Days
10
9 nights
Crew
3 bros
1 JFK · 2 ORD
Route
🇦🇷 → 🇨🇱
5 nt BA · 4 nt Santiago
Key Dates
🥩 Don Julio Thu 4/30
+ Labor Day Fri · SCL Wed 5/6
🌡 Day-by-Day Weather Forecast
Pulled 2026-04-17 · confidence ~70% · re-check 3 days before travel
🇦🇷 Buenos Aires · °F
Source: open-meteo.com LIVE forecast API · pulled 2026-04-17 · 16-day horizon · May 2-3 = climate avg
| Date | Hi / Lo °F | Conditions | Rain | Wind | Mapped Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 4/28 | 63° / 58° | ☁️ Overcast | 13% | 12 mph | Arrive EZE · light day · Don Julio dinner 9pm |
| Wed 4/29 | 66° / 56° | ☁️ Overcast · windy | 16% | 22 mph | Recoleta Cemetery · MALBA · La Carnicería |
| Thu 4/30 | 64° / 50° | ⛅ Partly cloudy | 26% | 18 mph | Shopping Calle Murillo · Don Julio 8pm + Club 69 🔥 |
| Fri 5/1 | 68° / 54° | 🌤 Mostly clear | 17% | 14 mph | Labor Day · Bosques · Arjona concert 8pm |
| Sat 5/2 | ~66° / 54°* | Climate avg · likely pleasant | ~15%* | — | Palermo walking · Anchoíta · Crobar 1am |
| Sun 5/3 | ~63° / 51°* | Climate avg · mostly sunny | ~10%* | — | San Telmo Sunday Feria AM · fly AEP→SCL PM |
🍂 Peak autumn foliage Apr/May · Bosques de Palermo, Reserva Ecológica · evenings 50°F · light jacket must · * = climate avg, forecast range ends 5/1
🇨🇱 Santiago · °F
Source: open-meteo.com · May 3-7 beyond 16-day horizon · using climate avg · re-check 2 days before arrival
| Date | Hi / Lo °F | Conditions | Rain | Mapped Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 5/3 | ~68° / 50°* | ☀️ Sunny · AM haze | ~5% | Arrive SCL PM · Chipe Libre pisco · Lastarria dinner |
| Mon 5/4 | ~68° / 46°* | ☀️ Clear · cold night | ~5% | 🎯 Valparaíso day · cerros + La Sebastiana |
| Tue 5/5 | ~73° / 49°* | ☀️ Warmest · sharp Andes | <5% | 🏔 Cajón del Maipo OR Maipo wine |
| Wed 5/6 | ~67° / 46°* | ⛅ Partly cloudy | ~10% | City · Cerro SC · Museo · Bar Constitución + Club Chocolate 🔥 |
| Thu 5/7 | ~68° / 50°* | ⛅ Partly cloudy | ~15% | Barrio Italia brunch · depart SCL PM |
⚠️ * = climate averages from WeatherSpark · re-pull Open-Meteo 5/1 for live SCL forecast · Cajón above 6,500 ft freezes overnight · early May smog mornings possible
🛫 Flight Schedule
All times local · everyone meets in BA on Apr 28 morning
✈️ OUTBOUND · Tue Apr 28 · US → Buenos Aires
Traveler A · from JFK
AA 953 · JFK → EZE · nonstop
Depart JFK 9:40 PM EDT · Arrive EZE 10:40 AM ART (next day)
Duration 11h · American Airlines
Travelers B + C · from ORD
UA 1892 + UA 847 · ORD → IAH → EZE
Depart ORD 2:30 PM CDT · 2h15m at IAH · Arrive EZE 8:20 AM ART (next day)
Total duration 14h 50m · United Airlines
🎉 Group rendezvous: All 3 land EZE morning Apr 29 between 8am-11am · meet at hotel in Palermo
✈️ INTRA · Sun May 3 · BA → Santiago
All 3
LATAM · AEP → SCL · nonstop
Morning departure · ~2h 15m · arrive Santiago afternoon
Cross the Andes · sunny side right for mountain views
🛫 RETURN · Thu May 7 · Santiago → Home
Split flights direct to home hubs · no more connecting in MIA
Traveler A
SCL → JFK · nonstop
Evening departure · arrive JFK next morning · ~10h nonstop
Delta or LATAM (verify closer to booking)
Travelers B + C
UA · SCL → IAH → ORD
Evening departure · ~2h at IAH · arrive Chicago next afternoon
United all the way · one PNR · baggage through-checked
🎉 All 3 land home same day May 8 · A in NYC · B+C in Chicago
🗓 Day-by-Day
5 nights Buenos Aires · 4 nights Santiago · 2 countries · zero visas
TUE4/28
🇦🇷 Day 1 · Arrive Buenos Aires
All 3 land morning · Don Julio dinner (if booked)
TUE
4/28
🇦🇷 Day 1 · Arrive Buenos Aires
All 3 land morning · Don Julio dinner (if booked)
🌅 AM: Arrive EZE · Cabify to Palermo
🥐 Breakfast/lunch: Chori or El Sanjuanino empanadas walk-in
🌳 Afternoon nap · Bosques de Palermo walk to stay awake
🥩 9pm dinner: Don Julio (if reservation locked) or walk-in parrilla
🍸 Nightcap: Tres Monos · World's #10 bar
WED4/29
🇦🇷 Day 2 · Recoleta + Palermo
67°/55°F partly cloudy · Recoleta Cemetery · MALBA · La Carnicería
WED
4/29
🇦🇷 Day 2 · Recoleta + Palermo
67°/55°F partly cloudy · Recoleta Cemetery · MALBA · La Carnicería
⚰️ 9-11am: Recoleta Cemetery (Evita's grave)
🍽 Lunch: El Preferido de Palermo (lunch is the move)
🎨 3-5pm: MALBA museum · El Ateneo Grand Splendid · Floralis Genérica
🍸 Pre-dinner: Florería Atlántico (hidden behind flower shop)
🥩 Dinner: La Carnicería (Palermo · book 3-4 weeks)
💃 Late: Maldita Milonga Wed nights
THU4/30
🔥 Day 3 · DON JULIO + CLUB 69
World's #1 steak then dawn-til-dusk party · both walkable in Palermo
THU
4/30
🔥 Day 3 · DON JULIO + CLUB 69
World's #1 steak then dawn-til-dusk party · both walkable in Palermo
🛌 AM: Recovery · chill · late breakfast at hotel
☕ Late morning: Lattente or LAB Tostadores specialty coffee (Palermo)
🛍 Afternoon: Leather shopping Calle Murillo (Villa Crespo blocks 600-800) · Prasad or Casa López factory-direct
🥩 8:00 PM DINNER · DON JULIO · Guatemala 4699 · Palermo Soho · World's 50 Best #1 Latin America 2024 · 1 Michelin Star + Green Star
Order: ojo de bife · house chorizo · provoleta · empanada de carne cortada a cuchillo
🍸 10:30 PM: Walk to CoChinChina (Armenia 1471 · 5-min walk) · World's #26 bar
🔥 Midnight: CLUB 69 @ NICETO · Niceto Vega 5510 · 3-min walk from CoChinChina · drag/electronic · PEAK 3-5am
🌅 6am: Tetris after-after if still standing · choripán at Costanera Sur stands at dawn
FRI5/1
🇦🇷 Day 4 · Labor Day Recovery
Most shops closed · outdoor day · Ricardo Arjona concert option
FRI
5/1
🇦🇷 Day 4 · Labor Day Recovery
Most shops closed · outdoor day · Ricardo Arjona concert option
☀️ Outdoor day (many restaurants/shops closed)
🌳 Bosques de Palermo · Rosedal · Japanese Garden
🧺 Picnic or packed lunch
🎤 Evening: Ricardo Arjona @ Movistar Arena 8pm (optional · sold-out tour)
💃 OR milonga at La Viruta (Palermo, Wed-Sun, open till 5am)
