What is the best area of Buenos Aires to stay and with a two week limit what are the best areas to travel to?

Question

Next fall I am planning a two week trip with my wife to the country. I realize the place is big, so while wanted to see a variety of places I don't want to spend too much time driving or busing around.

Answer 1

Well, Karhu2003, told you a lot of thing. I think she's right.

If you're planing to stay in Buenos Aires city, the best area is Recoleta. Is one of the most expensives, but not for turist. There you have a lot of theatres and cinemas, malls, etc. Go to Florida st. and Lavalle st. (those are streets for walk -no cars-). Also, you can visit the rest of the country. It's too big as you said, so you should choise what do you want to meet.

You have the NortWest (Salta-Jujuy), the West (Mendoza, San Luis, La Rioja), the NortEast (Misiones), the Center (province of Buenos Aires, La Pampa -there you'll find REAL gauchos, Entre Ríos, Córdoba), and the South (all Patagonia - Neuquén, Río *****, Chubut, Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego).

You should find out if there's some trips that make you visit much places in a short time. I think that with that kind of trip you'll visit all touristic places in Argentina in a month. Of course, you have less time, so you'll have to chose. You can see in internet the places that I mentioned, those are the most touristic province in the country. You can see pictuores of them in any page and then you'll realise of what you prefer to meet.

Good luck! I hope you enjoy my country! If you want to know something more specific, you can write me, I still live near Buenos Aires city.

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Answer 2

You want to stay in BsAs by the water - those are the more picturesque areas, which are local to most tourist sites and also close to the main modes of transportation to other areas of interest.

Places to visit/stay:

* Recoleta

* Palermo

* Belgrano

* Puerto Madero

* Following main drags (streets):

- Corrientes

- Rivadavia

- Belgrano

- Florida (floor-eeda)

- 9 de Julio (billed as the widest street in the world)

Transportation is mainly by subway or "subte" - which, once they reach the outskirts of downtown, shoot up above ground, and continue as such.

Downtown is also the main above ground train station, where you can catch a train, up the coast, to a place called "El Tigre" - it's where the Rio Plata delta is.  The delta is so huge, that people have made homes on the land that stayed above water and little water taxi's take citizens and tourists all about.  It looks like a cross between the Caribbean and the South. It is a beautiful day trip.

Also, another popular destination is Mar del Plata. It's a seaside city, the most popular in Arg.  A two day weekend is plenty of time to check out and enjoy this European style beach city.  Instead of renting a car or flying, book a bus out of the central bus depot in BsAs, which are like airplanes on wheels -but much cheaper - a round trip to Mar del Plata will cost about $60/person... about 5-hours each way. They are giant motorcoaches, with a small meal and two drivers - so they do not stop, they just drive 'till they get there - the buses have restrooms.

Another side trip would be Bariloche in the Patagonia.  This requires a Domestic airflight - you can purchase in Argentina - Falcon Air is great and cheap. About $130/person - roundtrip.  Bariloche is good for about 3 days if you do the day trips. Completely worth the time and energy... Bariloche is known at the Switzerland of the Americas... and the land around it looks like Montana in the 40s.

Otherwise, check these links for the attractions in BsAs alone.

lists the most important tourist spots - meaning, if you didn't visit these while you were there, people will laugh at you - http://www.geographia.com/argentina/buen...

http://www.allaboutar.com/ba_sights_boca...

For Patagonia - Bariloche -  http://www.allaboutar.com/patagonia.htm

exceptional site about the culture and living in Argentina:

http://www.livinginargentina.com/vivir.a...

Maps - you can get these same ones off street vendors in Argentina - but they are great to have prior to arriving or for planning your trip - like when you are booking hotels - you will have a great reference point... http://www.maps2anywhere.com/Maps/Argent...

All sorts of General Infor, including weather and other good stuff:

http://gosouthamerica.about.com/od/balod...

Answer 3

To stay and visit in Buenos Aires:

1- Recoleta

2- Down-town

To visit:

3- Palermo

4- Bario Norte

5- Puerto Madero

6- Delta

7- One day "Estancia" tour

8- One day or two "Colonia del Sacramento" (Uruguay) tour

Depending on weather places "must see":

Beaches:

Mar del Plata or Pinamar 300-400kilometers South

Calafate - Perito Moreno Glacier

Usuahia - south-most city of the World

Salta - North West - Tren de las Nubes Clouds Train

Mendoza - West - Aconcagua Mountain and wine, plenty of it and the best

North East - Iguazzu Falls - border with Brasil and Paraguay (remember that if American need a visa to visit Brasil)

please see:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g...

Big country not much driving, some busing may-be if not planes all over.

Enjoy!!!

Answer 4

I know this isn't exactly what you are looking for - but I have heard the best thing about Argentina is the beef - it is cheap and good - so I say go to steak restaurants.

Answer 5

Please see:

http://www.buenosairesstay.com/bastay/ge... for the best and safest barrio desciptions:

Centro may be best for you:

El Centro or the downtown neighbourhood is situated in the centre of Buenos Aires and is concentrated around El Obelisco. The Obelisk was dedicated in 1936 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Rio del la Plata. Centro or downtown is a busy business and financial centre with shops, restaurants, cinemas, government buildings, parks, squares, and many of Buenos Aires most important monuments.

Although busy, Centro’s residential streets still provide very comfortable apartment blocks that are well managed and peaceful places to live.  If you want to be in the tourist hub or you are in Buenos Aires for business, then this is the barrio for you.

Two of the biggest avenues in the world can be found in this historic centre, 9 de Julio Avenue, which is one of the widest and Rivadavia Avenue, which is one of longest.

Much of Buenos Aires and Argentina’s history is linked to this district, such as Plaza de Mayo, which has witnessed some of Argentina’s greatest historical events. It was first laid out as a fortress in 1580 when the Spanish returned to settle Rio de la Plata and then during the colonial period it served as a public market, its great civic relevance is conferred the important public buildings such as the Cabildo. Later it was called Plaza del la Victoria after the city repelled the British expeditionary forces in 1807. It took its current name when the Argentina found independence from Spain on 25 May 1810.

Stroll down Avenida de Mayo, one of its most important avenues that maintained its style throughout Argentina’s golden era. It was built to both link and view Casa Rosada and Congress Square.

Florida is the main ‘pedestrianised’ shopping street.  Along its 10 blocks you will find some of the best leather outlets, bookstores, bars, fast-food outlets, restaurants, cafeterias.

Click here to read about Belgrano, Palermo, Puerto Madero, Recoleta and San Telmo.

Downtown Buenos Aires’ main attractions include:

• San Martín Square: Designed by the architect Carlos Thays, it has a great historical importance and it is the battlefield on which Buenos Aires residents defended themselves against the English invasion of 1807.  You can find more information about this area on our website entitled 'Plaza San Martin.'

• Corrientes Avenue: This Avenue has the most important theatres and is where today’s hit musicals are bill boarded.

• “El Obelisco”, with its 67.5 meters of height is considered to be a key symbol of Buenos Aires. It was built in 1936. Inside of it there are 200 steps that lead to the small window. It is situated on the corner of 9 de Julio and Corrientes avenues.

• Colon Opera House and Theatre: This theatre displays a French style, designed by the architect Julio Dormal, who finished in 1907. It has a capacity for 2400 guests, who are blown away by its world ranking acoustics. Its dome has a Parisian stained glass window through which lights cast great colour. It has its own museum that holds some of South America’s greatest examples of indigenous ancient musical instruments, as well as workshops. It is located on the block formed by Cerrito, Viamonte, Libertad and Tucumán Streets.

• Café Tortoni: One of the oldest and best preserves cafes in Buenos Aires. It was founded in 1858 and frequently visited by famous characters such as Carlos Gardel and Benito Quinquela Martín among others. Nowadays, jazz and tango shows are a favourite. It is situated at 826 Avenida de Mayo.

• Casa Rosada: The seat of the national government since the First Council. The pink palace owes its colour to Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, who painted it with pink to symbolize the reunification of the country after the civil war between Federals whose battle colour was red, and Unitarians, whose battle colour was white. It is located at 50 Balcarce Street.

• Cabildo: This building was the starting place of the May Revolution. Its work was stopped in1821 when the Law of Suppression of Cabildos was dictated. Today it works as the National History Museum of Buenos Aires.

• Galerias Pacífico shopping centre: Right on Florida Street, this shopping mall is one of the best and most expensive in Buenos Aires. You can find imported brands, as well as restaurants and cafeterias. It is located on the corner of Florida Street and Córdoba Avenue.

My favourite!

Palermo Viejo or old Palermo is home to the trendsetting bars and clubs, great eating and the best shopping in Buenos Aires. I love this part of BAires, it is where I tend to spend far too many evenings and know far too many bartenders and shop girls on first name terms.

I intend to write about my favourite shops and bars later this year. So book mark this page. This part of Palermo is dissected in two by a railway track and multiple crossings that create Palermo Hollywood to the north and Palermo Soho to the south.

The north is a great residential neighbourhood and famed for TV and radio production. There are lots of very quiet residential streets and is chosen by many of our more mature clients who prefer quality dwellings, peace and quiet.

We have tons of great apartments and houses in these two areas and no matter what sort of BAStay you intend, this has got to be top of your where to stay list. It is expensive, but still great value. We have a constant battle with landlords over price, but supply and demand have made this one of the more expensive areas. Holidays come but once a year for most of us - this is well worth the extra Pesos.

Palermo Soho is part of old Palermo and is a fantastic neighbourhood of smashing low rise buildings that extend from the leafy cobble stoned Plaza Serrano, also known as Plaza Cortázar. These expensively renovated buildings are home to some of the trendiest bars, international restaurants, art galleries, design studios and the trendy young crowds who frequent them. This neighbourhood is alive with Buenos Aires’ most vibrant nightlife with some of the best pubs, clubs and g*y bar. Palermo and Buenos Aires in general has embraced the pink Pesos and is a g*y friendly destination.

Palermo Soho catches Buenos Aires’ great sense of style in the many boutiques that make this a shopper paradise. I often shop in Soho and stop for lunch at the many good eateries. I am always amazed by the quality and first-world designs offered by young BAires designers. If you have eaten your fill of barbecued meats, then you are defiantly in the right area for great food. Please book mark this page as I will review some of my favourites later in the year. I better described wider Palermo on my website.

Have a fantastic BAStay!

Andrew Rae McCance

www.bastay.com

Answer 6

Recoleta, is maybe best place to stay like tourist, because the area is nice, near the parks, and close to malls, museos, and best night places. From there you can visit easily the rest of the city, like the old San Telmo, especially in Sundays morning, the fly market, go to Puerto Madero and enjoy the Costanera Sur, making maybe a walk in the wild area near the river. Palermo is now a very faschion area!!The center of the city is nice, full of hotels ans restaurants too, but in the evening is a litle empty, like all bussines centers in the world. Take a ninght of tango, many places are good, especially in San Telmo area. Out of the city you can visit El Delta del Parana, a nice place in the river, full of islands, and very green. Take a full day in one Estancia, to see the gauchos life...... Distance in Argentina are long, but you must visit Cataratas del Iguazu, the falls in betwen Brasil and Paraguay, 2 days is ok. and of course patagonia, like usuahia, but if is to much, even 3 days in Puerto Madryn could be nice, or in Bariloche, in the andeans side.  Argentina is a big country full of differents posibilities, sea, mountains, jungle, deserts, its not so easy to choose.  Of course, eat a good Asado and empanadas, whith a glass of Malbec!  Buen Viaje!!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

I have been to Buenos Aires 6 times and I found that Recoleta is the best area, especially for tourists. There is an excellent 5 star hotel (and not that expensive) called Lois Suites Recoleta. Recoleta is a nice place with lots of restaurants and cinemas and you can walk at night with no problem. If you want to stay near downtown (but in a safe place) I recommend the Sheraton, Lois Suites Arenales or Marriot Plaza. You can go and visit Teatro Colon, Casa Rosada, etc but I recommend you do all these things in a paid tour. Taxis are quite reliable too. There is a wonderful tour to a nice Hacienda called Santa Susana where you see gauchos in action, eat parrilladas (barbeque) and taste the argentinian flavour. You can book the Santa Susana tour in any big hotel.

Answer 8

I think you have a lot of time to travel in Buenos Aires. You should see the sea in the coast maybe San Bernardo o Mar del Plata are very beutiful. Also you can go to Tandil, Zarate, Paraná de las Palmas, etc. If you want to look hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, clothes, shoes, entertainment places and more of Buenos Aires and Argentina you can see in http://www.e-ventos.info and you will find all you need.