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Gay Buenos Aires: where to stay, eat, party & more

Stefan Arestis
Gay Buenos Aires: where to stay, eat, party & more

Our gay guide to Buenos Aires with the best gay hotels, our top pick of gay parties, things to do, and practical safety tips.

Fresh off the plane, our Porteño friends Pablo and Gustavo welcomed us, and took us straight to a restaurant in Palermo so we could have our first taster of the famous Argentinian steak.

At that moment, we knew we were going to enjoy this city a lot!

We've been to BA several times during our big trip across Latin America, using it as a base. This allowed us to really explore the best of the gay scene and make lots of local friends along the way.

We've taken all this info and bundled it up to create this bumper gay guide to the Buenos Aires gay scene including the best hotels to stay, gay hangouts, events, things to do, and more. One thing we can confidently say is whoever you are, whatever you're into, you're in for a treat in Buenos Aires.

Heads up: We just wanted to let you know that this post contains affiliate links. That means if you book something through one of those links, we'll get a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep our blog going – so thank you in advance for your support! ♥

Discover the gay scene of buenos aires on a gay tour

Discover the gay bars of Buenos Aires with an LGBTQ local…

A gay tour of Buenos Aires is a unique experience and a fantastic way to make new friends from all over the world. You'll be greeted by a gay local, who'll take you to the best gay bars in Buenos Aires for an unforgettable night out!

Fill out this form to check availability for your gay night tour of Buenos Aires.

Is Buenos Aires safe for gay travelers?

Buenos Aires is overall a gay friendly and safe city to visit as long as you stay within the main tourist trail. It has a large gay scene and one of the largest gay Prides in Latin America. Argentina itself ranks as one of the most gay friendly countries in the world in our humble opinion with very progressive LGBTQ laws.

Homosexuality in Argentina has been legal here since 1853, loooong before the UK in 1967 and the USA in 2003. It was also the first country in Latin America to legalize gay marriage in July 2010, which included full adoption rights.

When we arrived at our hotel in San Telmo, we were told by the reception staff and a few other locals that the city is extremely dangerous for first-timers and we should take care, avoiding going out alone after 6 pm. In hindsight, we realised Buenos Aires is no different than New York, London, Paris or Barcelona. It goes without saying that gay travelers should keep their wits about them and avoid dodgy neighborhoods like Boca at night. If anything, we found Buenos Aires to be one of the safest cities in South America.

All the hotels we stayed at in Buenos Aires welcomed us as a gay couple without ever questioning our choice of a double bed. Is there a gay neighborhood?

Unlike the gay scene of Montreal, there is no exact gay village in Buenos Aires, but Palermo is considered to be the main gay area of Buenos Aires. The majority of the gay bars and clubs can be found here, with pockets of fabulousness spread further afield in the Villa Crespo, Retiro, Recoleta, and San Telmo neighborhoods. Palermo is also very residential, which makes it the ideal base.

The majority of the main tourist sites are spread across Recoleta, Retiro, and San Telmo, which are all very easily accessible from Palermo via the city's metro system or taxi. We relied on Uber in Buenos Aires, but be warned that officially Uber is “not legal”, so your driver will ask one to sit in the front so it doesn't look like a taxi service.

Flying to Buenos Aires soon?

Landing in a new country can be quite stressful and the last thing you want is to be stuck in a long queue waiting for a taxi… Buenos Aires is a busy airport and you can sometimes wait for a long time before you find a taxi. Book your private transfer now with an English-speaking driver and start your trip worry-free.

Where to stay in Buenos Aires

Whilst the majority of the best gay nightlife in Buenos Aires is in Palermo, we think some of the best gay friendly hotels can be found further afield, particularly in San Telmo, Puerto Madero, and Recoleta.

We've included a few options in Palermo we tried out for those who do want to be based here. Check out Airbnb or Misterbnb for apartments to stay in Palermo if you prefer to rent your own place and also be sure to hit up our detailed guide to the best gay hotels in Buenos Aires.