SAT5/2
🇦🇷 Day 5 · Palermo + Big Night Out
Shopping · Anchoíta or Mengano dinner · Crobar 1am
SAT
5/2
🇦🇷 Day 5 · Palermo + Big Night Out
Shopping · Anchoíta or Mengano dinner · Crobar 1am
🚶 AM: Walk Palermo Hollywood · Palermo Soho
🛍 Afternoon: Feria de Mataderos (real gauchos · Sat/Sun)
🥩 Dinner: Anchoíta (Villa Crespo · DM WhatsApp 30 days ahead) OR Mengano bodegón
🍸 Midnight: Frank's Bar (phonebooth password entry · speakeasy)
🕺 1am: Crobar (DJ Mag Top 100 · Fri/Sat only · no shorts)
SUN5/3
🛫 Day 6 · BA → Santiago
San Telmo Sunday market AM · fly PM · Blondie Britpop night
SUN
5/3
🛫 Day 6 · BA → Santiago
San Telmo Sunday market AM · fly PM · Blondie Britpop night
🛍 10am-3pm: San Telmo Sunday Feria (antiques, leather, tango buskers) — MUST
🥟 Lunch in San Telmo bodegón
🛫 PM: Fly LATAM AEP → SCL · nonstop · ~2h15m
🏨 Arrive Santiago evening · Uber to hotel (Las Condes)
🌶 Dinner: Lastarria · Chipe Libre pisco temple
🎸 Midnight: Blondie · Sunday Britpop/80s night (Alameda 2879) — famously packed
MON5/4
🇨🇱 Day 7 · Valparaíso Day Trip
1.5h to Pacific coast · cerros, street art, Neruda's house
MON
5/4
🇨🇱 Day 7 · Valparaíso Day Trip
1.5h to Pacific coast · cerros, street art, Neruda's house
🚗 9am: Depart SCL · 1.5h coastal drive
🎨 Cerros Concepción + Alegre · bohemian street art · ascensores (funiculars)
🏠 La Sebastiana (Pablo Neruda's house)
🍽 Lunch: Fauna or La Concepción · Pacific views
🚗 Back to Santiago evening
🥘 Dinner: Liguria (Chilean bistro classics · pastel de choclo) OR 040 (Bellavista tasting menu)
🍸 Nightcap: Siete Negronis (30+ Negroni variations, Lastarria)
TUE5/5
🇨🇱 Day 8 · Maipo Valley Wine
45 min · Concha y Toro + Santa Rita · Boragó dinner if booked
TUE
5/5
🇨🇱 Day 8 · Maipo Valley Wine
45 min · Concha y Toro + Santa Rita · Boragó dinner if booked
🍇 AM: 45min drive Maipo Valley
🏛 Concha y Toro · Casillero del Diablo cellar tour
🍽 Lunch: Santa Rita · winery restaurant (better food than CyT)
🏛 PM: back to Santiago · Cerro Santa Lucía quick sunset
🌟 Dinner: Boragó (World's 50 Best #25 · Chilean endemic ingredients · book 4-6 weeks)
🍷 OR Bocanariz (Lastarria) · 300+ Chilean wines flights
WED5/6
🇨🇱 Day 9 · Santiago · Last Night
Cerro San Cristóbal · Bellavista · Barrio Italia · farewell dinner
WED
5/6
🇨🇱 Day 9 · Santiago · Last Night
Cerro San Cristóbal · Bellavista · Barrio Italia · farewell dinner
🦐 9am: Mercado Tirso de Molina · seafood · La Vega walk-through
🏠 11:30am: Bellavista · La Chascona (Neruda's 2nd house)
🥘 Lunch: Galindo · pastel de choclo + chorrillana
🌋 2:30pm: Funicular up Cerro San Cristóbal · teleférico down back side · AVOID if Sunday
🖼 4:30pm: Museo Precolombino (Reddit #1 museum)
🍷 7pm: Bocanariz Chilean wine flights
🍣 Dinner: Karai by Mitsuharu (Nikkei, W Hotel) OR Barrio Italia new spots
🌃 Late: Bar Constitución (Bellavista, mutates into a club after 2am)
THU5/7
🛫 Day 10 · Depart Santiago → Home
Last breakfast · Uber to SCL · split flights direct to NYC/Chicago
THU
5/7
🛫 Day 10 · Depart Santiago → Home
Last breakfast · Uber to SCL · split flights direct to NYC/Chicago
☕ Leisurely breakfast at hotel
🛍 Optional: Pueblito Los Dominicos (lapis lazuli crafts) OR Barrio Italia · Café Colmado brunch
🚗 Uber SCL (allow 60-75 min for international check-in)
🛫 Evening: Trav A → JFK nonstop · Trav B+C → IAH → ORD on UA
🏠 All 3 land home May 8 AM/afternoon
🔥 The Nights
BA is top-5 nightlife city in the world · Porteño rhythm: dinner 10pm · bar 1am · club 3am · sunrise 7am · choripán 8am
🇦🇷 Buenos Aires · Clubs
Crobar · Palermo · biggest techno/house · DJ Mag Top 100 · Fri/Sat 1am · no shorts/flip-flops
Niceto Club · Palermo Hollywood · Thursdays = Club 69 · the party
Bahrein · Microcentro basement · Funky Room house · Cave dark techno
Under Club · Barracas · serious Berlin-style techno · 10h+ sets
Jet Lounge · Costanera Norte · riverside house · sunset-to-sunrise Sat · Tom Trago / Maya Jane Coles headliners
Bomba de Tiempo · Konex · Monday 7pm percussion jam · BA's most legendary weeknight · DON'T SKIP
🇦🇷 BA Bars · World's 50 Best + New 2025 Opens
🏆 World's 50 Best Bars 2025
Tres Monos #10 · Guatemala 4899 · Best in South America · no reservations, 8pm queue · indie, local-sourced
CoChinChina #26 · Armenia 1540 · goldfish-tiled bathroom = most photographed BA bar wall · Inés de los Santos · signature "La Vida Que Me Merezco"
Presidente Bar · Av. Quintana 188, Recoleta · "Entre las Nubes" in miniature hot-air balloon · chandeliers + library · 223K IG
🆕 Victor Audio Bar · Soler 5130 · opened Mar 2025 by Tres Monos + Niño Gordo team · BA's first Japanese kissa listening bar · #87 extended list
Pony Line (Four Seasons) · Food & Wine Top 10 International Hotel Bars April 2025 · only SA entry
🗝 Speakeasies (hidden-door reveals)
Frank's Bar · Arévalo 1445 · phonebooth → 4-digit password rotates weekly on FB/IG · OG of the format
Florería Atlántico · Arroyo 872 · flower-shop fridge door → basement · Tato Giovannoni · on-site gin
Uptown · Arévalo 2030 · NYC subway mock-up · real turnstiles + full subway car + button-press doors · most photogenic reveal in BA
Nicky Harrison · Malabia 1764 · sushi restaurant → wine-cellar passage → 1920s speakeasy with live jazz + tarot · DM @harrison.bsas
The Rouge · Godoy Cruz 1885 · Moulin Rouge concept · working red windmill = wine cellar · Wed-Sat 8pm+
JW Bradley · Godoy Cruz 1875 · Train-wagon Orient Express theme · ⚠️ tourist-leaning, not on best-of lists
🎛 Serious Techno · Boiler Room
Under Club · Av. Pedro de Mendoza, Barracas · Boiler Room BA returned June 2024 + 2025 · strict no-camera policy · Funktion-One sound · techno temple
Crobar post-Ultra BA afterparty (April 2025) · Anyma + Kas:st · most-shared BA techno clip of year
