Massage in Buenos Aires

If you’re on vacation or living in Buenos Aires and feeling the stress of city life, it may be the perfect time to treat yourself to a massage.

One thing to be aware of is that there is no official licensing requirement for massage in Buenos Aires or anywhere else in Argentina. This means that anyone can call themselves a ‘massage therapist,’ whether they have training or not. When making an appointment for a massage feel free to ask the provider where they studied, for how long and any other questions that might give you an idea of their level of training, or better yet go to someone who comes recommended.

There are a handful of professional massage therapists with overseas licensing who have set up shop in Buenos Aires, although they tend to charge a bit more than local practitioners without the same training.

Keep in mind that, as in many places of the world, ‘massage’ can be used as a ‘code word’ to indicate sexual services. Since the government banned so-called ‘Rubro 59’ ads — the sexual service ads that used to appear in the back section of newspapers and magazines, it became harder to suss out who is a massage therapist and who just pretending to be one. Stories abound in Buenos Aires of expats or visitors who scheduled a massage or wander into a walk-in massage parlor only to find out that they unintentionally booked an appointment for a massage with a ‘happy ending’ (usually referred to as a ‘relax massage’). Similarly, Buenos Aires’ professional massage therapists all have stories of clients who book an appointment but make it clear when they arrive that they are looking for much more than a therapeutic massage.

To avoid any confusion visitors can go to a spa such as Home Hotel, although the treatment at hotel spas may not be more than a fluff and buff and the price might be a little higher than one would pay privately.

Booking a Massage Online

One good option for those visiting Buenos Aires is to call in a mobile massage therapist to your hotel or AirBnB.

Pablo Gonzalez is a professional massage therapist licensed in the United States, with 11 years of experience as lead therapist in well-known hotels of USA and Argentina such as the Ritz Carlton key Biscayne, Mandarin Oriental Miami, Setai Hotel of Miami, Park Hyatt Buenos Aires, Four Season hotel Buenos Aires, Faena Hotel Buenos Aires, and Melia Recoleta Hotel.

He specializes in clinical and deep tissue massage and spa treatments. He’s also fluent in English.

Set up an appointment with Pablo online using the coupon code ‘WANDER-ARGENTINA’ and get AR$200 off your massage at your hotel or apartment.

Why Book Online

• Safety — give peace of mind to yourself and the masseuse with the understanding you are booking a legitimate therapeutic massage

• Savings —input the code ‘WANDER-ARGENTINA’ and receive your massage at a special discounted price

• Knowledge — Know you’re getting a massage therapist who is trained and certified, understands the human body enough to avoid injury and work out any problem areas and speaks English

—Terms of online booking

• Please read Pablo’s terms and conditions before finalizing your booking

→ BOOK YOUR MASSAGE NOW

Join our safe online booking program

Are you a Buenos Aires-based trained and certified massage therapist who speaks English and would be willing to give a discounted price to our readers for the security of online booking? For this and other inquiries get in touch via our contact form!

Radio Taxi Companies in Buenos Aires

It can happen so easily in Buenos Aires — you need to call a taxi but have no numbers handy. You look in the phone book and the numbers listed are out of order or just plain old not answering the phone, you need to get to the airport and time is running out.

When you need a taxi you need a taxi — even if it’s a Sunday and all the taxi drivers are watching the big fútbol game! So we started to collect cards of some good taxi companies when we enjoyed a pleasant ride and are listing them here, for those times when you’re caught in the rain without an umbrella, need to rush to the airport or are on a bad date and need a getaway car.

If you need a ride to or from the airport/s check out Wander Argentina’s Airport Transfer Service.

Onda Verde
4867-0000

Premium
This is one of the big companies, you can even call a car through their website.
4374-6666
5238-0000

Radio Taxi Siglo
This company also services the suburbs of Buenos Aires
4633-4000

New Taxi
4551-1110
Nextel: 190*2523

Non-Invasive Beauty Treatments in Buenos Aires

Argentina is a popular destination all types of beauty procedures, not just plastic surgery, and for good reason. A treatment that in other countries would go for hundreds of Euros or dollars costs a lot less in Argentina.

Nonetheless, the level of doctor training and technology rivals that of any northern country.

Those visiting Argentina who have skin problems such as Rosacea, spider veins or dark spots but never received any treatment at home because of prohibitive costs may want to consider a cosmetic visit once they see the affordable prices for these treatments in Buenos Aires. It’s also a good place to get laser hair removal and other simple procedures (even dentistry) at a low cost.