01

Faena Hotel

Puerto Madero

Faena's rooms are lovely for this amazing gay friendly hotel in Buenos Aires
Faena Hotel: the ultimate luxurious place to stay in Buenos Aires

Why we love it


  • Large, luxurious rooms
  • Gorgeous pool with bar
  • Unicorns & chandeliers in Bistro Sur!
  • Home to the famous Madero Tango show

Faena is one of the most luxurious gay friendly hotels to stay in Buenos Aires, located in the “Puerto Madero” neighborhood, which overlooks the Rio de la Plata.

It's a massive space, decorated in classic European design with a modern twist; lots of red, white, and dark woods. There are also some very quirky unicorn decorations (and beautiful chandeliers) in Bistro Sur. If you're staying here, make sure to go to one of their Madero Tango dinner shows; it's touristic but one of those things you cannot miss when in Buenos Aires.

The rooms at Faena are large and lush – the epitome of decadence. The best rooms are the ones overlooking the river and the iconic “El Puente de La Mujer” bridge.

Puerto Madero has a lot of green space, which is ideal for hiking and biking. The area around Faena Hotel, particularly along the river bank is perfect for morning jogs. We made a point of doing this every morning as it's a great way to explore the neighborhood, whilst burning off those dulce de leche calories…!

STAY WITH A GAY LOCAL

Misterb&b is the Airbnb equivalent for the LGBTQ community. Unlike on Airbnb, you know your host is gay, voiding any nasty surprises when you check-in. It is also a great way to meet gay locals and discover the underground gay scene. Click below to get 10 € (or $10) off our first booking.

02

Mio Hotel

Recoleta

Our room at the Mio gay hotel in Buenos Aires
Our hotel room at Mio…check out the carved wooden bathtub

Why we love it


  • Carved wooden bathtubs
  • Local art and cool design
  • Luxurious spa with a giant Jacuzzi
  • Hotel library with drinks and music

Mio Hotel is one beautiful hotel. You will swoon from the moment you enter – it just oozes class from every crevice. Even the cute hotel staff will charm the pants off you.

It's also an art hotel so you will see regular art exhibitions featuring local artists. Even the lobby is a work of art, with giant butterflies and a plant-wall!

The rooms are elegantly designed to offer intimacy and luxury. The carved wooden bathtub is the crowning glory center piece where Sebastien spent many hours deliberating over life's most existential issues.

There's also a library where you can order drinks and listen to music while reading. For some extra pampering, we love the spa with a giant jacuzzi and a variety of treatments available.

Mio is located in well-to-do Recoleta, close to the famous Evita cemetery and the large metallic Floralis flower. There are many excellent restaurants nearby such as the highly-rated Fervor, the more local Rodi Bar, and the very plush Italian La Pecora Nera.

03

Patios De San Telmo

San Telmo

Courtyard of the Patios San Telmo gay hotel in Buenos Aires
Stefan fitting in with the quirky decor of the Patios San Telmo

Why we love it


  • Very quirky artwork
  • Great location in San Telmo
  • Beautifully renovated historical tenement
  • Rooftop pool

Patios de San Telmo is a stylish and chic boutique hotel, which was originally used as a family home in the 1860s, but subsequently abandoned due to the Yellow Fever epidemic.

It has since been restored to its former glory and converted into a hotel with the original features still in place as well as added amenities such as a rooftop pool.

We love the high doors and ceilings as well as the really quirky art exhibitions on display…look out for the, er, horse installation with its head coming out of its backside!

Breakfast is complimentary and the hotel even caters to guests with dietary requirements such as celiac disease, if ordered in advance. The pretty garden patios are the perfect place to relax away from the bustle of the city.

The Patios de San Telmo is located right in the heart of San Telmo, which is our favorite neighborhood of Buenos Aires. You're minutes walking distance to the vibrant Sunday market as well as the Pride Cafe and the Tuesday queer tango classes of Maldita Milonga.

04

LGY G A Y Bed & Breakfast

San Telmo

Lugar Gay Bed and Breakfast is an exclusively gay-male budget accommodation option in Buenos Aires.
The rooftop terrace is perfect for sunbathing.

