis in Buenos Aires aren’t as shady as the internet might make you think. Most drivers are honest and just want to get you where you’re going. But confusion happens when tourists don’t clearly state their destination, or worse, don’t follow along. That’s when mistakes or “creative routes” can pop up.

Here’s what I recommend: always have your phone connected to mobile data, and follow the route on Google Maps or Waze. It helps you stay in control, and most drivers appreciate it when you know where you’re headed. Not sure how to do this? I’ve got a full taxi guide in Buenos Aires to walk you through it.

Now, taxis around the airports AEP and EZE are a different story. That’s where I’d avoid the line of “official-looking” drivers offering rides inside the terminal. Instead, prebook a trusted transfer, or arrange a Cabify once you’re outside. That’s where scams or price surprises still happen. You can prebook your airport transfer here.

Relying Only on Credit Cards

Argentina’s economy runs on a two-tier exchange system. Your foreign card uses the MEP rate, which is better than the official one — but still worse than the street cash rate. That’s why locals and experienced travelers carry dollars or euros and exchange them for pesos. Some restaurants even give 10–15% off for cash. Just ask: “¿Hay descuento en efectivo?” It adds up fast.

One of the costliest tourist mistakes in Buenos Aires is relying only on your card. I’ve seen travelers lose $100+ over a week by just tapping away. A little planning and street smarts go a long way here.

Thinking Dulce de Leche Is Just Caramel

I’ve heard it more times than I can count: “Oh, it’s like caramel.” No. Dulce de leche is its own religion here. It’s thicker, creamier, and made by slowly heating milk and sugar until it becomes magic. Try it in ice cream, on toast, inside pastries like alfajores. But don’t call it caramel in front of locals unless you want a gentle lecture. Respect the dulce. It’s part of Argentine identity not just a topping.

Not Speaking a Word of Spanish

You don’t need to be fluent, but knowing just a few key Spanish phrases makes your life easier and earns you respect. Many Argentines understand some English, but menus, taxis, and signs often don’t. Try learning basics like “gracias”, “la cuenta, por favor”, or “¿cuánto cuesta?”.

Bonus tip: “vos” is used instead of “tú” here, and Argentine Spanish has its own sound the double “ll” sounds like “sh”. I’ve seen travelers connect instantly just by trying. Locals love it when you make the effort.

Going to the Restaurant at 18:00

You’re hungry. It’s 18:00 (06:00 PM). You go to a restaurant… and it’s empty. That’s because locals eat dinner around 21:00 (09:00 PM) or even later. Many kitchens don’t even open before 20:00. Showing up early? It marks you instantly as a tourist. One of the classic tourist mistakes in Buenos Aires.

If you’re starving, do as the locals do — go for a merienda around 18:00. Think coffee with medialunas or a slice of cake. Then, head out for dinner when the city really comes alive. That small cultural shift makes all the difference in how you experience Buenos Aires.

Read also: the best steakhouses in Buenos Aires where locals actually go to 

Leaving Your Phone on the Café Table

It feels safe. People are friendly. But like any big city, petty theft exists especially in touristy areas or crowded buses. I’ve seen travelers lose phones, wallets, even passports just by being a bit too relaxed. Leaving your phone on a café table outside? That’s an open invitation. A backpack half-zipped on the Subte? Same story.

You don’t need to be paranoid, just aware. Use a crossbody bag, keep valuables zipped away, and always keep your phone in your pocket when not using it. Want a full breakdown? I wrote a detailed guide on this — Is Buenos Aires Safe? — with real tips to help you avoid these classic tourist mistakes.

Not Looking Down While Walking – A Classic Tourist Mistake in Buenos Aires

Oh yes, you have to watch carefully where you walk in Buenos Aires. One of the most unexpected tourist mistakes in Buenos Aires is tripping over a loose tile… or stepping right into dog poo.

Sidewalks here aren’t exactly smooth. You’ll find a wild mix of tile types, potholes, and spots where workers didn’t quite put the sidewalk back together after some repair job. Some streets are better than others, but you never know.

And the dog poo? Don’t get me started. It’s everywhere. Seriously, count them and send us the record 😆.

Booking the First Tango Show You See

You want to see tango, good choice. But not all tango shows are created equal. Some are tourist factories with average dancing and cold food. Others? Intimate venues with live orchestras and stunning performances. I’ve personally visited most of them, and I can tell you: it’s worth digging deeper. Book in advance, read real reviews (not just the shiny ads), and decide if you want dinner included. Want help choosing? That’s what Secrets of Buenos Aires is here for. Click on this link to see all reviews of tango shows in Buenos Aires.

Not trying the ice cream or wine

It is incredibly delicious. Ice cream after dinner or on a hot afternoon? A must. Or a glass of Argentine wine with your meal? Absolutely. Buenos Aires is the place to enjoy both. The amazing ice cream comes from strong Italian roots, and the wine from Mendoza is world-class.

One of the most underrated tourist mistakes in Buenos Aires is skipping these local delights. We even wrote an article about where to get the best ice cream in the city  and yes, we personally tested them (many times) 😋.

Read also: find the best ice cream in Buenos Aires

This concludes our list of “Mistakes tourists make in Buenos Aires”. We hope you will have a fantastic time in the city.