Beauty Treatments in Palermo

Silvana Dato, a doctor who practices aesthetic medicine in Las Cañitas, estimates that around 80% of Porteños from the wealthier northern neighborhoods such as Palermo and Belgrano of the city regularly receive some kind of aesthetic treatment such as laser hair removal, micro-dermoabrasion or Botox. In her office a wide range of treatments are available so that the doctor can design a course of treatments specific to each patient’s needs.

Popular treatments include laser hair removal, radio frequency to stimulate collagen production and revive the skin and mesotherapy, a treatment of tiny injections of pharmaceutical and homeopathic compounds to ‘kill’ fat cells and improve the appearance of the epidermis. Mesotherapy has long been used in Europe and South America but is considered controversial in the U.S.

The number one requested treatment here is laser hair removal, especially among male clients. In spite of the fact that the term ‘metrosexual’ has only recently been coined in Argentina, urban Argentine men aren’t adverse to pampering themselves, or at least getting some hair removed from their backs.

The best advertisement for Dr. Silvana Dato’s services is the doctor herself. The saucy 53 year-old says she’s never had any invasive beauty treatment such as plastic surgery. As a result, she is the personification of the concept of aging gracefully — she at once looks her age and remains gorgeous. Dato herself is shy about speaking English but her friendly staff includes young English speakers who can help translate. A bonus are the line of skincare products including a non-greasy sunblock that the doctor makes up herself.

Dr. Silvana Dato
Avenida Luis María Campos 559
Las Cañitas, Palermo
Tel: 4774-7279

Belgrano Non-invasive Beauty Treatments

Anti-aging, rejuvenative and longevity medicine specialist, Adrian Jaime may offer some treatments that seem unorthodox to those unfamiliar but he’s board certified and recommended by Argentina’s glossy fashion magazines. Among the treatments he offers are ‘Laser Beauty Shock’ and Thermage, ‘cellular skin cocktails’ that make frown and furrow lines less noticeable. Cellular Regeneration is a treatment program claimed to make clients feel and look ten years younger. It combines diet, exercise and natural extracts with pro-vitamin components, said to stimulate the immune system.

Medical Center of Skincare and Anti-aging
Dr. Adrian Jaime
Pampa 2802 – Piso 1 B
Belgrano
Tel.: 4786-3018

San Telmo Salon

In the southern side of the city, at the edges of the San Telmo sits the low-key office of XY Alma Laser. Here the latest laser technology is used for painless hair removal, their most popular treatment. Several sessions are required to permanently remove pesky unwanted hairs, especially for those with course, dark hair. Various promotions are on offer for a complete course of laser treatment to get rid of unwanted hairs for good. For those concerned with hair loss there’s a treatment for that too.

Those fighting the effects of aging on the body, changes from pregnancy or hardcore couch potatoes who want to pass on exercise can receive ten sessions of muscular electro-stimulation on the thighs and stomach. They also offer facials with microdermabasion to deep clean all the grime of the city. XY Alma is located on a block of San Telmo that may be startling to those new to the city (it sits across from a soup kitchen), but once you step inside the low lights and herbal infusions are meant to give visitors a ‘day spa’ experience.

XY Alma Laser
México 637
San Telmo
Tel:4331-6066

* This is NOT a sponsored post — this article was published because we have just been asked about by our guests about beauty treatments in Buenos Aires.

-> See where to get a haircut in Buenos Aires

Getting a Haircut in Buenos Aires

Argentine d-list actress, Charo Lopez with an Argentine mullet — It could happen to you…

If you need a haircut in Buenos Aires and, like us, think beauty comes from within, no problem. You can just pop into any of the many barbershops or salons and take your chances on a cheap haircut.

When you look in the mirror and see the result—which will probably be similar to a haircut you had in 1988 — just shrug your shoulders and say to yourself, ‘Well, at least I blend in with the locals.’

If, on the other hand, your hair is important to you, getting a haircut in Buenos Aires can become a personal crisis if you’re not careful. The thing is that Argentina never got the memo that mullets—you know, the ‘serious in the front, party in the back’ haircut is the brunt of jokes worldwide. Argentina even takes the tragedy of the mullet even one step further — among certain groups a popular haircut among young people is the ‘dreadlock mullet.’

A picture of the Argentine hairstyle we call the 'dreadlock mullet' — The ‘dreadlock mullet’

Another hairdressing disaster for women to be weary about is getting a dye job — you might find yourself walking out of the salon with a porn-star blond coif if you don’t seek out a trusted professional.