Why we love it


  • Exclusively for gay men
  • A rooftop terrace and hot tub
  • Free breakfast
  • Excellent budget option

LGY G A Y is a male-only gay hostel in Buenos Aires. As a bonus, it's in our favorite neighborhood – San Telmo.

Just be warned, this isn't particularly luxurious: the rooms are basic and you'll have to carry your suitcases up lots of staircases to reach it. But if you want a decent gay budget place to stay, then this is it!

LGY G A Y is kind of a mix between a hotel and a hostel so even though it's a budget option you can still expect a daily room-cleaning service, fresh towels, and a yummy complimentary breakfast.

The staff are terrific and really make you feel welcome. Solo gay travelers will particularly love LGY G A Y because it's so easy to make friends here.

There's a shared kitchen, lounge, library, and mini-gym available for all guests. Make sure you also check out their rooftop terrace, complete with a hot tub!


Gay bars to start the party

There's a handful of gay bars spread out throughout Buenos Aires, but you'll find the majority of the gay scene in Palermo. Just remember that Argentinians start the night very late, so most places don't get busy until after 11 pm. These are a few of our favorite gay bars in Buenos Aires, but be sure to check out our detailed guide to the best gay bars in Buenos Aires for a more comprehensive list.

Peuteo

A small “hetero-friendly” unassuming video bar. It's super cozy and friendly, but the drinks here are quite expensive compared to the other bars. The best time to visit is on weekends. The name “Peuteo” is a play on the naughty Spanish slang word, puto. We'll leave it to you to discover what that means…! Peuteo is open Wednesday to Sunday from 9 pm to around 5 am and is located at Gurruchaga 1867 in Palermo.

KM Zero

One of the only gay bars in Buenos Aires that is open every day of the week, although it's busier at weekends. KM Zero is a basement bar featuring a range of drag shows and quirky acts like ꜱtriþpers dressed as aliens. It's open daily from midnight until 7 am and is located at Avenida Santa Fe 2516 in Recoleta.

Hilarious drag queens at Sitges gay bar in Buenos Aires
Drag acts Gonzalo Costa and Diego Moyano at Glam

Gay clubs of Buenos Aires

As we said earlier, Argentinians do things veeery late, just like in Spain. Dinner is from 9 pm onwards, and going out for drinks doesn't happen till after 11 pm, so for clubs, you don't want to be thinking of heading there until at least 1 am – 2 am, otherwise, you'll be waiting by yourself for quite a while! As a result, the gay nightlife of Buenos Aires goes on until the early hours of the next morning. We strongly advise having a siesta if you're planning to go out partying in Buenos Aires. We certainly did and felt better for it!

These are a handful of our favorite gay clubs in Buenos Aires:

  • Glam: definitely the best gay night out in the city in our humble opinion. It has the perfect mix of a cool crowd who are mainly in their 20s and 30s. It's large, spread over 2 rooms, one for electronic music, the other for Latino pop. They also feature live shows with dancers throughout the night. Glam is open every Thursday to Monday evening (closed Tues/Weds) from midnight till 6:30 am and is located at Cabrera 3046 in Recoleta.
  • Contramano: is the most popular bear club in Buenos Aires. It's only open on weekends, but nights out here are always a laugh with a really friendly crowd. Unlike Glam, the people at Contramano are generally a lot older, mainly in their 30s/40s+. For us, the highlight is the music. We are pop kids at heart and they're always on point here with the best Latino pop hits that every good gay boy wants to hear! The entry includes a free drink: the popular one that all the cool kids here drink is called “Speed” – it's Argentinian red bull with vodka. Contramano is open on Friday-Sunday only, from midnight till 6 am, and is located at Rodriguez Peña 1082 in Recoleta.
  • Amerika Disco: the largest gay club in Buenos Aires, and second after Theatron in Bogota, one of the largest in South America. This place is massive, with 3 floors and 3 separate dance areas attracting around 2,000 people every weekend. The crowd is generally quite mixed; expect to see lots of handsome Porteños here! They have a famous bear night every other Saturday evening. Amerika is only open on Friday to Sunday from midnight until around 7 am and is located at Gascon 1040 in the Almagro neighborhood.
  • Fiesta Plop: popular parties with a young crowd every weekend at Teatro Vorterixm. They have live DJs, dancer shows, and a mix of pop hits and Latin music like cumbia (similar to salsa). Fiesta Plop parties usually happen every Friday evening but look out for other ad hoc events that take place during large events like Pride. Teatro Vorterixm is located where Federico Lacroze and Alvarez Thomas streets meet in Palermo.
The dream team boys at the very cool Contramanos gay club
Stefan bear posing with some of our friendly pals at Contramano gay club

