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. There are a number of well-trained expatriate masseuses who have set up shop in Buenos Aires, although they tend to charge a bit more than local practitioners. Getting a massage in Spanish is low-pressure way to great way to get a little practice and the lack of the ability to communicate can be a bonus — who wants to gab during a massage?
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.
Keep in mind that, as in many places of the world, ‘massage’ can be used as a ‘code word’ to indicate sexual services (especially on Craigslist ads). Since the government banned so-called ‘Rubro 59’ ads — the sexual service ads that 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 who scheduled a massage only to find out that they unintentionally booked an appointment with a prostitute. Similarly, massage therapists recount 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 you can go to a spa such as Home Hotel, although the price might be a little higher than one would pay privately.
Centro/Monserrat
Jorge Gassetti is a massage therapist specializing in deep tissue, Do-In, Shiatsu and Tui-Na for dancers and athletes. In his 30-year career he has worked as the official masseuse for the Municipal General San Martín ballet, the London Contemporary Dance Theater, Stuttgart Ballet in Germany, the Birget Culberg Ballet of Sweden, the Argentine Volleyball team at the 1998 Pan American Games and for Argentina female hockey team at the 2003 Olympics in Sydney. He has flexible hours but only speaks Spanish.
Jorge Gassetti
Esmeralda 570
Rosy Ramirez is a shiatsu masseuse and yoga instructor who knows her stuff. She works out of her Monserrat home with a studio, near downtown Buenos Aires. The earthy Brazilian gives an oil-free full-body floor massage that is more focused on the meridians than muscle groups. Those who are modest will be happy that this type of massage does not require removal of clothes, but it’s recommended to go in comfortable, loose clothes. Maybe because of her 20 years of experience, Rosy is one of those healers who seems to be able to pick up on the subtleties of whatever may be out of whack in the body, while working she may make comments such as ‘you have yearly sinus infections’ or ‘you need to cut-down your caffeine intake.’ Her intuitive powers are sought out by those suffering from conditions such as diabetes, sleep difficulties and chronic pain. She also specializes in working with pregnant women.
Rosy Ramirez
Adolfo de Alsina 960 / 3C
San Telmo
Susana Ines De Abreu runs Baires Massage in San Telmo. She doesn’t speak English but since she receives a lot of foreign clients, including many from the South American Explorers Club, she is accustomed to dealing with clients who speak caveman Spanish. She studied at Buenos Aires’ Atrica Institute and offer a variety of style of massage including acupressure, shiatsu, Thai Massage, reflexology and lymphatic massage, a gentle massage that is quite popular in Buenos Aires for those suffering from Edema, looking to kick-start the immune system or to lose weight and treat cellulite.
Book through Wander Argentina. Reserve your appointment with 72 hours advanced notice please.
Baires Massage
632 Carlos Calvo,
San Telmo
• Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
Why Book Online
• Safety — give peace of mind to yourself and the masseuse with the understanding you are booking a legitimate therapeutic massage
• Savings —book through Wander-Argentina and receive your massage at a special discounted price
• Knowledge — All the massage therapists listed here are trained and certified
• Booking — We will set up your appointment for you if you don’t speak Spanish. Make sure to indicate the date and time when you contact us
Terms of online booking
• If you would like assistance in booking a massage in Buenos Aires, please get in touch.
• If you need to change your appointment, please do so 48 hours in advance
• After paying a booking deposit, the remainder of the special published price is due at your session
• Deposit is non-refundable if you miss your appointment without rescheduling
• For additional questions, please contact us!
Join our safe online booking program
Are you a Buenos Aires-based trained and certified massage therapist who 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!
