Local Culture in Argentina

The local culture in Argentina offers expats a unique and complex experience. Argentina is a country with a rich cultural heritage, shaped by its history of indigenous traditions, Spanish colonial influences, and Italian immigration. Adjusting to life in Argentina can also be a challenging process as expats grapple with the differences between their home cultures and the norms of their new surroundings.

The degree of culture shock you’ll experience will vary considerably from province to province, although if you’re interested in living outside the big cities, you’ll probably experience more difficulty acculturating. In the capital, Buenos Aires, any culture shock you feel will likely be mild. You’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in Paris, London or Rome. Buenos Aires and other major urban centres offer cosmopolitan lifestyles with excellent public transport, world-class dining, cultural events, and active expat communities.

Women in Argentina

Women in Argentina are increasingly faced with challenges, and the Milei administration has rolled back many gender equality initiatives. The government shut down the Ministry of Women, Genders, and Diversity entirely and declared its intention to prohibit ‘anything related to gender perspective’ within the national administration. Budget cuts to gender-based violence programmes reached 70 to 100 percent in the first months of the new administration.

Argentina, like many other Latin American countries, has a history of machismo, or an overemphasis on masculinity, which can manifest as various forms of gender inequality. In the past few years, feminist movements have made progress, but the current state of politics has made things more difficult. Gender-based violence is a serious issue in Argentina, especially with support systems that previously existed being significantly reduced.

Machismo also comes with some traditional chivalrous behaviours, such as men holding doors or letting women off elevators first. The culture of chivalry often comes with expectations that men will pay for women’s expenses in restaurants or on public transport.

LGBTQ+ in Argentina

When it comes to LGBTQ+ issues in Argentina, expats will find a country that had made significant legal advances now enduring political pressure. The country was once a regional leader, becoming the first Latin American country to legalise same-sex marriage in 2010 and enacting progressive gender identity laws in 2012 that allow people to change their legal gender without medical intervention.

Now, several rollbacks have occurred. The government dismissed transgender people hired under the Trans Labour Quota Law and closed anti-discrimination institutions. In early 2025, authorities implemented a ban on gender-affirming care for people under 18, although courts have challenged some measures. The administration has also moved to eliminate comprehensive sexuality education programmes in schools.

These changes in the country’s social trajectory may be worrying, but rest assured that Argentina’s legal framework for LGBTQ+ rights is largely intact, and Buenos Aires continues to have an active LGBTQ+ scene. Social acceptance varies significantly between urban areas like Buenos Aires, which stay relatively progressive, and more conservative rural regions.

Political protests in Argentina

Political protests in Argentina sharply intensified after President Javier Milei took office in December 2023. There are frequent demonstrations in Buenos Aires and other cities, and tens of thousands regularly take to the streets to oppose austerity measures, university funding cuts, and social policy rollbacks. Violent clashes between protesters and riot police have become common, particularly around Congress.

The US Embassy regularly issues demonstration alerts, advising visitors to ‘avoid areas of demonstrations’. If you find yourself near a protest, move away from the area immediately. Large crowds are unpredictable, and what begins as a peaceful demonstration can be quickly turned into a confrontation with police.

Local customs in Argentina

The traditional siesta, which involves a four-to-five-hour shutdown in the hottest part of the day, has largely disappeared from modern Argentine cities. Buenos Aires and other major urban centres now follow standard 8am to 6pm work schedules, but you may still encounter siesta culture in rural areas and small towns, where shops may close from 12.30pm until 4pm.

The late dining culture remains unchanged throughout Argentina. Restaurants often do not open for dinner until 9pm, and most people go out to eat around 10.30pm. Clubs only start filling up after 1am. City streets stay bustling with people at midnight or even in the early hours of the morning. Even children are still up and energetic at these hours.

Greeting customs are another aspect expats might struggle with initially. Kissing on the cheek when greeting hello and goodbye is deeply embedded in Argentine culture. When Argentines enter a room, every single person − stranger or family − receives one kiss on the right cheek. This applies even in business settings.

People in Argentina are very passionate about football (soccer), and they often talk about it. The country has produced some of the best football players in the world, and watching a game in a local stadium can be an exciting cultural experience.

Tango is a dance that originated in Argentina, and it is an important part of the country’s cultural heritage. Many locals take tango lessons and attend milongas (tango dance parties) regularly.

Language barrier in Argentina

One of the biggest struggles for expats moving to Argentina is not being able to speak the native language. English is widely spoken in Buenos Aires and other large cities, but becomes much less common outside urban centres. To complicate matters further, Argentines are known for having a very specific dialect that differs markedly from European Spanish.

This language barrier can make things like banking and renting an apartment difficult for newcomers. Even having a basic grasp of the language will help with simple tasks like ordering at a restaurant or getting directions. Buenos Aires has a strong network of Spanish-language schools catering to expats and international students.

Learning Spanish in Argentina

Shopping and food in Argentina

Buying food in Argentina differs from what a lot of expats may be accustomed to, and it has become more complex due to economic volatility. There are major supermarket chains like Carrefour and DIA, but many Argentines still prefer shopping at specialist shops − the bakery for bread, the butcher for meat, and the grocer for fresh vegetables and fruit.

The economic situation has led to price increases of up to 50 percent in some supermarkets. Food prices are particularly volatile. Supermarket prices in Buenos Aires can now exceed those in many European countries. This makes the traditional approach of specialist shopping more appealing for budget-conscious locals and expats alike. 

Argentina is a meat-lover’s destination. Popular dishes such as locro, asado, parrillas and empanadas typically centre on beef. That said, Buenos Aires has experienced remarkable growth in its vegetarian and vegan scene. Plant-based eateries are cropping up throughout the capital, and a growing number of Argentinians now identify as vegetarian or vegan.

Mate is a traditional South American tea that is popular in Argentina. It is often shared among friends and family in social settings, customarily drunk from a shared gourd using a metal straw called a bombilla.

Dos and don’ts in Argentina

• Do greet people with a kiss on the cheek – this is common, even between people meeting someone for the first time
• Do learn some basic Spanish – it will significantly improve your daily experience
• Don’t be too direct, as Argentines value politeness and indirect communication
• Do dress neatly and conservatively, especially in business settings
• Don’t wear a hat indoors
• Do try the local cuisine. Omnivores should try some of Argentina’s famous beef, and the asado (barbecue) is a quintessential Argentine experience and a great way to socialise with locals.
• Don’t tip excessively. Tipping in Argentina is generally around 10 percent in restaurants, and over-tipping can be seen as showing off.
• Do be punctual for business meetings and formal appointments, even though social gatherings tend to be more relaxed about timing
• Do exercise caution when discussing politics and economics, especially given the current polarised climate
• Don’t bring up the Falklands. The Falklands (or Malvinas, as they are known in Argentina) are a sensitive topic for many Argentines.
• Do stay alert about your surroundings, particularly in Buenos Aires, where petty crime has increased. Hand over valuables without resistance if confronted by robbers.