Cool cafes in Buenos Aires

The main gay cafe in Buenos Aires is Pride in San Telmo – one of our favorite gay hangouts in what we think is the most exciting area of BA.

  • Pride Café: one of the most famous gay hangouts of Buenos Aires and one we love coming to, especially on Sundays after shopping at the famous San Telmo market. Tip from us: their dulce de leche brownie is DIVINE! Pride is located at Balcarce 869 in San Telmo and is open daily until 8 pm.
  • Maricafe: shop, cafe, and LGBTQ bookstore all in one. Fancy a rainbow cake and a new rainbow mug? Buy it here! Want to catch the latest episode of Ru Paul's Drag Race? This place has the city's best viewing parties for it. Maricafe is located at Honduras 4096 in Palermo and is open daily from 10 am till 9 pm (weekends till 2 am).
  • Gout Cafe: another “hetero-friendly” cafe in Buenos Aires. Not as famous as Pride, but more notorious for its gluten-free menu (and delicious coffee). Gout is located at Montevideo 1480 in Recoleta and is open daily from morning to 8 pm.
  • El Patio de la Casona: is a tiny hidden cafe tucked away in a courtyard in San Telmo. We stumbled on it during the Sunday market when we were looking for a space to chill out from the crowds and noticed the rainbow flag flying outside. It's not as popular or well known as Pride, but still worth a visit, if anything for the super Instagrammable courtyard surrounding it. El Patio is located at Defense 1179 Local 9 in San Telmo.
Famous brownies at the Pride gay cafe in San Telmo
The dulce de leche brownie at Pride Cafe is legendary! 

Milongas for queer tango

What's the first thing you think about when you come to Buenos Aires other than Madonna's Evita? Tango!

At its inception in the 1880s, tango was originally danced between 2 men in the back alleys of Buenos Aires. This is because there was a shortage of women at the time amongst the immigrant population. So the only way for men to get with a woman was by paying her or impressing her with some sultry dance moves. Therefore, the men practiced with each other.

 

Sadly, since the late 1800s, male tango dancing got lost in Buenos Aires… until 2002, when queer tango milongas (tango clubs) set up, offering classes for the LGBT community. The 2 best and most popular ones are:

  • Tango Queer: queer tango class happens every Tuesday evening from 8:30 pm followed by freestyle dancing and a live show. It takes place at the Maldita Milonga, located at Perú 571 in San Telmo.
  • La Marshall has a queer tango class every Wednesday evening from 8:30 pm, with freestyle dancing happening late into the night. La Marshall is located at Yatay 961 in Villa Crespo.
Learn gay tango with an experienced teacher in Buenos aires

Learn to dance tango

Gazing into your partner's eyes, grasping his hands, and allowing yourself to be guided by tantalizing music is one of the most sensual experiences one can have. Take a private tango lesson with a professional dancer to learn the steps of this very powerful dance.

Find out more

Gay travel agent in Buenos Aires

If you have very little time for travel planning, we highly recommend using a personalized concierge service who can take care of all the minutiae of your trip.

The excellent gay travel agent Ursula Hosting is offering our readers an exclusive 5% discount on their services, giving you the luxury of being able to delegate all the travel planning of your trip to them. Fill out the form below to get a free consultation from Ursula hosting:

I WANT A PERSONALISED ITINERARY

Fill out this form to get a personalized itinerary and get an exclusive 5% discount for your trip to Buenos Aires and the rest of Argentina.

