🎁 Top 15 souvenirs from Buenos Aires

After seeing the sights of sunny Buenos Aires, enjoying passionate tango and trying marbled beef steak, the question will certainly arise: “What should I bring home?” Since Argentina is a rather colorful country with its own cultural characteristics, choosing gifts for your loved ones should not be a problem.

Let ’s immediately talk about the exchange rate and the local currency. The best way to come here is with dollars, and then exchange them for local money – pesos. If you plan to make purchases in stores where you can pay with a card, then it is most convenient to get it in dollars in advance. But keep in mind that not all bank cards work here.

If you decide to stroll through flea markets and visit local shopkeepers, then it is better, of course, to take cash. However, note that $10 is practically 3,500 pesos, which is quite a hefty pile of money. Experienced tourists say that in Buenos Aires it is profitable to change money not in state banks, but at the “black” rate from the “money changers” on the street. But be warned, it can be dangerous and troublesome. The choice is yours. 

Shopping, in the usual sense for us, is not profitable in Buenos Aires. Because many well-known brands and equipment are much more expensive here. If you wish, you can visit the Galerías Pacifico shopping center. This is a “boutique” type place where many luxury shops are located. But it’s definitely worth a walk here, even if you don’t plan to buy anything.

But special attention should be paid to souvenir shopping. For gifts from Argentina, you should go to the La Boca area or Florida Street. And the first thing to do is buy a calabash – a special vessel for mate. Mate tea is a favorite drink among Argentines. It is obtained by grinding the leaves of the Paraguayan holly.

The drink has stimulating, healing, tonic and cleansing properties. Calabash is obtained by hollowing out or drying a pumpkin. Don’t forget to buy a special tube for such a vessel – a bombilla. If the taste of the drink itself is not to your liking, then such a container can be adapted to store anything.

Of course, you need to stock up on local condensed milk – dulce de leche, which is the pride of the locals. In the central areas of the city there are specialized shops where you can try different types of this sweet. As for me, it differs from our condensed milk: more liquid and not such a uniform consistency. But they sell it beautifully packaged, so you can safely take it as a gift.

Argentina is famous for its wines, so not buying two or three bottles would be a big mistake. Malbec is a very rich red wine, and it is the grape varieties that grow in Argentina. When choosing wine, you should know one more word: bodega – wine house. The most famous in the country are Catena Zapata, Luigi Bosca, Finca or Terrazas de los Andes.

Ponchos remind of the country's Indian past. They can be purchased not only as a souvenir, but also as a useful wardrobe item. 

You should also pay attention to leather products, especially buffalo leather. Belts, wallets, gloves – all this is available here in pretty good quality. This souvenir will last for many years.

On weekends, be sure to check out the San Telmo area. Here there is a fair along the entire street up to May Square. Here you can buy a huge number of handmade souvenirs. Football fans will also be pleased: here you will find T-shirts, scarves and other paraphernalia with the names of your favorite players.

We bought local playing cards at a souvenir shop. They, of course, differ from the ones we are used to, but it won’t be difficult to figure it out. This set will make a good gift and will remind you of your visit to Argentina.