EVENT DETAILS First things first. Here is some basic information about the W20 Summit event you should know: Dates & Time - Delegates Meeting - by invite only: Monday 1st from 9 AM to 5 PM - Public Sessions - by registration only: Tuesday 2nd from 8.30 AM to 6 PM - Public Sessions - by registration only: Wednesday 3rd from 8.30 AM to 1.30 PM Location Centro Cultural Kirchner (CCK) Address: Sarmiento 151, C1041AAE, CABA, Argentina Web Site: www.cck.gob.ar Language The W20 Summit will be conducted in English, as it is the official language of the event. Simultaneous translation to Spanish will be available. Attire Business casual attire is desired for the Delegates Meeting and the Public Sessions to be held at CCK. Meals Morning and/or afternoon coffee breaks and lunch are offered and funded by W20 during both the Delegates Meeting and the Public Sessions. 4
TRANSPORT APPS BA Cómo llego? (How do I get there?) is an online map and downloadable app that can help you find the best way to get from A to B in the city, whether on public transport, by car or on foot. Simply input your starting point, your destination and choose how you want to travel, and the map will suggest the best routes. Use the map on the website or download the app. Google Maps website or application is also a good option and works well within the city. UBER Uber is an option in Buenos Aires. It works through the app in the same way it works in other cities around the world. Do not be surprised if Uber drivers may ask you to sit in the front passenger seat. FROM THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Once you arrive at Ministro Pistarini International Airport, known as Ezeiza (EZE), we recommend the following transport options to get to your hotel: TAXI OR PRIVATE CAR (REMIS) We advise you to purchase your trip from the different taxi or remis company desks located at the Arrivals Lobby, paying either with credit card or cash. For your safety, do not accept transport services offered orally. Please go to the official stands at the airport. Travel time to the city, without any traffic and out of the rush hours, should be around 40 minutes and will cost around 50 USD. At night, the cab fare can raise by 20 percent. 14
GETTING TO THE CCK TAXI You can arrange taxi transportation from your hotel to Centro Cultural Kirchner (CCK) located at Sarmiento 151 or simply get a cab from the street. The ride should not cost you more than 250 ARS from any of our recommended hotels, except from Esplendor Plaza Francia. BUS The following bus lines take you to the W20 Summit: 4, 6, 7, 20, 22, 23, 26, 28, 29, 33, 50, 56, 61, 62, 64, 74, 91, 93, 99, 105, 109, 111, 126, 129, 130, 140, 143, 146, 152, 159, 180, 195 SUBTE The following subte lines take you to the W20 Summit: line A stops at Plaza de Mayo station; line B stops at Leandro N. Alem station; line C stops at Lavalle station; line D stops at Catedral station; and line E stops at Bolívar station. TRAIN The W20 Summit venue is 7 blocks away from Retiro, the central train station, where you can arrive with the San Martín or Mitre Ramal Tigre train line services. 16
INSURANCE LOCAL TIME W20 Summit participants, including delegations and panelists, assume entire responsibility and liability for losses, damages and claims arising from their participation in related activities and will indemnify, defend and hold harmless W20 Argentina and other event organizers. Argentina is in the ART time zone (UTC/GMT-3). Please make sure that you obtain appropriate travel and/or medical insurance prior to your arrival to Buenos Aires. CURRENCY & BANKING Argentina s currency is the peso abbreviated as ARS and it still operates with cash. Chain supermarkets and pharmacies will allow you to use a debit or credit card but you might be asked to present your passport to verify your identity. Many large restaurants will accept debit and credit cards and will have the logos of the cards accepted posted at their entrance. Some other locations, particularly in tourist areas, will accept US dollars and will give you change back in ARS pesos, but most probably the exchange rate will not be favorable to you. BANKS & ATMS Banks and ATMs are abundant around the city s main avenues and commercial areas, many of which have security guards during the day. There is a $5,000 ARS extraction limit per day with machines often only distributing up to $3,000 ARS or less. Large banking chains that operate in Argentina include BBVA Frances, Santander Rio, HSBC and ICBC. CURRENCY EXCHANGE It is recommended to obtain pesos before traveling to Argentina. When arriving, at the airport, there will be some exchange bureaus were you could exchange. Within Microcentro, in Buenos Aires downtown, there are some special locations to exchange currency, locally called Casas de Cambio, which are more convenient than exchanging at the banks which often have long lines. In tourist areas, especially in Florida Street, there are people who will offer currency exchange to foreigners, but it is not recommended nor reliable to do so. 18
First born in the 1500s under the reign of Spanish conquerors, Buenos Aires has grown into one of the world s largest cities with close to three million inhabitants. Buenos Aires is a unique blend of Latin American and European culture full of art, theater, cuisine, and political movements. Argentina experienced one of the world's largest waves of immigration, second only to the U.S, in the 19th and 20th centuries. Many immigrants were from Spain and Italy which had a profound influence on the Argentine Spanish dialect. Many migrants also came from across Central and Eastern Europe; in fact, Argentina has one of the largest Jewish and Armenian populations in the Americas. More recently, people from Asia and neighbouring South American countries are also calling Argentina home. Unlike some other South American countries, Argentina has a smaller and less influential indigenous population with approximately 2.5% of the population identifying themselves as indigenous. Buenos Aires's immigrant history is notable in its architecture which earned it the nickname of "the Paris of South America." You may find yourself thinking you're in France, Italy, Spain, or New York City depending on the neighborhood you are visiting. Before the first World War, the country experienced tremendous growth and wealth and Buenos Aires aimed to emulate Europe with tree-lined avenues, grand architecture, and opera houses like the famous Teatro Colón. Buenos Aires opened the first subway system in Latin America in 1913 and in 1914 it was home to the only Harrods outside of London. Argentines are passionate about politics. Most people you meet will likely have an opinion to share. While walking around the city, you will come across political graffiti and sometimes a march or demonstration. During your stay in Buenos Aires, take in the culture derived from its rich history. Admire the architecture and explore its distinct neighborhoods. Enjoy the numerous museums and cultural centers with classic and contemporary art and cultural classes. Get to know tango, Argentina's famous dance, with professional milongas or one of the many tango lessons to be found around the city. Check out events where you can hear cumbia or see folkloric dances like chacarera or zamba. You can also check out football or polo games. Argentina has so much more to offer than world renowned Buenos Aires. From the great Iguazu waterfalls on the north of the country to Mendoza's wine valleys, Bariloche's lakes and mountains on the west to Patagonia or glaciers of Ushuaia in the south, there is so much waiting for you that we hope you get to explore. 21