Three suggestions:

1. Make sure you have a valid passport.
2. Learn a little Spanish
3. Look at a map to get an overview of BsAs

Make sure you have a valid passport

Check your passport. U.S. citizens will need a valid passport to enter Argentina. If you don't have a passport or it will expire within six months, click here: http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html

A visa is not necessary. Instead, upon your arrival you will be issued a free tourist card valid for 90 days and renewable for an additional 90 days

There are two ways to obtain a 90-day extension. First, you can go to the Direccion de Migraciones (ph. 4317-0200) at Antardida Argentina 1355. Go early and don't plan other activities for the day! An easier option is to take a ferry to Colonia, Uruguay. Spend a pleasant day looking around this colonial city and return the same night. Since you are reentering the country, you will be issued a second free 90 day tourist card. Schedules and fares are available on the Buquebus website: http://www.buquebus.com/argentina/home.htm

Map of BsAs

http://www.fcen.uba.ar/donde/igm/0mz3.htm

Learn a little Spanish. Yes, they speak Spanish in Argentina. Sort of. Castellano is an Italian-accented version of Spanish spoken by Argentinos. Castellano makes use of uncommon verb forms (vosotros) and pronunciations of some words. For example Yo in Argentina is pronounce "show". But if you speak Spanish learned elsewhere you will have no difficulty communicating.

In Buenos Aires you will also be able to make do if you do not speak Spanish, though learning even a little Spanish in advance will help make your trip more enjoyable. Pimsler's highly regarded 16 lesson Spanish Instant Conversation Course can be found for a discounted price here: http://www.bigredgarage.com/home.htm

Another option is to purchase a phrase book, such as Lonely Planet's Latin American Spanish.
This handy Phrasebook has an excellent section on grammar as well as phrases for travelers covering a wide variety of settings, from restaurants to the bedroom. Order from LP's website: http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/product_detail.cfm?productID=181&seriesID=4&seriesname=Phrasebooks&

Need to translate a short document? http://www.free-translator.com/

Pirate: Here's something I wrote in response to a recent query on the S. America chat. I may sound like I know what the hell I'm talking about, but don't let that fool you. Do you know about any of this stuff? I assume it is good...

Re: Know of a Spanish language tape or cd with Argentine accent?
Webmaster: Hombre

Posted by Bull_Winkle on September 15, 2003 - 0:22 am

In Reply to: Know of a Spanish language tape or cd with Argentine accent? posted by Greengrasser on September 14, 2003 - 18:06 pm

Yup, they impose a soft "j" or even a "sh" on the "ll" and "y" letters. After too many years with an Argentine girlfriend (hint: fuckin' crazy), I once went to a Mexican restaurant and asked the waitress (from somewhere in New York) for some chile rellenos (and I pronounced it "chile reSHenos). In her thick subway accent, she "corrected" my pronunciation. It was kinda hilarious.

I don't know of such a tape, but the Platequemos Spanish program features various latin American accents.

Argentine Spanish is relatively difficult to understand. Argentines are kinda funky and irritable, plus they think they are real Europeans and speak quickly and unclearly. Gotta factor that into the equation.

Next time you are in a bookstore, check out the Insight Guide to Argentina (brought to you by the Discovery Channel). See the section on Language (p366).

You might try contacting a language school in Argentina. It sounds like Berlitz Language Centers may carry such a tape.

Check out the following web pages, which discuss Argentine slang, and Argentine Spanish (Rioplatense, lunfardo):

http://www.angelfire.com/ego/pdf/ng/arsp_slang_dict.html

http://www.angelfire.com/ego/pdf/ng/arsp.html

http://www.ldsmissions.net/mac/slang.html

http://draves.org/curtis/wallys/introduction.html