Special Groups: Women, Senior, Gay & Lesbian Travelers - Tourist Information. Argentina

Women Travelers


Just as in the U.S., women’s rights and opportunities do not quite equal their male counterparts’. Argentina may have a female president, but still a much smaller percentage of women than men are involved in politics, and it is more difficult for them to succeed in the business world.


A lot of pressure is put on a woman’s appearance, which will be especially apparent if you travel to Buenos Aires, and don´t be surprised if you get frequently ogled or cat-called. Being physically harassed is unlikely. You may experience some harassment in bars or dance clubs, but tango dancing is generally a safe alternative for single women and does not produce unwanted expectations from male dance partners. Be leery, however, about accepting invitations to go out with a man alone.


You will be safer and avoid unwanted attention if you dress conservatively and refrain from wearing a lot of jewelry. (For Buenos Aires: if you are worried about standing out, try sticking to darker, dressier clothing.) Take extra precautions when walking at night, and use a taxi when you can. In big cities, keep car doors locked and windows closed.


Pick-pocketing and purse cutting are common, especially in crowded places like public buses, so try to stay aware of what’s around you. To minimize your risk in these situations, you can carry bags that are small or inconspicuous, zip closed and/or are easy to keep close to your person. Don´t keep money or credit cards in open pockets. If you are wearing a backpack, you can put it on frontwards to better monitor your belongings.


(*Note: don’t let this information make you overly nervous or paranoid - these are just a few precautions you can take for greater safety. Be street smart, evaluate the situation for yourself - you will usually be able to judge whether or not you’re at risk.)


Argentina has a 24-hour police helpline in English for tourists visiting Buenos Aires, which you can reach by dialing 101. You can also contact the police office for tourists, Comisaría del Turista, by dialing toll-free, 0800 999 5000, or by calling directly, 4346 5748 (this line provides service in several languages).
Gay and Lesbian Travelers


Latin American acceptance of queers and queer culture has come a long way in the past decade, even just in the past few years, and Argentina is leading the way. In 2003 Buenos Aires became the first city in Latin America to legalize same-sex unions. Buenos Aires and Rosario both have anti-discrimination laws for homosexuals, and the national constitution has some anti-discrimination provisions as well.


Buenos Aires has by far the most to offer queer travelers, and the list of hotels, venues and events that cater to the gay community is growing daily. In September of 2007 the city hosted the Gay World Cup, part of International Gay and Lesbian Football Association World Soccer Championships that started in 1991. In October Buenos Aires saw the arrival of Latin America’s first luxury hotel for gay men - The Axel Hotel.


Granted, this is not all due to good will. An estimated 20 percent of the tourists who come to Buenos Aires are gay, in other words, about $600 million a year. There is still something of a lag between services and attitudes, but one is pushing the other along at a quick clip.


If you are planning a vacation to Buenos Aires, www.gaymapbuenosaires.com is a great resource. It marks gay discos, pubs, bars, restaurants and bath houses across the city. You can get it online or at the tourist office in the city.


Clubs


Amerika, Gascón 1040


Angel’s, Viamonte 2168


Alsina, Alsina 934, open Fri. and Sun.


Codigo Search, Av. Rivadavía 1910


Glam, Cabrera 3046


Marlene, Colombres 770


The Sub Club, Córdoba 543 Verona, Hipólito Yrigoyen 968


XO Disco y Fiestas al Rojo, Cerrito 1060

Hotels


Alojagentina, Av. Córdoba 2415, 7th floor


BA Home and Business, www.bahomeandbusiness.com


El Patio Hostel, Entre Rios 677


La María Paloma Rural Hostel, www.lamariapaloma.com.ar


Restaurants


Chueca, Honduras 5255


Gurruchaga, Gurruchaga 1824


Empire (Thai food) Tres Sargentos 427


Inside, Bmé. Mitre 1571


La Farmacia, Bolívar 898


La Oveja Negra, Bolívar 860


La Tekla, Talcahuano 897

Bars

Contramano, Rodríguez Peña 1082Bach Bar, Cabrera 4390


Bulnes Class, Bulnes 1250


Casa Brandon, L.M. Drago 236


Cero Consecuencia, Carera 3769


Eternity Club, B. Mitre 3514


Donde BS AS, Hipólito Yrigoyen 968


Felinos Club (24 hrs), M.T. de Alvear 1260


Flux , M.T. de alvear 980


Homo Sapiens, Gascón 956


KM Zero, Av. Santa Fé 2516


Mina Pub, A. Córdoba 4042


Search, Azcuénaga 1007


Stiges, Av. Córdoba 4119


Transformation, Agüero 726

Art Galleries


Gallery Gay, www.galleryg.com.ar


Braga Menendez, Humbolt 1574


Isidro Miranda, www.isidromiranda.com.ar

Location
Argentina

Tourist Information.

About this Page

By Laura Granfortuna
I've always had the travel bug - maybe it's because I've been traveling around with my family since I was an infant, but mainly I think it's because...

Updated: 01 Aug 2011