What to enjoy about this city and country?
About its weather:
During the
wintertime our recommendation is to dress like an "onion" because when you go
out early it is quite chilly, then it turns hotter at lunchtime and turns
cooler in the evening. So as you see it’s a good idea to put on layers, since you can
always take off some layers if the weather changes.
In summer
always take a bottle of water since both the days and nights are very hot and
humid!
About the economy:
Unfortunately
we have a lot of inflation, that’s why the prices keep rising.
About safety:
As in every
big city, pay attention to your personal belongings, especially big cameras and
wallets. Stay near tourist areas and don’t explore out of the way or dark areas.
How to know if a note is fake?
For AR$ 100
and AR$ 50, it’s easy to spot a fake note: Before you hold a bill up to have
the light show through it, you’ll see a vertical line of silver-like dashes. On
the bad fakes, the dashes are clearly painted on. Notice how when you hold the
bill up to the light, the dashed line turns to a solid black line and it has
writing on it (BCRA).
Precaution: When you exchange
money, check each note. Checking bills is totally normal here. People will
not be offended.
About transportation:
In Buenos Aires
If
you want to travel by TAXI, these are some points that you should bear in mind:
a) The fares expressed in the taximeters are in pesos. Always try to pay
the driver with a small bill. Never use a AR$ 100. Most taxi drivers don’t have
the appropriate amount of change.
b) There are
two different fares depending on the time of the day in which you hail the
taxi:
Between 6 am
and 10 pm, the moment you get into the taxi you will be charged AR$ 11. For each
minute that the vehicle is idle and for each 1/8 mile you will be charged AR$ 1.10.
Between 10
pm and 6 am, as soon as you start your journey you are charged AR$ 13.20. For each
minute that the vehicle is idle and for each 1/8 mile you will be charged AR$ 1.32.
c) It's a
good idea to ask the hotel receptionists to get you a taxi. All the travel
guides to Buenos Aires
If you want to travel by BUS ("colectivos"):
a) There are
lots of different lines! Before you get on a bus, make sure that you have
already found out if it's going to take you to your destination.
b) Coins are
used to pay the fare and you can't pay using bills once you’re on the bus. If
you travel within the city of Buenos
Aires
c) Bear in
mind that you can only pay single-ride fares.
d) Bus
drivers don't mention the different areas that the bus is going through, so do
make sure that you know where you are getting off!
e) In
general each line has a stop every two blocks.
a) You can
check the schedule and the map of the network, visiting www.subte.com.ar
b) Each ride
costs AR$ 3.50 and you can pay the fare at the subway station. You can pay using
both notes and coins.
Here you will find how to reach any place by bus or subway system: http://mapa.buenosaires.gob.ar
First click the second flap on the left that says "¿Cómo llego?" ("How do I get there?"), write the departure address on "Desde" ("From") and the arrival address on "Hasta" ("To"). Once you’ve finished, see the map.
Most important newspapers:
www.lanacion.com.ar
www.clarin.com
*Free things to do in BA!*
* First visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, which is considered to be the city's most important church. Take note of the black candlelight symbol on the outside of the building. This represents the remains of Argentina's liberator, José de San Martín, as the church houses his mausoleum. Address: San Martin 27 – Plaza de Mayo. www.catedralbuenosaires.org.ar
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* BA's Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts) is always free, and its permanent collection features works by masters such as Degas, Gauguin, Klee, Kandinsky, and Van Gogh as well as Argentinean and South American artists. Museum opening times:
Tuesdays to Fridays 12.30 - 8.30 p.m./ Saturdays and Sundays 9.30 a.m. - 8.30 p.m. / Mondays closed. Address: Avenida del Libertador 1473. www.mnba.org.ar
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*Free things to do in BA!*
* First visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, which is considered to be the city's most important church. Take note of the black candlelight symbol on the outside of the building. This represents the remains of Argentina's liberator, José de San Martín, as the church houses his mausoleum. Address: San Martin 27 – Plaza de Mayo. www.catedralbuenosaires.org.ar
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* BA's Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts) is always free, and its permanent collection features works by masters such as Degas, Gauguin, Klee, Kandinsky, and Van Gogh as well as Argentinean and South American artists. Museum opening times:
Tuesdays to Fridays 12.30 - 8.30 p.m./ Saturdays and Sundays 9.30 a.m. - 8.30 p.m. / Mondays closed. Address: Avenida del Libertador 1473. www.mnba.org.ar
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* On Sundays, be sure to stop by the colonial-era neighborhood of San Telmo for the antique and handicraft fair of Feria de Plaza Dorrego. The fair attracts 10,000 visitors and features 270 vendor stalls selling books, tango paraphernalia, and much more. Enjoy the festival-like atmosphere provided by mimes, buskers, and tango performers. Address: Defensa and Humberto Primo - Plaza Dorrego. www.feriadesantelmo.com
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* In the Botanical Garden, free tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 10.30 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. There is also a self-guided tour in English that you can get at reception. Address: Avenida Santa Fe 3951 – Plaza Italia. www.jardinbotanico.buenosaires.gob.ar
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* There is also the Nature Reserve in Costanera Sur, which is perfect for bird watching, hiking, exploring hidden beaches or riding a bike. Address: Avenida Tristán Achával Rodríguez 1550. www.buenosaires.gov.ar/areas/med_ambiente/reserva/
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* There is also the Nature Reserve in Costanera Sur, which is perfect for bird watching, hiking, exploring hidden beaches or riding a bike. Address: Avenida Tristán Achával Rodríguez 1550. www.buenosaires.gov.ar/areas/med_ambiente/reserva/
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* The National Congress Building, which offers free-guided tours in English on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. You need to show up one hour before the tour begins to enroll. The building was opened in 1906, and contains many furnishings and pieces of decor from Europe. Address: Hipólito Yrigoyen 1849. www.senado.gov.ar/web/museo/visitaguiada.php
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* Then head over to the Casa Rosada, or Pink House, which is the building where President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner works. There is a museum inside, and free tours are offered Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Address: Balcarce 50. www.presidencia.gob.ar/visitas-guiadas
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* Then head over to the Casa Rosada, or Pink House, which is the building where President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner works. There is a museum inside, and free tours are offered Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Address: Balcarce 50. www.presidencia.gob.ar/visitas-guiadas
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* If you want to dance tango or see people dancing, the popular “La Glorieta” offers free entrance to their open-air milonga on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7.00 to 10.00 p.m. Even when milongas are not free, they are usually very inexpensive and you can see some of the city's most talented dancers. www.visittangobuenosaires.com/La_Glorieta-en.htm
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* Located on Avenida del Libertador in Palermo, you will find the historical Palermo Argentinean Racetrack. Argentineans love thoroughbred horses so visiting the site is also a cultural experience. Opened in 1876, the racetrack has held competitions for the most elite thoroughbred horses. The venue is grand in design and massive in size, accommodating up to 100,000 guests. While placing bets will obviously cost you, it is free to enter and enjoy the races. Address: Avenida del Libertador 4300 and Dorrego. www.aapolo.com
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* Located on Avenida del Libertador in Palermo, you will find the historical Palermo Argentinean Racetrack. Argentineans love thoroughbred horses so visiting the site is also a cultural experience. Opened in 1876, the racetrack has held competitions for the most elite thoroughbred horses. The venue is grand in design and massive in size, accommodating up to 100,000 guests. While placing bets will obviously cost you, it is free to enter and enjoy the races. Address: Avenida del Libertador 4300 and Dorrego. www.aapolo.com