You can also contact Ursula Hosting directly, but don't forget to mention the promo code NomadicUH5 to get a 5% discount.

Our favorite restaurants in Buenos Aires

These are some of the best gay restaurants we visited in Buenos Aires, including gay owned and gay friendly/mixed:

  • Pride Cafe: we mention it again because it's also a great bunch spot. Highlights include the pork loin sandwich, Eggs Benedict, and different salads. Pride Cafe is open daily from morning till around 8 pm, so it's perfect for late breakfast and lunch.
  • Lo De Jesús: not only one of the best parilla (steak house) in Buenos Aires, one of the most gay friendly. It's located in the heart of the Palermo gay scene so it gets a large LGBTQ crowd dining here. For us, the steak and wine choices were always on point. The staff are also super friendly and can give you tips about the gay scene and best things to do in the city. Lo De Jesús is open daily from 11am to 1am (till 2am on weekends), and is located at Gurruchaga 1406 in Palermo.
  • Caldén del Soho: another parilla gem in Palermo we loved. It's large, so you can turn up without a reservation, but we found the service to be less personable than at Lo De Jesús. Caldén del Soho is open for lunch from 12-5 pm and then for dinner from 7 pm till after midnight. It's located in Honduras 4701 in Palermo.
  • Buenos Aires Verde Restaurant: after the obligatory meat fix, you may crave a vegetarian meal. This is also one of the best vegan restaurants in Buenos Aires for vegans. It's quite cozy and gets really busy so make sure you book ahead. It is open every day except Sunday from 9 am to midnight and is located at Calle Jose Ignacio Gorriti 5657 in Palermo.
Food tour of Buenos aires Nomadic Boys

Must do in Buenos Aires: Food Tour

Discover the flavors of Argentina on a 3-hour walking tour of the Recoleta neighborhood in Buenos Aires. Eat like a Porteño, and learn more about the gastronomic culture of Argentina, with food and wine tastings!

Find out more

Lo De Jesus is one of our favourite gay restaurants in Buenos Aires
The gays take over the Lo De Jesus parilla in Palermo

LGBTQ events in Buenos Aires

As well as having one of the best gay prides in Latin America, Buenos Aires has a few other gay events worth checking out, all of which take place in November:

  • Asterisco Film Festival: the city's LGBTIQ film festival takes place in early November. It showcases the best movies about diversity and unites both filmmakers and activists.
  • Buenos Aires Gay Pride: the annual Marcha del Orgullo is one of the largest gay pride events in South America, attracting around 200,000 people, and is the city's largest street party. Pride always takes place in the Plaza de Mayo.
  • Queer Tango Festival: every November, this 5-day festival takes place, which has grown to become one of the city's most unique and important dance events. It includes performances, lessons and numerous workshops hosted by several milongas.

Our top experiences in Buenos Aires

Whilst Buenos Aires is guaranteed to fulfill all steak, Evita, and tango cravings, you will no doubt have before touching down, we've set out a comprehensive list to include the obvious and not-so-obvious sites, experiences, and highlights you should check out:

Feria de San Telmo

San Telmo Sunday market is a must do for gay travellers when visiting Buenos Aires
Sebastien pondering his next move at San Telmo's Sunday market

We love the Feria de San Telmo. It's our favorite neighborhood, always bursting with character, and full of history, and street art. The cherry on top is this terrific not-to-miss Sunday market. The cobblestone streets of the neighborhood are lined with antique and souvenir sellers. Buskers and tango dancers perform on almost every other street corner, adding to the intensely colorful atmosphere. This is a definite must-see in the city. We completely fell in love with it and are certain you will too.


Watch a tango show

Madero Tango show is one of the best gay things to do in Buenos Aires
We want to sleep with everyone on this stage! Some of the most handsome ans impressive dancers we've ever seen at the Madero Tango show

A candlelit dinner while watching a tango show is one of the best memories we have of Buenos Aires. There are many places offering tango shows with dinner but our favorite is Madero Tango. The food is a delicious mix of Argentinian classics and the show is based on a story of the evolution of tango with very impressive dancers. The location is at the bottom end of the Puerto Madero neighborhood, so you get some pretty stunning night views across the river when it's all lit up. Also at the end of the show, the performers offer a dance class as part of the experience so you can learn the basic moves to show off back home.


Casa Rosada

Gay travellers to Buenos Aires won't want to miss the chance to step foot on THAT balcony at the Casa Rosada.
The pink parliament building, where Eva Peron gave her most famous speech.

The Casa Rosada is the executive mansion and office of the President of Argentina but you may know it as the pink building where Evita Madonna sang THAT famous anthem! It's considered one of the most emblematic buildings in Buenos Aires and has been declared a National Historic Monument of Argentina. If you'd like to visit (and even step onto that balcony) you can do so via this private tour which teaches you all about Eva Peron's life and work.


Recoleta Cemetery

Gay guide to Buenos Aires - see the final resting place of Eva Peron and other famous Argentinians at Recoleta Cemetery.
The amazing Recoleta Cemetery for extravagant and often famous graves.

This is where Evita's grave can be found along with many other incredibly dramatic and extravagant ones. The Recoleta Cemetery is like a maze, with hundreds of tombs under tiny stone houses and miniature churches. It's quite a sight to behold and is supposedly haunted as well. We recommend joining this tour to see a few different sights in the area, including wandering around this fascinating and beautiful cemetery.


Floralis Génerica

Gay Buenos Aires - don't miss the giant flower of Floralis Generica.
See the petals open and close on the giant flower, Floralis Generica.

The iconic metallic flower of the city is located in the Plaza de las Naciones Unidas in Recoleta. The enormous silver flower blooms in a pool of water next to the National Museum of Fine Arts weighs 18 tonnes and is 75 feet wide. It opens its 13-meter-long petals at 8 am in the morning and closes them up again at sunset. The opening and closing take about 20 minutes and is definitely a sight not to be missed. This cycling tour will take you through all the main landmarks of Buenos Aires including Floralis Generica.


Boca Neighbourhood

The barrios of Boca and Caminito are colourful and fun for gay visitors to Buenos Aires.
The colourful neighbourhood of Caminito.

La Boca is a vibrant part of the city filled with art galleries, museums, and tango street performances. Make sure you check out the cute colorful street of Caminito which is a traditional alley and street museum. Boca is also home to La Bombonera stadium, one of the most popular soccer stadiums in South America. To make the most of the La Boca neighborhood, we recommend hiring a private guide who will tell you all about its rich history and show you the highlights.


Puerto Madero

Puerto Madero is a very romantic area to visit for gay couples
The romantic atmosphere of Puerto Madero by night including the reflection of Puente de la Mujer

The old port of Buenos Aires was recently revamped into a very cool neighborhood with lots of bars and restaurants. An evening walk here when it's lit up is quite simply magical, especially with the view of the iconic Puente de la Mujer bridge. This barrio is also home to two nautical museums on ships, perfect for ship enthusiasts or those who just want to take some great photos of the Buenos Aires skyline. For nature lovers, there's a huge ecological reserve filled with running and cycling paths so you can burn off some of the calories from all the amazing food you'll be eating!


Take a Cooking Class

 

The Argentine experience is the ultimate cooking class in the city! We came here with a group of friends and had an amazing evening. We had an empanada contest (sadly we didn't win) and learned how to prepare the perfect mate (popular bitter tea drunk everywhere in Argentina). But the highlight for our greedy Seby was when the ubiquitous dulce de leche (caramelized condensed milk) made its appearance and he learned to put together alfajor de maicena cookies! Book your own culinary adventure here.


Teatro Colon

A show at the beautiful Teatro Colon opera house is a must for travellers exploring the gay scene in Buenos Aires.
Inside the beautiful opera house of Teatro Colon.

The Teatro Colon is the main opera house in Buenos Aires and is considered to be one of the best opera houses in the world. It's beautiful to look at inside and out. But the real highlight is to see and hear a performance at Teatro Colon. Even Pavarotti agrees that acoustics make it one of the best live performance venues in the world! Why not book a small-group tour of the city and see inside this stunning building on the way?


Learn to play polo at a traditional Estancia

Playing Polo is a very fun thing to do for those visiting gay Buenos Aires
A quick team pep talk during our polo match

We had a fun day out in the countryside learning to play polo in an estancia. The experience is set in a traditional estancia (cattle ranch) where we got a flavor of the gaucho culture, enjoyed a Sunday asado and of course, played lots of polo. Polo is like hockey, except on a horse, and quite difficult because you have to really reach down from your horse with your stick to hit the ball. After winning the polo match, we shared a bountiful asado (Argentinian barbecue party) with the players, washed down with Malbec and lots of polo banter. Book your own experience and feel like a real gaucho here!



Cool day trips from the city

Tigre Delta day trip

Gay Buenos Aires - take a fun day trip to the Tigre Delta region.

This day trip takes you to the unique suburb built around the swampy land where the Rio Paraná empties into the Rio de la Plata. You'll be able to take a boat ride on the delta and view the homes on stilts, stately mansions, and museums of the area. It's also just a great way to see a different way of life than the bustling city of Buenos Aires and you may even get to rub shoulders with celebrities like Madonna, who sometimes holidays there!


Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay

Gay travel in Buenos Aires - you can even visit Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay as a day trip.

Explore parts of Uruguay on a day trip from Buenos Aires, by joining this tour which will take you to the historic town of Colonia del Sacramento. Explore the UNESCO world heritage architecture, quiet cobbled streets, and miles of nearby beaches for a day away from the hub of Buenos Aires. Uruguayans are some of the friendliest people in Latin America, so you'll also be able to expect a very warm welcome to this peninsula town.


Montevideo in Uruguay

Gay travellers to Buenos Aires should definitely take a day trip to Montevideo if you have time!

Another great option for a day trip from Buenos Aires is this one to Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. You'll be able to travel by ferry along the River Plate and spend the day experiencing this unique city which is surrounded by a ring of beaches! There's plenty to do apart from sunbathing, as Montevideo is full of culture such as theatres, singers, musicians, Tango, museums, and art galleries. It's also a wonderful place to visit during Carnival in February for amazing street shows.


Tips to prepare for your trip to Buenos Aires

We've put together some handy hints and tips to help you plan your own trip to Buenos Aires. Read on to find out everything the gay traveler should know before they go.

Travel insurance: We always recommend travel insurance so that you will be protected in the case of injury, illness, theft, or cancellations beyond your control. We've been using Heymondo for years and cannot recommend them highly enough. Their coverage is very comprehensive and it's easy to make a claim online.


Visa requirements: Travelers from most EU countries, the USA, Canada, and Australia don't need a visa to stay in Argentina for up to 90 days as a tourist. You will, however, need to show that you have a return/onward travel ticket if you arrive by plane and, of course, a passport that's valid for at least six months from when you arrive. Go here for more information about visa requirements for travel to Argentina.


How to get there: Most people fly to Buenos Aires via one of the 3 airports in the city. The international one is called Ministro Pistarini International Airport and is located in Ezeiza, about 32km from the city center. Taxis are available at all airports and there are buses available from the two biggest ones. We recommend pre-booking a private transfer with an English-speaking driver to avoid queues at the airport and start your trip worry-free.


Getting around: Within the city of Buenos Aires, the easiest ways to get around are by walking, cycling (there's a very cool bike-hire scheme), buses, taxis, or the Subte (subway system). If you are traveling further out of the city then you might use a train or a ferry. To travel on the Subte you'll need a rechargeable Subte card which can be bought from Subte stations, tourist assistance centers, and many “kioskos”. On buses, you can tell the driver where you are going and they will choose the correct fare for you. For more info about transport within Buenos Aires have a look at this website.


