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Buenos Aires (Argentina)

Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news

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Buenos Aires cruise port

Region
South America

Local Time
2026-09-15 03:28

min: 47 °F (8 °C) / max: 64 °F (18 °C) 50°F
10.2°C
Wind: 315°/ 3.7 m/s Gust: 8.7 m/sWind: 315°/ 3.7 m/s Gust: 8.7 m/sGentle breeze
3.7 m/s
Min / Max Temperature64 °F / 18 °C
47 °F / 9 °C
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Port Buenos Aires cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Buenos Aires, Argentina. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

DayShipArrivalDeparture
23 January, 2026
Friday
Holland America Cruises cruise linems Volendam08:0018:00

Buenos Aires is Argentine's largest cruise port, as well as the country's principal (main) cargo port and capital city, with urban population around 2,9 million and metro population around 15,6 million. Buenos Aires is a cosmopolitan city, often called the “Paris of South America”. The metro covers a total area approx 203 km2 (78 mi2). The cruise port is located in the Retiro (Ascensores Heaven Ward), at just ~1 km from downtown.

Cruises to Antarctica are operated mainly with smaller-sized expedition ships and ice-class superyachts. While these voyages depart from Ushuaia, most of the Antarctic cruise package deals are inclusive of international flights (to and from Buenos Aires) and domestic flights - between the capital and Ushuaia (departure port). This also explains the higher prices on these seasonally offered cruise tours.

Port Buenos Aires is the principal maritime port of Argentina and operated by the state-owned Administracion General de Puertos. The port is the country's leading transshipment point for foreign trade. Cruise ship passenger traffic peaked during immigration's golden era in Argentina (until 1930) when it was the site of Hotel de Inmigrantes. During later decades, this was limited to tourist visitors to Argentina and Argentine visitors to Uruguay.

Passenger ferries (fast-ferry services by Ferrylineas and Buquebus) operate the short Argentina-Uruguay routes linking Buenos Aires with Montevideo and Colonia del Sacramento. Sturla transports tourists to/from Tigre (a popular weekend travel destination). In 2010, Benito Quinquela Martin Terminal (2000-inaugurated) served a total of 120 cruise ship calls with 100,000+ tourists.

Buenos Aires cruise port's schedule lists major companies like RCI-Royal Caribbean, MSC, CCL-Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Silversea. The cruising season runs between October and early-April. Buenos Aires is among the ports on itineraries that include cruising through the Patagonian channels and Chilean fjords in the Tierra del Fuego provinces of Chile and Argentina.

For season 2019-2021, the cruise port handled 118 ship calls (out of 132 booked/originally scheduled), as 14 visits were canceled due to the Coronavirus crisis.

 

Port's containership terminal is managed (operated under concession) by APM Terminals Buenos Aires. The company is a fully-owned subsidiary of APM Terminals (The Hague Holland-based container terminal operator, ranked one of the world's largest).

Buenos Aires cruise terminal

Buenos Aires cruise port terminal (Terminal de Pasajeros Benito Quinquela Martin) was inaugurated in 2000 and named after the painter Benito Martín (1890-1977).

The cruise terminal is ~0,5 mi (1 km) from downtown. The ships cruise up Rio de la Plata (deepwater river) and dock right into the city's heart.

Aeropuerto Ministro Pistarni (aka Ezeiza, international airport serving Buenos Aires) is 22 mi / 35 km south from the cruise port terminal. Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (international airport that serves Palermo) is 5 mi / 8 km north from the port. Regular bus services are provided to both airports.

Outside the cruise port there is a taxi rank. Taxi prices are reasonable, with payments in both Pesos or USD. Free shuttle buses from the cruise port to downtown shopping centres are also available.

Independent with some planning or transport. Buenos Aires is practical to explore independently once you have transferred out of the cruise port. For a first visit, choose the historic center and San Telmo, or combine Recoleta with a shorter waterfront walk. Trying to cover every major neighborhood can consume much of the call in traffic.