Bahrein · Lavalle 345 · Funktion-One vault + rooftop · nomadic events since 2024
Avant Garten · Arcos del Rosedal · BA's first open-air Biergarten · 4pm-4am · house/funk in greenery
🌅 Choripán at Dawn (post-club ritual)
Av. Achaval Rodríguez / Costanera Sur · carritos near Reserva Ecológica south entrance · "Alameda Sur" stand cited as city-best · peak scene 4-7am post-Crobar/Jet exodus · AR$ cheap · chimichurri heavy · the porteño sacrament
Av. Achaval Rodríguez / Costanera Sur · carritos near Reserva Ecológica south entrance · "Alameda Sur" stand cited as city-best · peak scene 4-7am post-Crobar/Jet exodus · AR$ cheap · chimichurri heavy · the porteño sacrament
🎥 BA Nightlife Creators to Follow
@vivamosba · BA's top nightlife POV account (Uptown, Rouge reveals)
@conociendo.ba · cocktail + food reveals
@recorre.ba · hidden-bar walkthroughs
@depaseito · speakeasy/theme-bar specialist
@brigadocrew · @lautaro.tebes · techno/Boiler Room POVs
@coolbuenosaires · @likebuenosaires · Palermo nightlife POVs
🇨🇱 Santiago · Corrected for Sun-Wed stay
⚠️ Hard truth: Blondie / La Feria are Thu-Sat only — CLOSED during your Sun-Wed stay · Bar Constitución + Club Chocolate are your best bets
🔥 Wednesday May 6 · BEST SCL night
Bar Constitución · Constitución 61, Bellavista · Tue-Thu 7:30pm-3:30am · graffitied warehouse · house/funk/ska · Wed peak · free til 11pm then ~CLP 4,000
Club Chocolate · Bellavista · multi-level · EDM/reggaeton/Latin pop/80s · check Bandsintown day-of for Wed bookings · dress up (code enforced)
Club Ámbar · Bellavista · raw techno/electronic · check RA.co for Wed bookings
Sun-Tue Bars (clubs mostly dark)
Sarita Colonia · Bellavista · Peruvian+Asian fusion rooftop · San Cristóbal views · Sun/Wed dinner hit
Room 09 @ The Aubrey Hotel · Constitución 317 · speakeasy rooftop thru FAKE fridge door · open 7 days · Sun nightcap
La Piojera · Aillavilú 1030, Centro · birthplace of Terremoto (pipeño + pineapple ice cream + grenadine) · 1896 cantina · Sun 8:30pm close · EARLY hit only
Chipe Libre · J.V. Lastarria 282 · pisco temple Chile vs Peru flights · open Mondays 12:30-22:30 · no cover
Siete Negronis · Mallinkrodt 180 · World's 50 Best Bars alum · 7 Negroni variations incl bacon-fat "Baconvardier"
Harry's Club + Karaoke · E. Pinto Lagarrigue 102 · open Mon 5:30pm-3am · one of the few Mon late-night options
Jardín Mallinkrodt · Mallinkrodt 170 · open-air beer garden · 8 craft beers · Mon/Tue 12:30am close
Bocanariz · Lastarria 276 · 250+ Chilean wines · Wine Spectator award 6 years · any night
⛔ Closed during your stay (Thu-Sat only): Blondie · Club La Feria · Bunker — you physically cannot go
🎸 Fun wildcard: MEGADETH plays Movistar Arena May 4-5 (Mon/Tue) — post-show crowds spill into Bellavista, Mon/Tue bars will be livelier than usual
Day-of checks (morning of each night)
- · ra.co/events/cl/santiago — international DJ drop-ins
- · IG @blondieclubcl · @clubchocolate · @technoeventos.cl · @jardinmallinkrodt — story pop-ups
- · Facebook events "Santiago" May 3-6 · Passline.com Chilean ticketing · Bandsintown Club Chocolate
⭐ Michelin Guide · 2025 BA + Mendoza
Current edition (May 2025 release) · source: guide.michelin.com · Chile has no Michelin Guide
⭐⭐ 2 STARS
Aramburu · Argentina's only 2⭐
📍 Pasaje del Correo, Vicente López 1661, Recoleta
🍴 Creative modern Argentine · ~18-course surprise tasting · ~2 hours
👨🍳 Chef Gonzalo Aramburu · renewed both stars 2025
🕐 Seatings 6:00 / 6:30 / 9:00 / 9:30 PM
👔 Dress: smart elegant (no shorts/flip-flops)
📞 Book: arambururesto.com.ar (Meitre) or +54 11 4811-1414
⏰ Lead time: 4-6 weeks minimum, often 2+ months
⭐ 1 Michelin Star (Buenos Aires 2025)
Don Julio ⭐ + 🌿 Green Star · Guatemala 4699, Palermo
Parrilla · biodynamic farm sourcing · globally ranked best steakhouse · 30-90 days lead · releases slots 30d out · parrilladonjulio.com
Parrilla · biodynamic farm sourcing · globally ranked best steakhouse · 30-90 days lead · releases slots 30d out · parrilladonjulio.com
Trescha ⭐ · Thames 1101, Villa Crespo
14-course tasting · 11-seat cedar counter · chef Treschanski (youngest Young Chef Award Americas 2024) · Wed-Sat 7:00 / 10:15 PM · 4-8 weeks lead · trescharestaurant.com
14-course tasting · 11-seat cedar counter · chef Treschanski (youngest Young Chef Award Americas 2024) · Wed-Sat 7:00 / 10:15 PM · 4-8 weeks lead · trescharestaurant.com
Crizia ⭐ + 🌿 Green Star · Palermo (new 2025)
Seafood-forward contemporary · chef Gabriel Oggero · oyster/wine focus · 2-4 weeks · crizia.com.ar
Seafood-forward contemporary · chef Gabriel Oggero · oyster/wine focus · 2-4 weeks · crizia.com.ar
MN Santa Inés ⭐ · La Paternal (new 2025)
Modern fusion · chef Jazmín Marturet · former bakery · accessible pricing · 2-4 weeks · IG DM
Modern fusion · chef Jazmín Marturet · former bakery · accessible pricing · 2-4 weeks · IG DM
🌿 Michelin Green Star (Sustainability, 2025)
Don Julio · on-farm sourcing, whole-animal program
Crizia · sustainable seafood
Anchoíta · Aráoz 156, Chacarita · freshwater fish from Entre Ríos cooperatives · own garden · acorn-fed pork
Alcanfor · Villa Crespo · hyper-local produce-driven
💲 Bib Gourmand · Best Value 2025
10 total in Argentina, all in Buenos Aires
Ácido · natural wine small plates (new 2025)
Ajo Negro · Spanish tapas (new 2025)
MN Santa Inés · ⭐ + Bib
Mengano · Palermo Soho bistro
Anafe · contemporary tasting
Reliquia · classic Argentine
Caseros · San Telmo bistro
República del Fuego · wood-fire
Bis Bistró · French-leaning
La Alacena · Italian-Argentine
📝 Michelin Recommended (not starred but listed)
Tegui · Palermo Hollywood · Germán Martitegui · #16 LatAm 50 Best 2025
Mishiguene · Palermo · Lafinur 3368 · modern Jewish · chef Tomás Kalika · #8 LatAm 50 Best 2025
Niño Gordo · Thames 1810 · Asian-style parrilla · #21 LatAm 50 Best 2025
