Buenos Aires (pop. 3 million in the city) is one of the most elegant and active cities in South America. A city of modern architecture, Buenos Aires is also known for its conservation of old traditions.

Buenos Aires lies in the “Pampas” (fertile plains), close to the coast, and is located on the edge of the great Río de la Plata. The Pampas are famous for the “gauchos,” or cowboys, who tend the land and raise cattle and horses there. Because Buenos Aires is a port city, the locals are named “porteños.” Many of Argentina’s inhabitants are descendants of Western European immigrants who traveled to Argentina in the mid 19th century. You will see the European influence in the architecture of the various suburbs of the city. La Boca’s rainbow-colored houses and San Telmo’s mixture of French and Italian styles are just a couple of examples.

Argentines are versatile and expressive and have a passion for discussing politics. In addition to the strong European influence, there are still a few indigenous communities, the largest being the Mapuche, Guaraní, Tobas and Matacos. Over a third of Argentina’s 34.3 million people reside in Gran Buenos Aires (Buenos Aires city and its suburbs in Buenos Aires province).

The identity of Buenos Aires has been influenced by different waves of immigration, providing the city with a cosmopolitan profile. Politeness and respect are closely linked with informal treatment. The normal greeting of men and women is a kiss on the cheek. Smiles, hugs, closeness when speaking and gestures are the most common and friendly way of communication.

Something to note is the use of “vos” (you) instead of the Spanish “tú” for informal treatment, and the use of “che” to address a person. The porteños easily understand Portuguese and most of them speak some English.

MATE
Mate, the characteristic porteño herbal tea infusion, mixes yerba mate with warm water, with or without sugar. This beverage is taken at any time of the day. Mate is a popular custom that has been a part of the culture of the Río de la Plata since the middle of the XVI century.

Buenos Aires is well-known for its many cultural offerings. Museums, cinemas, theatres and shows provide a variety of options for entertainment. Dramas, musical comedies, “teatro de revistas” (a sort of revue), guided tours and tango shows, are some of the options for all ages, all year round.

Both cinema and theatre represent two very important activities for the porteños. Currently, there are about 175 theatres and 200 cinemas. The Colón Theater, inaugurated in 1908, is the pride of the porteños. It has hosted, and still hosts, the most famous artists of national and international opera and ballet. Attractions and entertainment events have increased quite a bit during the last years in Buenos Aires. Important international chains, such as Cinemark, Hoyt’s, Showcase and Village Roadshow have been established in the city.

There is a great variety of museums. At present, there are more than 100, both public and private. Among the national museums, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts) is ranked at an international level and offers relatively inexpensive admittance. During 2001, the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA) (Buenos Aires Latin American Art Museum) was inaugurated. It has an important permanent collection of contemporary Latin American art in a spacious and modern building designed for that purpose.

The National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Decorative Art, the National Museum Isaac Fernández Blanco of Spanish American Art, the Museum of Modern Art and the Museum Eduardo Sívori of Plastic Art, as well as the National Culture Halls and the Borges Cultural Center, among others, frequently show very important circulating exhibits. The General San Martín, Recoleta and Ricardo Rojas Cultural Centers are important places where different expressions of national and international art are displayed.

The handicraft markets are one of the most picturesque pastimes of the city. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, artisans offer their crafts in different parks and squares. The Street-Museum Caminito, where 62 plastic artists exhibit their work in the open air, is one of the most important markets of its type in the world.

The San Pedro Telmo fair is one of the most important attractions in the city. On Sundays, Dorrego square (Humberto 1º and Defensa streets) fills with more than 270 stands attempting to sell various items such antiques. The surrounding bars put their tables on the street and all the area is crowded by musicians, singers, tango dancers and mimes, among others. The fair also organizes popular dances with the collaboration of the neighbors.

Other points of interest include:
Jardín Zoológico (Zoological Garden). Visitors from all over the world come to see the beautiful grounds and interesting variety of animals living in enclosures designed to reflect their places of origin.
Jardín Botánico (Botanical Garden). This is the most intimately bucolic area of the city of Buenos Aires, and its peacefulness contrasts with the busy traffic converging at the near-by Italia Square. The French landscape architect Carlos Thays turned this garden into his masterpiece. But the park provides even more surprises when the visitor discovers the sculptures scattered around. Originals or reproductions, those bronze and marble statues, set in the coolness of the fountains or surrounded by the magic vegetation, are one of the most intense aesthetic experiences offered by the city.

The Jardín Japonés (Japanese Garden) recreates the beauty and poetry of Oriental gardens. Plants, flowers, bridges and cascades are combined in subtle and pleasing corners, creating an atmosphere of colors and fragrances. For children, the attraction is on top of the bridges and in the lake, where they can see the colorful and lively “Karpas”, fish imported directly from Japan.

The Rosedal (Rose Garden), the Jardín de los Poetas (Garden of the Poets) and the Patio Andaluz (Andalusian Patio) are other interesting places in the area. Every day, the mateos "horse-drawn carriages" offer a ride through the Palermo woods, starting from the Zoo gate located in front of Italia Square.

“Ll”- the double L makes a “zhhh” sound, and not a “Y” sound like everywhere else. Similar to “Shh”. The name Yamila sounds like "Shamila".
acá - It means “aquí”
andar / “¿cómo andás?” - How are you doing?
apoliyar - to sleep
bagayo / bagarto - an ugly person
bajá un cambio- relax
basurear - treat somebody badly
birome - pen
canchero - cool person (but frecuently used in a negative way… “he pretends to be cool”).
chavón: guy (lunfardo)
ché - friend or dude (common use, it’s like “hey!” or “hey, dude!”)
chorro- pickpocket
colectivo- bus
concheto - snobby person
copado - cool, a good thing, a nice thing or person. Especially applied to people, places and occasions like parties.
despelote - a mess
el viejo- dad, my old man
está chapita- he/she's nuts
facultad- school
feca - a cup of coffee
fiaca - lazyness.
flaco/a - something you would call your girlfriend or friend.
frutilla- strawberry
gauchada - a favour
gil- dumb
guita- money (lunfardo)
hacer la gamba - to help some one.
heladera- fridge
hincha- fan
hinchada- fans
hinchar- to bother
kiosko- small market specially for cigarettes and sweets
la vieja- mom
laburo- job (lunfardo)
le falta un jugador!- he/she's nuts
listo- ok, sounds good
macanudo- super, terrific
maestro/a - master, but it is used like “you’re the man or woman”.
mamado- drunk (lunfardo)
mango- money (two mangos are two pesos)
manteca- butter
obvio - it means obviously, but is no rude or snooty to say like it is in USA.
pancho- hot dog
patota - a group of violent people who bother people in the streets.pava: kettle
pilchas- clothes
pileta- swimming pool
piña- punch
plata- money
pollera- skirt
ponete las pilas- motivate
pub- bar
pucho- cigarette (lunfardo)
regio- great!
remera- t shirt
sorry - it means sorry, but is a trendy way to say it.
tacho- taxi, cab (lunfardo)
tarado- stupid
tarta- salty (ex. Quiche)
torta- cake
trolo- gay
trucho - fake, phony, made up, false, artificial, ersatz /a scammer, a quack.
un chorro de- a lot of
un flash - cool or great.
vago- slacker
vaquita - the action and result of collecting money (“hacer una vaquita”) among friends, workmates, etc.
viejo/a - padre, madre, girlfriend, boyfriend, or friend in general.
vos - They don’t use “tú” in Argentina.
yanqui- american
yerba mate: herb tea
zafar - to escape from someone or a situation / pass an exam (but not with a good grade).