Safety and Security: No matter where you are, you can encounter danger when traveling. We like to use the CloseCircle “virtual bodyguard” app when we're abroad, as they can provide support or security alerts wherever you are. Their service covers everything from advice to evacuation in the case of weather emergencies or unforeseen events. Read more about why we love CloseCircle in our article on how travelers can stay safe.


Currency: the currency used in Buenos Aires (and throughout Argentina) is the Argentine Peso, which is abbreviated to ARS. €1 is worth around 48.50 Argentine Pesos and $1 is about 43.25 pesos.


Tipping culture: In general tipping is not expected in Argentina, although in places like hotels you may receive slightly better service if you leave a few pesos out for the staff. For things like tours, to give around 100 pesos (which is only about $2) is considered a normal amount if you found the service good. In restaurants, around 10% of your bill is the norm for good service.


Online privacy: Argentina is one of the most gay-friendly countries with very progressive laws. You will not have to worry about using gay dating apps like Scruff or Grindr. We recommend ExpressVPN for travelers who wish to keep their internet activities private, it's affordable and reliable.


Accommodation: There are so many accommodation options in Buenos Aires, as you may have seen from our posts! We love to use Booking.com when deciding where to stay because they have an extensive selection and the best prices. They also provide excellent 24/7 customer support if needed and free cancellation for most listings.


Sightseeing and adventure: We've mentioned a few fun things to do in Buenos Aires here, but if you're looking for more, we love to use GetYourGuide.com. The booking process is easy, there are countless cool activities to choose from, and their 24-hour customer support is excellent.


When to visit: Buenos Aires can be visited all year round. However, the best times to visit are during spring (September – December) or autumn (April-June) when the weather will be mild and there won't be as many tourists (shoulder season). Summer in Buenos Aires will be filled with tourists, prices will be high and the heat/humidity can also be oppressive. During winter it can get cold and rainy.


Gay map of Buenos Aires

Here's a gay map of Buenos Aires which includes all the gay bars, clubs, hotels, and sightseeing highlights we've mentioned in this post. Use it to plan your own amazing gay trip to Buenos Aires!

Our map showing all the best gay hotels, gay bars, gay clubs, gay saunas, gay friendly restaurants and things to do in Buenos Aires!

For more inspiration:

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This is our Pinterest cover pic for our Gay travel guide to Buenos Aires
Stefan Arestis

Hey everyone, I'm Stefan, the curly-haired Greek flavor behind the gay travel blog Nomadic Boys. Together with my other half, I have explored more than 90 countries across 5 continents. What I love most about traveling is discovering the local gay scene, making new friends, learning new cultures. I've written about LGBTQ travel in numerous online publications such as Gaycation Magazine, Gaycities, Gay Times and Pink News as well as for other non-gay-specific publications including Lonely Planet, The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Huffington Post. Check my full bio here.

Kenneth Mau

Sunday 20th of September 2020

I loved this sight, we will be staying in Buenos Aires for two weeks in Feb 2022 and leaving on a cruise ship and this sight has helped me find were to stay and what to do.

Stefan Arestis

Sunday 20th of September 2020

I'm so pleased we were able to help! XXXXXX

Rey

Tuesday 19th of November 2019

Hey guys,

Great info on BA! Helped me a lot! Minor edit: pepo pepina is only open Wednesday to Sunday.

Cheers

Stefan Arestis

Wednesday 20th of November 2019

Thanks Rey! Have updated our guide :)

Ian

Wednesday 3rd of July 2019

Thanks for compiling this guide. My boyfriend and I will be flying to Buenos Aires in August (hopefully it won't be too cold and wet!) and your tips have been very useful.

Nomadic Boys

Thursday 4th of July 2019

So pleased :)

rafael

Sunday 20th of January 2019

thanks for the info guys

Nomadic boys

Sunday 20th of January 2019

Our pleasure :)

Sebastian Bach

Monday 9th of April 2018

Keep Posting guys, you both are amazing made for each other.

Nomadic boys

Tuesday 10th of April 2018

Thanks buddy :)