La Carnicería · Thames 2317 · sister to Niño Gordo · chef Pedro Peña
El Preferido de Palermo · Jorge Luis Borges 2108 · Don Julio team · milanesa + charcuterie
Anchoíta · Chacarita · Green Star + wine program
🇨🇱 Santiago · No Michelin Guide
Michelin has not launched a Chile Guide as of 2026. Use Latin America's 50 Best 2025 instead:
Boragó · Vitacura · #6 LatAm 50 Best · #23 World's 50 Best · chef Rodolfo Guzmán Icon Award 2025 · "Endémica" tasting · book 2-3 months · borago.cl
040 · Bellavista (inside Hotel MGallery) · speakeasy tasting · Sergio Barroso · 14 courses · 3-4 weeks
Ambrosía Bistró · Nueva Costanera · Carolina Bazán (LatAm Best Female Chef 2019)
Olam · Modern Chilean tasting · best value fine dining per Reddit 2025
ℹ️ Araya (Singapore) earned Chile's first-ever Michelin Star in 2024 — not in Chile itself
🥩 The Eats
Book the starred ones NOW · Porteños eat at 10pm · 7pm = tourist slot
🇦🇷 Buenos Aires · High-End + Local
🌟 Michelin-Starred / Fine Dining
Aramburu ⭐⭐ · Pasaje del Correo, Retiro · 2 Michelin Stars · Argentina's most decorated · 18-course menu · book 4-6 weeks
Trescha ⭐ · Thames 1101, Villa Crespo · 1 Michelin Star · LatAm Best New Entry 2024 · Chef Treschanski (Azurmendi/Frantzén/108 alum) · 15 courses · 10-seat cedar counter · book 6-8 weeks
Don Julio ⭐ · Guatemala 4699, Palermo · 1 Michelin Star + Green Star · World's 50 Best #1 LatAm 2024 · book 2 months or walk-in sidewalk wait 5:45pm
Anchoíta · Aguirre 1562, Chacarita · Michelin-listed · industrial-chic · book WhatsApp 30 days
Mishiguene · Argentine-Jewish · pastrami tasting menu · book 2 weeks
La Carnicería · Thames 2317, Palermo · chef Pedro Peña · farm-to-table · 8 tables · 3-4 wks
🏠 Local Parrillas & Bodegones
Parrilla Peña · Rodríguez Peña 682, Recoleta · Spanish-only menu · no reservations · cash · baexpats Reddit "anti-Don Julio"
El Preferido de Palermo · Don Julio team's bodegón · lunch best · book 2 weeks
Mengano · Palermo · modern bodegón · milanesa napolitana · Mario Ponce
Cantina A Los Amigos · Loyola 701, Villa Crespo · huge portions · soccer memorabilia · siphon soda
Isla Flotante · Chacarita · modern bodegón · no res · tortilla sandwich
El Ferroviario · La Boca-side · real porteño parrilla · tourists never find it
🥟 Empanadas by Style (Reddit consensus)
Salteña: El Sanjuanino · Posadas 1515, Recoleta · 50+ yrs · juicy spiced-beef hand-folded
Tucumana: Ña Serapia · Av. Las Heras 3357, Palermo Chico · cumin+paprika beef · sleeper pick
Catamarqueña: La Cocina · Pueyrredón 1508, Recoleta · "pikachu" spicy cheese cult pick
La Flor de la Canela · city center · mendocinas classic
🍕 Pizza (fugazzetta champions)
La Mezzetta · Av. Álvarez Thomas 1321, Villa Ortúzar · Netflix Street Food: LatAm · fugazzeta rellena · stand-up counter · Reddit winner
El Cuartito · Talcahuano 937, Centro · since 1934 · fugazzeta + napolitana + fainá + moscato · before 8pm
Pizzería Banchero · San Telmo · invented fugazzeta (1932)
Hell's Pizza / Siamo nel Forno · Palermo · wood-fired Napoletana
🍨 Heladerías (locals voted 2024, 48k votes)
🥇 Lucciano's · 26% · multiple Palermo · won locals' vote
🥈 Rapanui · 20% · chocolate-coated · franui
Cadore · Av. Corrientes 1695 · Nat Geo top-10 globally · dulce de leche granizado
🎯 Pistacchio · Santos Dumont 3329, Colegiales · daily chalkboard menu · mascarpone-blueberry · where in-the-know porteños go
🥐 Breakfast & Brunch (BA)
Birkin · Palermo Botánico + Hollywood · best French toast in BA per TripAdvisor/IG · arrive 10am weekends
Oui Oui · Nicaragua 6099, Palermo · eggs Benedict · pain au chocolat · tree-lined patio
Ninina · Gorriti 4738 · bakery + brunch · Reddit consensus "always worth it"
Café Registrado · Palermo · viral TikTok · specialty brunch
MOSHU Treehouse · Honduras 5799 · viral treehouse pod · brioche French toast · good for coffee not dinner
Blanca Café · Sinclair 3136 · Palermo's most-Instagrammed brunch · all-white aesthetic
Felix Felicis & Co. · Serrano 1415 · flat white + pastries · no-line 9am
Classic café con leche + 3 medialunas at Las Violetas (Almagro) · Art Nouveau stunner · skip Café Tortoni tourist line
🍽 Lunch Picks (BA)
🥇 El Preferido de Palermo · Don Julio team's bodegón · LUNCH IS THE MOVE · easier than dinner reservation · 2 weeks ahead
Don Julio walk-in chorizo · 5:45pm pre-dinner sidewalk sparkling wine + chorizo · while waiting list forms
Parrilla Peña · Rodríguez Peña 682, Recoleta · Spanish-only menu · lunch walk-in · cash · baexpats "anti-Don Julio"
Mengano · Palermo · milanesa napolitana lunch · Michelin Bib Gourmand
La Cocina empanadas · Pueyrredón 1508, Recoleta · "pikachu" spicy cheese · quick lunch
Chori · Thames 1653 · gourmet choripán walk-in · $6 lunch · Palermo
El Cuartito pizza · Centro · 1934 institution · fugazzeta + fainá + moscato · go 12-2pm
Nuestra Parrilla · San Telmo Market (Bolivar 950) · Eater-rec choripán lunch
Gran Dabbang · Palermo · Thai-Indian-Argentine fusion · walk-in queue · unique lunch
i Central Market · Puerto Madero · less touristy Puerto Madero option
☕ Specialty Coffee 2025-26
LAB Training Center · Humboldt 1542, Palermo Hollywood · roaster pros brew
Lattente · 4 locations · best all-around consistency
Félix Felicis & Co. · Serrano 1415 · best flat white
Cuervo Café · Palermo Hollywood/Chacarita · vibes + strong coffee · 2025-26 TikTok star
🎭 Closed-Door Supper Clubs (puertas cerradas)
i Latina · Villa Crespo · 7-course Colombian-Latin · bucket-list · book 4-6 weeks at ilatinabuenosaires.com
Casa Felix · Colegiales · pescatarian 5-course · private garden · NYT 36 Hours pick
Casa Saltshaker · Recoleta · chef Dan Perlman · communal table · English-speaking · meet other travelers
Casa Sunae · Thai/Filipino twist · best value puerta cerrada