The potentially disastrous results are only compounded if your Spanish is a bit rusty. The moral of the story is, if you don’t want to play Russian Roulette with your hair, you’ll definitely want to make an appointment with someone who comes recommended.

That being said, if you are learning Spanish, getting a haircut in Spanish is one of those things that will serve as an excellent, if nerve-racking way to get some practice.

Microcentro

As foreign residents of Buenos Aires know, there is always one go-to ‘expat hairstylist’ who speaks English. First it was Ryan, then it was Teri and now it’s Daniel Diaz. Diaz is a former tech worker who decided to change his career and go into the salon business, training at Vidal Sassoon and Wella schools. He does precision cuts and color and is experienced with all hair types and specializes in dry cutting curl hair. He does his two-hour long ‘haircuts that will get you laid’ out of his apartment in Tribunales/Microcentro. Connect with him via his Facebook Page, Daniel Diaz Hair or old fashion email: l[email protected].

Recoleta

Guys looking for a haircut and a shave in Recoleta could try a basic barbershop such as Aldo Arias Peluquería which gives basic cuts for a reasonable price.

Aldo Arias
Parana 947
Recoleta
Tel: 4812.4176
hours: 9:30am-3 pm

If you believe paying a bit more may increase the chances that you’ll get a haircut you’re happy with you could try the high energy salon Volumen 3 in Recoleta where a basic trendy haircut and style are a bit more pricey, but reasonable.

Volumen 3
Paraná 1163
Tel: 4815-0508/8424
hours: 10-10 everyday, except Sunday

Palermo/Caballito

If you’re adventurous, have a some pesos to burn and are looking for a ‘rock star haircut,’ you could try the flashy salon, Roho which has two locations, one in Palermo and one in Caballito. The owner, Horacio, the rock n’ roller’s barber of choice, works at the Caballito location.

If you head to Roho, just keep in mind that some Argentine rockers stuck in the 80’s do still wear mullets and you may walk out with one yourself, but it will be the most rockin’ mullet ever!

Roho Palermo
Malabia 1931
Tel: 4833-7227 / 9545
•Hours: 11am-9pm

Rojo Caballito
Pasaje Republica de Indonesia 66
Tel: (54 11) 44901-3292 / 4904 0236
• Hours: everyday, 11am -8pm

San Telmo

If you just want a quick and cheap trim at a down-to-earth walk-in salon in San Telmo try Luis César Almarás, a plastic artist and stylist who can give you a basic cut starting at a very reasonable price.

Enjoy the repartee he has with his 80-year old mom, who helps out washing hair. You can also check out his art and amusing personal notes written to himself that adorn the walls. Luis can do whatever you like and has no problem giving non-traditional cuts, but be forewarned: don’t tell him to do whatever he wants — he is an abstract artist after all. Walk-in only, no appointments.

Almarás
Taquari 671
San Telmo
Tel: 15-6271-7900
15-5135-5147
• Hours:Mon-Sat 9:30am-8pm, closed Sun

Barrio Norte

The name is quite boring, the pricing is mid-range to high but Nuevo Club Buenos Aires, a funky place downtown gives reliably stylish men’s and women’s cuts and delivers them with attitude as well. They also offer a few extra services, such as massages, manicures and pedicures, and they even serve alcoholic drinks along with the usual tea and coffee. Getting a haircut here is a social occasion, and the staff are fun as well as skillful.

They are also the kind of hairdressers who offer useful suggestions regarding your hairstyle, rather than just ask you what you want, which can be particularly helpful for guys who don’t have a whole bunch of ideas about their hairstyle. Here, it does depend somewhat on who you end up with as your stylist. Ask for Diego, who speaks English and gives great men’s cuts, avoid ‘Cubi,’ who forgets that it’s the client is suppose to complain about life, not the hairdresser.

• Nuevo Club Bs. As.
Marcelo T. De Alvear 1217
Barrio Norte
Tel: (54-11) 4813-5947, 5235-0007
[email protected]
• Hours: 10am – 8pm

Cerini, with its four locations across the city, is always at the, er, cutting edge of Argentine and international style and is a place where fashionable Porteños get their hair cut. Ask for Andres at the Barrio Norte store.

• Cerini
Marcelo T. De Alvear 1471
Barrio Norte
Tel: (5411) 4813-3594
• Hours: Mon—Sat: 8am-10pm

Belgrano

Cerini Belgrano
Sucre 2245
Belgrano
Tel: 4787-3400

Suburbs

Vedia 3626
Dot Baires Shopping
Tel: 5777-9703

Alvear 370
Martinez, Zona Norte
Tel: 4792-4990

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