When travelling to unknown, far-flung destinations, it's hard to know what to pack. While you want to be prepared for every occasion and weather condition and still look stylish in the process, you need to pack smart and prioritise. So if you’re planning a trip to Buenos Aires soon, here is our guide to what to pack and when.
Dress for the season
Buenos Aires' location in the southern hemisphere can often confuse people. For those living in the northern hemisphere, the seasons in the southern hemisphere work in reverse and because of it’s southern location, it's often thought of as hot and tropical. On the contrary, the city has four seasons, which range from hot to cold and wet to dry.
Summer (December to February) is hot, hot, hot and humid. With temperatures reaching 35°C, you’re going to need light, breathable clothing for touring and shopping in Buenos Aires, so pack your cottons and linens and leave your polyester and nylon behind. At this time of year, insect repellent, sun cream, a stylish pair of sunglasses and sun hat are essential, as the mosquitoes are abundant and the sun is really strong. And when the heat gets too much, it's the perfect excuse to stop for a deliciously refreshing ice cream at one of the city's much-loved ‘heladerías’ (do like a local and try the dulce de leche flavour).
Spring (September to November) and Autumn (March to May) are pretty similar temperature wise with warm, sunny days and cool, fresh nights so pack a poncho or light jacket. Be warned, when it rains in Argentina, it pours so you might want to bring a raincoat and a travel umbrella.
Winter in Argentina (June to August) is deceivingly cold. The temperatures average 10°C during the days and can drop to as low as 1°C at night so take some warm clothing and your shades as the sun shines most days.
The Argentine style
When it comes to your wardrobe, the Argentine style is fashionable but casual, even in the evenings, so leave your really fancy attire at home. The Argentine man loves slim-fit jeans or chinos with a printed shirt and a pair of dapper leather shoes (but you might want to wait and buy yourself a new pair from one of the many talented men's shoe designers in Buenos Aires). Women can't go wrong with jeans, smart casual tops, and versatile dresses you can dress up or down (as they'll take up the least space in your suitcase and you don't have to think about matching top to bottom). To mix up your look, bring a few fun accessories but leave your very valuable watches and jewelry at home as petty crime is a problem in the city.
The best way to see the city is on foot so pack comfy footwear, plus the pavements around the city are notoriously uneven, so ladies leave behind the stilettos you’ll only wear once (no matter how fabulous they are) and stick to comfy flats and block heels or wedges.
Don't forget a travel adapter
There are two types of power sockets in Argentina, type C and type I and the standard voltage is 220 V.
Leave room for shopping
Of course you'll want to leave some room in your suitcase for shopping, whether it's a custom made leather jacket, a piece of limited edition handmade jewellery from a local Argentine jewellery designer or a beautifully soft llama wool blanket. We also recommend you come with plenty of cash in US dollars that you can either exchange for pesos or use to pay for goods. Cash is king in Buenos Aires and you'll often get a 10% to 15% discount for cash over credit card.
If you’d like some shopping assistance to explore Buenos Aires’ exclusive boutiques and hidden designer showrooms, click the button below for more information about our bespoke shopping trips and personal shopping services.