📱 Viral TikTok / IG Spots 2024-26 (verified)
Kenco · Palermo Paraguay 5395 · Prints ANY photo onto espresso foam · Oct 2025 "furor" · worth the 1 visit
Palacio Barolo rooftop · Av. de Mayo 1370 · 16th floor terrace · Obelisk in frame · Pinterest mainstay
Crystal Bar @ Alvear Icon · Puerto Madero · 32nd floor, 128m — highest in BA · Uruguay visible on clear days
Niño Gordo · Thames 1810 · Asian-Argentine · giant baby balloon mascot = TikTok gold · World's 50 Best LatAm #21 · IG-famous AND locally endorsed
Tinta · Palermo · chocolate volcano dessert viral 2024 · go once
MOSHU Treehouse · Palermo Soho · recycled-wood treehouse · pure aesthetic · brioche French toast
Padre Café · Palermo Honduras 4184 · viral for pancakes + long queues · coffee good, NY roll skip
Las Flores · Palermo · hidden garden with hanging vines · IG gem
Eterna Cadencia · Palermo bookshop + bar · hidden patio · Pinterest mainstay
Cocu Boulangerie · Palermo · croissant flatlays · viral IG
⛔ Porteños skip: Caminito beyond 2 blocks (pickpockets), Floralis Genérica (10-min photo max), Don Julio is split — food real but 90% foreign crowd + 2x pricing
🎥 TikTok Viral Bodegones 2024-26 (hidden gems)
Cantina Rondinella · Chacarita · Av. Álvarez Thomas 12 · viral bodegón of 2024 via @comentino's "48 barrios / 48 bodegones" series
Albamonte · Chacarita · Av. Corrientes 6735 · classic old-school · milanesa napolitana POVs
El Torito · Villa Crespo · Apolinario Figueroa 200 · combo-for-two posts · @recorre.ba
La Choripanería (Mercado San Telmo) · Provo Chori (half chorizo + half provoleta) · @lolacarolafood viral hook
Bodegón La Pipeta · Microcentro · via @bodegonero
Ayulem pastelería · Villa Luro · Pola 281 · medialunas destination · @comemos.ba
🍨 TikTok Viral Heladerías 2024-26
Pot Helados · Recoleta · Montevideo 1208 · best pistachio per @foodfinders
Latto Helados · Palermo · Borges 1965 · mortadella + pistachio sandwich @comeren.ba
Alchemy · Palermo · Humboldt 1923 · Breaking Bad-themed gelato lab · @turistaenba
Pistacchio Helados · Colegiales · Santos Dumont 3429 · 3rd-gen pistachio shop · Pick Up The Fork Heladería Heatmap
🍫 Dubai Chocolate Trend 2024-25 (if you want to chase the viral)
Lucianno's · Dubai ice-cream · top pick per @comemos.ba 3-way ranking
Monster Cookies · Dubai cookie
Candy Moon · Dubai donut
👥 BA Food Creators to Follow
@lachicadelbrunch (Rocío Strat) · 4.7M · brunch + restaurants · drives reservations
@acomercongold (Alan Gold) · 250K+ · bodegones + hidden gems · 120M+ TikTok views (Time Out BA)
@pickupthefork (Allie Lazar) · English-language guide since 2009 · Heladería Heatmap bible
@comentino · "48 barrios / 48 bodegones" series · best editorial format for hidden BA
@comemos.ba · Spanish food reels · very active · Palermo/Villa Luro coverage
@quecomemosba · price-led parrilla/sushi reviews
@panzallena.ba ("Lonza") · bodegón + pizzería comparison
@comeren.ba · discount codes + new-opening alerts
@turistaenba · tourist-angle English captions · Alchemy + Niño Gordo
@bodegonero · bodegón purist · Microcentro-focused
🎵 TikTok Sounds to Soundtrack Your Trip (2024-25 Argentina top)
Emilia Mernes · Trueno · Nicki Nicole · María Becerra · Bizarrap · Duki
"Gata Only" FloyyMenor ft. Cris MJ · "Una Foto Remix" · "Ojos Verdes" Nicki Nicole
🌅 Post-Club Dawn Food
Costanera Sur choripán stands · where porteños actually eat at 6am post-Crobar · $3-5 · chimichurri heavy
La Americana · Callao 83 · 24/7 pizza + empanadas post-club
El Desnivel · San Telmo · open very late weekends
Chori · Thames 1653 · modern gourmet choripán · late Fri/Sat
🇨🇱 Santiago · High-End + Local Picks
🌟 Fine Dining
Boragó · Vitacura · World's 50 Best #23 · LatAm #6 · Rodolfo Guzmán Icon Award 2025 · Endémica tasting · book 2-3 months · borago.cl
040 · Bellavista inside Hotel MGallery · Sergio Barroso speakeasy · 14-course · TikTok "fun" fine dining
Karai by Mitsuharu · Mandarin Oriental · Nikkei from Maido's chef
Olam · Nueva Costanera · Modern Chilean · Reddit "best value" fine dining
Ambrosía Bistró · Carolina Bazán (LatAm Best Female Chef 2019) · bistro offshoot, more accessible
Peumayén Ancestral Food · Constitución 136, Bellavista · pre-Hispanic Chilean tasting
🏠 Local Classics (what Chileans actually eat)
Galindo · Dardignac 098, Bellavista · Reddit winner for pastel de choclo + pastel de jaiba (crab) · casual
Liguria · Luis Thayer Ojeda 019, Providencia · bar-bistro · always packed · lomo a lo pobre legendary
El Hoyo · San Vicente 375, Estación Central · century-old picada · pernil con puré picante + terremoto cocktails
Bar Nacional · Paseo Huérfanos · cleaner chorrillana than La Piojera
Las Vacas Gordas · Cienfuegos 280 · parrilla · cheap steak near La Vega
🥐 Breakfast & Brunch (Santiago)
Café Colmado · Av. Italia 1463, Barrio Italia · specialty coffee + brunch · viral TikTok toasts
Café Forastero · Italia/Lastarria · strong flat whites · solid brunch plates
Wonderland Café · Lastarria-ish · cozy · good for work/breakfast
Dev Café · Lastarria · minimalist · single-origin focus
Café Altura · Providencia · Reddit darling for pour-overs + breakfast
Origen Tostadores · roaster-café · among most serious in SCL
Alma de Barrista · Valparaíso Cerro Alegre · best specialty coffee + brunch day-trip option
Hotel breakfast · Park Hyatt Santiago breakfast is excellent if staying there
🍽 Lunch Picks (Santiago)
🥇 Galindo (lunch) · Bellavista · pastel de choclo + pastel de jaiba · Reddit #1 for typical Chilean lunch
🥇 Mercado Tirso de Molina upstairs · 2nd floor cocinerías · chupe de locos + ceviche · cheap, local, authentic
Liguria Providencia · Luis Thayer Ojeda 019 · bar-bistro lunch · packed with locals · lomo a lo pobre
La Vega Central · 1st floor cocinerías · breakfast/lunch · El Rincón del Camarón ceviches · sopaipillas con pebre · mornings best
Mercado Central · Donde Yayita or El Galeón (skip Donde Augusto) · paila marina · machas a la parmesana · congrio frito
Fuente Alemana lunch · Av. Libertador · classic lomito pork completo · cash · line OK
Silabario (Barrio Italia) · patio · modern Chilean small plates · best Barrio Italia lunch
Pannino (Barrio Italia) · Italian-style sandwich shop · great lunch · quick
Empanadas Zunino · Paseo Puente 801 · since 1930 · pino de horno · lunch line
Bocanariz lunch · Lastarria · wine flight + tablas · classy midday · 250+ Chilean wines
🥂 Winery Lunch (Maipo day · Tue May 5)
🥇 Doña Paula @ Viña Santa Rita · Alto Jahuel · best winery food in Maipo · historic grounds · reserve ahead
Concha y Toro lunch · available with the tour · touristy but efficient
Matetic · Equilibrio restaurant · Casablanca · biodynamic · 90 min drive but worth it
🌭 Completos & Street Food
Fuente Alemana · Av. Libertador 058 · classic · lomito (pork) completo is the grail · cash · expect line
Dominó · Agustinas branch · chain done right · fast completo italiano fix
Elkika · Las Condes · cleaner modern completo · locals' pick
Schopdog · 24h-ish · post-club completo fix
🥟 Empanadas (Chilean pino: beef + onion + olive + egg)
Empanadas Zunino · Paseo Puente 801, Centro · since 1930 · benchmark pino de horno · cash · lunch line
Fuente Mardoqueo · Manuel Montt · TikTok-viral massive hand-folded pino · pair with schop draft beer
Empanadas Tío Carlos · Las Condes · modern · camarón-queso, pino, napolitana varieties
La Chingana · Barrio Italia · decent Mexican (rare in Chile)
🦐 Seafood
Aquí Está Coco · La Concepción 236, Providencia · the institution · erizos con salsa verde + congrio margarita
Ostras Azócar · Bucarest 098 · oyster-focused · Chiloé-sourced · dozen + Casablanca sauvignon blanc
La Mar Cebichería (Gastón Acurio) · Nueva Costanera 3922 · Peruvian but uses Chilean fish spectacularly
Mercado Central · Donde Yayita or El Galeón (skip Donde Augusto) · paila marina, machas a la parmesana
🛒 Markets (where locals eat for cheap)
Tirso de Molina · across from La Vega · 2nd floor cocinerías · Peruvian-Chilean · chupe de locos + ceviche mixto · cheap + authentic
La Vega Central · real deal · breakfast/lunch · El Rincón del Camarón (ceviches) · sopaipillas con pebre
Mercado Tirso de Molina (upstairs) · 2F cocinerías · cazuela, pastel de choclo, chorrillana
Pueblito Los Dominicos · Las Condes · artisan village + lunch stops · colonial vibe
🌿 Barrio Italia Hot Spots 2024-26 (TikTok darling)
Café Colmado · Av. Italia 1463 · specialty coffee + brunch · viral toasts
Silabario · patio restaurant · modern Chilean small plates · lovely courtyard
Olivar 35 · tucked-away wine + small plates
Pannino · Italian-style sandwich shop · great lunch
🍷 Wine & Pisco Bars
Bocanáriz · J.V. Lastarria 276 · 250-300 Chilean wines · flights by region · Wine Spectator 6yr award
Chipe Libre · Lastarria 282 · Chile vs Peru pisco showdown · 100+ piscos · intentionally "diplomatic" concept
Baco · Nueva de Lyon 113, Providencia · French-style · great by-the-glass
La Misma / Pajarito · Barrio Italia · natural wine scene
🍺 Craft Beer
Kross Taproom · Curacaví brewery or city tap
Tübinger · Providencia · German-style
Jardín Mallinkrodt · Bellavista beer garden · 8 craft taps
Pepperland · Barrio Italia · city's top craft beer selection
🌊 Valparaíso Day Trip Eats (Mon May 4)
Fauna · Paseo Dimalow 166, Cerro Alegre · rooftop boutique hotel · Pacific views · best sunset lunch
Casino Social J. Cruz · Condell 1466 · chorrillana birthplace · walls covered in graffiti notes · share one between 3 · iconic
La Concepción · upscale cerro views · Chilean fusion
Delicias Express · empanadas de camarón-queso · local cult favorite
Alma de Barrista · best specialty coffee + brunch · Cerro Alegre
🏙 Cities · Quick Hits
Beyond the guidebook · what locals actually recommend
🇦🇷 Buenos Aires
Sights
- · Recoleta Cemetery · Evita's grave
- · San Telmo Sunday Market 10am-3pm
- · MALBA modern art
- · Teatro Colón (book tour online)
- · El Ateneo Grand Splendid
- · Tigre Delta day trip (1hr train)
Neighborhoods Worth Walking
- · Palermo Soho + Hollywood · nightlife + dining
- · Recoleta · elegant, museums
- · Chacarita · NEW cool zone (2024-25)
- · Villa Crespo · Calle Murillo leather
- · San Telmo · cobblestones, antique
⚠️ Tourist Traps to Skip
- · Caminito/La Boca beyond 3-block strip · armed robbery warnings
- · Puerto Madero restaurants · overpriced mediocre
- · Hotel-lobby tango dinner shows · Reddit consensus trap
- · Street-hail taxi · $100 peso bill swap scam · use Cabify/Uber
🇨🇱 Santiago
Sights
- · Cerro San Cristóbal · sunset funicular
- · Museo Precolombino (Reddit #1)
- · Mercado Tirso de Molina · seafood
- · Museo de la Memoria · Pinochet history
- · Sky Costanera · tallest in SA
- · Valparaíso day trip · 1.5h Pacific coast
- · Maipo Valley wine · 45 min
Neighborhoods
- · Lastarria · cultural heart, cobblestone
- · Bellavista · nightlife + La Chascona
- · Barrio Italia · TikTok darling · design + coffee
- · Las Condes / El Golf · safe, hotels
- · Vitacura · Boragó + upscale
🎭 What's On During the Trip
Concerts, sports, theatre during your dates
🇦🇷 Buenos Aires · Apr 28 – May 3
FRI MAY 1 · 8PM
🎤 Ricardo Arjona concert
Movistar Arena · "Lo Que El Seco No Dijo" tour
Perfect Labor Day evening (most restaurants closed)
SUN MAY 3 · 5PM
🎼 Teatro Colón · Orquesta Estable
Alejo Pérez (new music director) · Main Hall
Book at teatrocolon.org.ar · 2+ weeks lead
WEEKLY
⚽ Liga Profesional Football
Check Boca + River home fixtures during trip
espn.com/soccer/team/fixtures · La Bombonera or Monumental
SUN MAY 3
🛍 Feria de San Telmo
Sunday antique market 10am-5pm · 13 blocks along Defensa St.
