Buenos Aires, Argentina Hotels and City Guide

Buenos Aires - Shopping

Buenos Aires Shopping

Most shops are open Mon-Fri 09.00-20.00, Sat 09.00-13.00. Shopping malls are open every day from 10.00-22.00

Stretching for ten city blocks from Avenida de Mayo to Plaza San Martin, Florida Street is Buenos Aires’ best and busiest pedestrian shopping area in the heart of the city. Everything you could possibly want from jewellery, leather goods, shoes, clothes, perfumes, books, maps, CDs and DVDs are on offer here. When foot-weary, relax at one of the many cafés and restaurants.

Also explore Galerías Pacifico, a chic, luxurious shopping mall in an elegant revamped 1891 building. The interior of its beautiful dome is decorated with frescoes painted by famous Argentine artists. The mall stocks all the renowned clothing brands, has a food court and cinemas. A second, shorter pedestrian street, Lavalle Street, and Avenida Corrientes both intersect Florida Street forming part of this large retail therapy area.

Recoleta, the city’s most elegant district, is where the most exclusive shops are found in leafy lanes. Avenida Alvear has a definite Parisian flavour where chic boutiques mingle with palatial mansions. International designers include Armani, Cartier, Escada, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Polo and Ralph Lauren.

San Telmo, with its cobblestoned streets and entertainers, is a delightful place to shop for antiques. Don’t miss the Sunday Antique Fair on Plaza Dorrego.

Off Avenida Corrientes, at the epicenter of Abasto barrio, is the Abasto Shopping Mall converted from the old fruit and vegetable market into the city’s largest mall. Abasto is synonymous with the great tango singer Carlos Gardel who lived most of his life here.

Puerto Madero is a modern, colourful shopping area.

Buenos Aires tax Refunds

A primary state revenue earner is the 21% VAT known as the Impuesto de Valor Agregado (IVA). You can obtain tax refunds on purchases of ARS70 or more made at participating stores which show a “TAX-FREE SHOPPING” logo – not all shops participate in tax-free shopping, so check before you buy.

Show your passport to the merchant and request an original Invoice B and Global Refund Check. On leaving the country keep the invoice and purchased items in your carry-on baggage so a customs official can check them. Check in for your flight. Then go to the desk next to check-in counter 26. Your passport and tax-free forms will be checked and then stamped. Once you have gone through passport control proceed to the desk near Gate 9 where you will need to present the same forms.

You will have the option of accepting pesos or crediting the amount to the purchasing credit card. Leave yourself extra time at the airport to claim your refund.

Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina