Buenos Aires Basics

Buenos Aires Basics: Cell Phone plans and Making Calls

BA Basics

By | January 19, 2009

Smart Phone

Everything you need to know about getting a sim card, choosing a cellphone plan and making phone calls in Argentina.

How do I dial Argentine phone numbers?

Regular landline and cell phone numbers in Buenos Aires consist of the city code (11 or 15), followed by an 8-digit number.

Example: 11.1234.5678 or 15.1234.5678.

To call a cell phone in Argentina from outside the country, dial the country code (54), followed by the number (9), followed by the city code (11), and then the 8-digit number.

Example: 54.9.11.1234.5678.

For international calls, most people use Whatsapp, a popular calling and messaging app that can make video and audio calls to other devices that also have Whatsapp. If you need to make an international call to a landline, Skype will probably be your best bet.

A few useful country codes from around the world:

UK: 44-number Ireland: 353-number
US: 1-number Israel: 972-number
Canada: 1-number Italy: 39-number
France: 33-number Netherlands: 31-number
Australia: 66-number New Zealand: 64-number
Germany: 49-number South Africa: 27-number
Sweden: 46-number Belgium: 32-number

How do I get a phone plan in Argentina?

Whether you’re a visitor who counts on google maps, or an expat planning on a longer stay, getting an Argentine sim card will be considerably less expensive than an international data plan from back home.

If you’ll be in Argentina for less than a month, consider getting one of the “tourist” sim cards. These come preloaded with around 3GB of data and 30 minutes of prepaid international calls.

For a longer term stay, you’ll need to go to the cell phone operator’s store and get set up. Make sure to bring your passport, and ask for a “chip” (sim card). They’ll get you set up with a new Argentine phone number, but unlike the US you won’t need to commit to a yearly phone plan. You can add money to your account at your discretion at the recargar machines located in most kioskos (corner stores), and subte (subway) stations. After adding money to your account, you can select how much data or minutes you’d like online and Violá, you’re in business.

Which cell phone provider is the best in Argentina?

Claro, Movistar and Personal are the three main cell phone providers in Argentina. Claro is probably the most popular choice amongst visitors, but all three offer very similar pricing and coverage.

If you are going to buy the 30 day tourist sim card, Personal will probably be the most convenient option, because they have a location at EZE airport open 24/7 that offers these prepaid sims. Otherwise, you can get the best deal by checking out if any of the three companies happen to be running a promotion at the time. One or another often offer signup bonuses or special prices to attract new customers.

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