Getting from the Cruise Port

Cruise ships normally dock in Puerto Nuevo, using the Benito Quinquela Martín passenger terminal. Follow the ship’s instructions for any transport between the berth and terminal; the dock itself is not the starting point for a city walk.

A taxi or prearranged transfer from the passenger exit is the simplest way to begin sightseeing. Walking through the surrounding port and road approaches is not recommended. Confirm your ship’s terminal and return entrance rather than relying on a generic map pin for “Buenos Aires port.”

Useful drop-off points include Plaza de Mayo for the historic center, Plaza San Martín for Florida Street, and Recoleta Cemetery for the Recoleta neighborhood. Shuttle availability and drop-off locations vary, so check arrangements aboard before making plans. Public transport is more useful within the city than for the initial port transfer.

Best Ways to Spend Your Time

Historic Center and San Telmo

Allow 3–4 hours ashore, plus port transfers, for Plaza de Mayo, the cathedral, the Casa Rosada exterior and a walk south into San Telmo. Browse the indoor market, stop for empanadas or lunch, and continue to Plaza Dorrego. This is a straightforward independent outing, although cobblestones and uneven paving make parts of San Telmo less comfortable for wheelchairs or visitors with limited mobility.

On Sundays, the antiques and crafts fair fills Plaza Dorrego and stretches along Defensa Street. Allow extra time for crowds and arrange pickup on a surrounding street accessible to vehicles.

Recoleta Cemetery and Nearby Squares

Take a taxi directly to Recoleta Cemetery and allow 2–3 hours in the neighborhood. The cemetery’s mausoleums and Eva Perón’s burial place are the main sights; the adjacent Basilica del Pilar and nearby cafés make an easy combination. Check current admission arrangements before visiting. Keep the outing compact if you prefer less walking.

Puerto Madero Waterfront

Allow 1–2 hours for a mostly flat stroll beside the former dock basins, restored warehouses and Puente de la Mujer. This works well as a quieter alternative to busy shopping streets or as an extension from Plaza de Mayo. Broad roads separate the historic center from the waterfront, so use pedestrian crossings and allow time at signals.

Caminito in La Boca

Visit the colorful buildings, artists’ stalls and cafés around Caminito during daylight. Allow about 1–1.5 hours there, plus taxi transfers. Travel directly to and from the visitor area and stay on the busy tourist streets; this is not a suitable neighborhood for an improvised walk from the center or port. A guided city tour is convenient if you want to combine La Boca with several other districts.

Self-Guided Walking Tour

Plaza de Mayo to Plaza Dorrego

Start: Taxi or confirmed shuttle drop-off at Plaza de Mayo. Distance: Approximately 2 km (1.2 mi), including short sightseeing detours. Walking time: 30–40 minutes. Total time: 2–3 hours with visits and a café stop. Difficulty: Easy to moderate, with mostly level streets, crossings and uneven cobblestones toward San Telmo.

  1. Metropolitan Cathedral: Visit if open and services permit.
  2. Plaza de Mayo: Walk around the square and view the Cabildo exterior.
  3. Casa Rosada: See the presidential building from the square; do not assume an interior visit is available.
  4. Defensa Street: Head south toward San Telmo.
  5. Defensa and Chile: Pause at the Mafalda statue before continuing south.
  6. San Telmo Market: Browse the indoor stalls or stop for food.
  7. Plaza Dorrego: Finish among the cafés and antiques shops.

Return to the cruise terminal by taxi from a vehicle-accessible street near the square. On Sundays, leave time to walk beyond the fair’s road closures to meet your driver.

Practical Tips

  • Choose one main walking area and, if time permits, one additional neighborhood reached by taxi.
  • Keep phones and valuables secure in markets, crowded streets and transport areas.
  • Agree on taxi payment arrangements before departure and keep the terminal name available for the return journey.
  • Plan to reach the passenger terminal at least an hour before all-aboard, with additional margin for traffic, demonstrations and any internal port transfer.
  • Most dinner tango shows suit an overnight stay rather than a daytime call. Confirm the full duration and return transport before booking.

Buenos Aires hotels