Some aspects similar to those in large cities in Western countries

• The same legal rules apply to sex and love relationships among same sex persons as to heterosexual relationships.
• Although not banned by law, public display of affection (kisses, caresses, hugs, walking hand-in-hand) are not frequent and are frowned upon. Occasionally there may be social censure and verbal aggressions which may be reported as violence and or discrimination.
• You may make contact with other men in public places (streets, parks, squares, shops). Also, there are usual meeting places, busy and bustling with people.
• You can find dance clubs, bars, pubs and restaurants dedicated to exclusively gay or mixed crowds (gay-straight).
• There also are exclusively gay bathhouses (called saunas), basically for sexual adventurers.
• Porno movie theatres, where sex occur in semi-public areas, can also be found.
• At dusk, sexual intercourse may take place in semi-public areas in open air parks.
• By-The- Hour hotels (albergues transitorios) for sex are under the obligation of accepting same sex couples.

Some aspects different from those in large cities in Western countries

• Gay people live in any part of the city (there are no predominantly gay quarters or neighbourhoods), although they are found in larger concentrations in certain areas (Barrio Norte, Palermo, San Telmo).
• Cruising and entertainment areas are spread throughout a wide area including the historical, political and business centre and nearby areas.
• Night shows begin quite late (after 1 a.m.) everyday.
• Although there are red light zones for transvestites who engage in prostitution, there is no such zone for gay sex market, although there is a greater concentration around some gay dance clubs and pubs in Barrio Norte (northern quarter).
• Sex in public restrooms is rare, but approaches are common and the intercourse happens at an albergue transitorio (sex hotel) . There are no glory-holes.

Some differences with tourist areas in third-world countries

• There is no circulation of poor or marginal youths offering themselves as escorts or for sex for a meal, small presents or little money.
• There are no cheap brothels offering teenage males for sex.
• The few clandestine male brothels offer men who are tall, muscular, gym-bodied, white skinned, dark-haired or blond over 20 years old. Prices are expensive.

Some codes

• Men informally greet acquaintances with a kiss on the cheek. It applies both to gay and straight men. Even policemen have been seen greeting in this way. There is no street dress code which may distinguish gay from straight men. Both may dress in suits or Bermudas and sandals.
• During the summer it is common to wear as little as possible, even no shirts o barely covered torsos, skintight t-shirts and shorts showing muscles and emphasizing the bulge and butts. This applies to all social sectors and to straight men.
• The main difference between gay and straight men is the look. In general, straight men are reticent to look back when looked at. When stared, even if they are sporting a flamboyant attitude and dressed to show off, they will usually look back in anger, although verbal or physical violence does not occur. Many gay men dare give a good look at other men they suspect to be also gay, turn around and a meeting may occur. Some gay men, shier, scared or prone to guilt, adopt the same attitude straight men have and do not look back at other men or do so only in restricted areas (dance clubs, pubs, bathhouses and gay areas after dusk).
• In gay and gay-friendly places, young men attend show off and be seen, but when directly approached, they answer with indifference or annoyance; they reject almost everybody. They are not after sex for money.

What you may find is:

• Escorts and top-level models who visit Five-star hotels or provide service at private flats, by appointment through a telephone service or agency and although their rates are not higher than in other Western capitals, they are by no means inexpensive.
• Callboys and men who advertise in large newspapers (for example, section 59 of "Clarín" daily) and gay magazines, who offer their home service and occasionally in their own flats.
• Street hustlers (called taxi-boys, because they can be found on the street) who promenade the gay areas, calling themselves straight men and usually acting as tops, but will bottom.
• Marginal hustlers (they act as street hustlers) which can be found near the large train stations and bus depots; their rates are lower and are likely to be occasional petty thieves.

Where to have sex
(Greater safety - Lower risk)

• Even if sex is not paid, the safer option that the native gay population adopts is an albergue transitorio (sex hotel). This option is used even if you have a flat, whenever you have met a man at a entertainment place or on the street.
• Albergues transitorios are generally clean, all rooms have private bathrooms and additional amenities according to the rate or category of the sex hotel (jacuzzi, water-beds, room service, porno movies on the TV, etc.).
• The occasional sex in bathhouses, movie theaters and cruising clubs happens in the same premises.