Antiques · leather · tango buskers · GO EARLY
🇨🇱 Santiago · May 3 – 7
No major festivals/events scheduled May 3-7 · shoulder season = thinner crowds · easier reservations · check again closer to trip for pop-up events
🛡 Essentials
Visa · safety · money · communication
🛂 Passports & Visas
🇦🇷 Argentina
No visa · 90 days · passport 6mo+ validity
🇨🇱 Chile
No visa · 90 days · no fee
🇺🇸 Return
Miami on SCL→MIA nonstop
💰 Money & Practical
- · BA currency: Credit cards now get good rates (Milei reforms April 2025) · tap card freely · USD cash for tips
- · Santiago currency: CLP pesos · cards work everywhere · small bills for markets
- · Transport: Cabify (preferred) and Uber both work in BA and Santiago · never hail street taxis
- · Tipping: 10% at restaurants standard in both countries
- · SIM card: Holafly or Airalo eSIM · quick setup, works on arrival
- · English: Limited outside tourist zones · Spanish basics helpful · order "cortado" not "latte"
🛡 Safety
- · ⚠️ Motochorros (BA): motorbike phone snatchers · don't use phones near traffic lights
- · ⚠️ May 1 Labor Day: avoid Plaza de Mayo (protests) · stick to parks/Palermo
- · ⚠️ Santiago pickpockets: Bellavista Pío Nono · Plaza de Armas · metro rush hour
- · ✅ Both cities: safe to walk in groups in Palermo/Lastarria/Recoleta/Las Condes
- · ✅ Travel advisories: Argentina Level 1 · Chile Level 1
🎒 Packing
Must
- · Walking shoes (15k+ steps/day)
- · Dark jeans · button-down (BA is stylish)
- · Light jacket (autumn nights 10°C)
- · Rain shell
- · Passport + copies · travel insurance
- · Type I plug adapter (AR/CL same)
For nightlife
- · No shorts/flip-flops at clubs (Crobar, Niceto)
- · Dress sneakers for everything else
- · Crossbody bag with zipper (anti-pickpocket)
- · Portable phone charger
- · Cabify + WhatsApp installed
🚨 Emergency · US Embassy · Safety
Verified US State Dept sources · print this card and keep in wallet
🇦🇷 US Embassy Buenos Aires
Address
Avenida Colombia 4300
C1425 GMN, Buenos Aires
In Palermo (next to Rose Garden/Embassy row)
Phone
Main: +54 11 5777-4533
ACS (citizen services): +54 11 5777-4354
After-hours emergency: +54 11 5777-4873
Hours
Mon-Fri 7:00-16:00
ACS walk-ins Mon-Thu 14:00-16:00
From Palermo/Recoleta
5-15 min Uber/Cabify ($3-6)
Walkable from Las Cañitas (~20 min)
Closest Subte: Line D "Palermo" + 10 min walk
Services: lost/stolen passport emergency replacement · arrest assistance · medical referrals · evacuation guidance
🇨🇱 US Embassy Santiago
Address
Avenida Andrés Bello 2800
Las Condes, Santiago
Phone
24-hr emergency: +56 2 2330-3000
Working hours: +56 2 2330-3716 (8:00-17:00)
From Park Hyatt Las Condes
10-15 min Uber ($5-8)
Metro Line 1 "Tobalaba" nearest
Note
Earthquake-drilled facility
Chile Level 1 advisory (Santiago Level 2 sub-note)
📞 Emergency Numbers
🇦🇷 BA Police
911
🇦🇷 Medical
107
🇦🇷 Fire
100
🇦🇷 Tourist Police (English)
0800-999-5000
🇨🇱 Carabineros
133
🇨🇱 SAMU Medical
131
🇨🇱 Fire
132
STEP Enrollment
step.state.gov
🏥 English-Speaking Hospitals
🇦🇷 Buenos Aires
Hospital Alemán
Av. Pueyrredón 1640, Recoleta
+54 11 4827-7000
24/7 ER · works with most US insurers
Hospital Italiano
Tte. Gen. J.D. Perón 4190
+54 11 4959-0200
English-friendly
🇨🇱 Santiago
Clínica Alemana
Av. Vitacura 5951, Vitacura
+56 2 2210-1111
JCI-accredited · International Patient Services
Clínica Las Condes
Lo Fontecilla 441
+56 2 2210-4000
Close to Park Hyatt
🆘 If X Happens — Contingency Plans
Lost passport
File police report at Comisaría within 24h → go to US Embassy with report + any ID copy → emergency passport issued same-day if flight imminent
Stolen phone (motochorros in BA)
DO NOT CHASE · Use Find My iPhone + remote wipe from hotel WiFi · file denuncia for insurance · buy prepaid phone if needed (~$40)
Stolen wallet
Call card issuers: Visa collect +1-303-967-1090 · Amex collect +1-336-393-1111 · Western Union for emergency cash
Mugged at night
COMPLY FULLY · hand over phone/wallet · DO NOT resist · walk to well-lit venue · call Cabify · file denuncia
Arrested/detained
Stay silent · say "Quiero llamar a la Embajada de EE.UU." · DO NOT sign anything in Spanish · demand consular notification (Vienna Convention right)
Drink spiked at club
Get victim to Hospital Alemán ER immediately · request tox screen · DO NOT let them "sleep it off" · 2 sober travelers per night (rotate)
Earthquake (Chile)
Indoors: Drop-Cover-Hold under sturdy table, away from windows · Outdoors: open area away from buildings/power lines · Park Hyatt seismically engineered
Protest / civil unrest (May 1 Labor Day)
CGT + left-wing parties WILL march Plaza de Mayo · stay in Palermo/Recoleta/Puerto Madero May 1 · monitor @USEmbassyARG on X
🗺 Safety by Neighborhood
🇦🇷 Buenos Aires
✅ Green (safe day+night in groups): Palermo Soho/Hollywood, Recoleta, Puerto Madero, Las Cañitas, Belgrano
⚠️ Yellow (day OK, caution at night): San Telmo, Microcentro, Barracas
⛔ Red (avoid): Villa 31 (Retiro), La Boca past Caminito, Constitución, Once, Plaza Miserere
🇨🇱 Santiago
✅ Green: Las Condes, Vitacura, El Golf, Providencia
⚠️ Yellow: Lastarria, Barrio Italia, Bellavista (Pío Nono pickpockets)
⛔ Red after dark: Estación Central, south of Alameda, Franklin, La Pintana
🚕 Local Commute · Safe Options
🇦🇷 Buenos Aires
- ✅ Cabify (safest night) · vetted drivers, fixed price
- ✅ Uber (grey zone but works)
- ✅ DiDi cheapest · daytime fine
- ⚠️ Radio Taxi branded only · small bills
- ⛔ Street taxi hail · meter scams + bill swaps
- · EZE→Palermo: Cabify ~$25-35, 45-60 min
- · AEP→Palermo: Cabify ~$7-12, 10-15 min
🇨🇱 Santiago
- ✅ Uber FULLY LEGAL · use freely
- ✅ Cabify slightly pricier · same safety
- ✅ DiDi cheapest
- ✅ Metro cleanest/safest in LatAm · Bip! card · avoid rush hour
- · SCL→Las Condes: Uber ~$22-32, 30-45 min
- · Transvip shuttle ~$15
📇 Wallet Card (print this, carry with you)
═══ BUENOS AIRES (Apr 28 – May 3) ═══ Police 911 · Medical 107 · Fire 100 · Tourist 0800-999-5000 US Embassy main +54 11 5777-4533 US Embassy ACS +54 11 5777-4354 US Embassy AFTER HRS +54 11 5777-4873 Hospital Alemán ER +54 11 4827-7000 Visa collect +1-303-967-1090 Amex collect +1-336-393-1111 ═══ SANTIAGO (May 3 – May 7) ═══ Carabineros 133 · SAMU 131 · Fire 132 US Embassy 24h +56 2 2330-3000 US Embassy work hrs +56 2 2330-3716 Clínica Alemana +56 2 2210-1111 Clínica Las Condes +56 2 2210-4000 ═══ RULES ═══ 1. Cabify > Uber > DiDi at night. Never street taxi. 2. Phone NEVER within 5ft of curb at intersections. 3. May 1 — stay in Palermo/Recoleta. Avoid Plaza de Mayo. 4. Drinks: watch pour. Never leave unattended. 2 sober in group. 5. Police/robbery: comply, don't resist. Call embassy. 6. Arrest: say nothing, sign nothing, demand embassy. 7. Earthquake SCL: Drop-Cover-Hold. Away from windows.
💡 Enroll in STEP before departure: step.state.gov — free, US State Dept will alert you of emergencies
📋 Pre-Trip Prep
What every bro needs to do before we go
📄 Documents
- ☐ US Passport valid through at least Nov 8, 2026 (6 months past return)
- ☐ At least 2 blank passport pages for stamps
- ☐ Photocopy of passport + digital copy (email to yourself)
- ☐ Travel insurance printout (buy via Amex Platinum Travel or Chapstick)
- ☐ Flight confirmations (printed backup)
- ☐ Hotel confirmations
- ☐ Emergency contacts list (each other's numbers)
💉 Health
- ☐ No required vaccines for Argentina or Chile
- ☐ Recommended: up-to-date routine (MMR, Tdap, flu)
- ☐ Prescription meds (carry-on, original containers, extra supply)
- ☐ OTC kit: ibuprofen, Imodium, electrolytes, band-aids, hand sanitizer
- ☐ Sunscreen SPF 50+ (UV is strong even in autumn)
- ☐ Consider: altitude acclimatization if hitting Andes day trips in Santiago
📱 Apps to Install Before Leaving
Cabify · rideshare preferred by locals
Uber · backup rideshare
WhatsApp · book tables + group chat
Google Translate · offline Spanish
Google Maps · offline BA + Santiago
Airalo / Holafly · eSIM data
Splitwise · group expenses
XE Currency · USD to ARS/CLP
🎟 Pre-Book NOW (before departure)
- ☐ Don Julio BA · book 2+ months ahead via CoverManager or WhatsApp
- ☐ La Carnicería BA · 3-4 weeks ahead via Meitre
- ☐ Anchoíta BA · 30+ days ahead via WhatsApp
- ☐ Boragó Santiago · 4-6 weeks ahead · the Chilean World's 50 Best pick
- ☐ 🔥 Club 69 @ Niceto · pre-buy tickets online (Thursday Apr 30 SELLS OUT)
- ☐ Teatro Colón tour · 2+ weeks ahead at teatrocolon.org.ar
- ☐ Nicky Harrison / Uptown BA · DM their Instagram day-of for password/reservation
💵 Money Prep
- ☐ Notify credit card companies of travel to Argentina + Chile · avoid fraud locks
- ☐ Bring ~$300-500 USD cash in clean, unmarked bills (100s best)
- ☐ Primary card: Visa or Mastercard (Amex less accepted in BA)
- ☐ BA currency: use credit card tap freely (rates now competitive post-Milei reforms)
- ☐ Santiago: CLP pesos · use card · small bills for markets/completos
- ☐ Skip ATM fees in BA — use USD cash for small shops, cards for hotels/restaurants
- ☐ Tipping: 10% at restaurants standard
🚨 Safety Briefing
- · Don't use phone at traffic lights in BA · motochorros (motorbike snatchers)
- · Never hail a street taxi in BA · always Cabify/Uber · fake-meter + bill-swap scams
- · Avoid at night: Villa 31, La Boca past the 3-block strip, Constitución
- · Santiago pickpockets: Bellavista Pío Nono, Plaza de Armas, metro rush hour
- · May 1 Labor Day · avoid Plaza de Mayo (Buenos Aires) — possible protests
- · "Mustard scam" · spray + helpful stranger + wallet gone · walk away firmly
- · Crossbody bag with zipper at all times
🤝 Group Coordination
- · WhatsApp group chat created in advance
- · Shared Google Doc with hotel addresses + flight confirmations
- · Splitwise for shared expenses (dinners, Ubers, activities)
- · Meeting point on arrival: hotel lobby Palermo Apr 28 between 11am-1pm
- · Daily rough plan shared in group chat morning-of
- · Night out strategy: stick together in groups of 3 after 2am