I think I'll be in Buenos Aires Argentina for a month on business - does anybody have any sage advice or info on things I should do in my free time?

 

I understand Argentina (and Chile, for that matter) have some pretty awesome snow skiing. You would probably have to fly a couple of hours from Buenos Aires to get to the resorts, though. This is the right season there for skiing.

 

BA is supposed to be the Paris of South America.

Check out the reviews of local attractions on www.tripadvisor.com

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g3127...l_District.html

 

I was there many, many years ago. It's a beautiful city with amazing food...and VERY hot women.

In other words: you're going to have a blast.

 

I was there three years ago...

Sadly, it WAS once the Paris of the Southern Hemisphere... but with their economic collapse, the city has fallen into disrepair. Back in the 50s or so (when so many wealthy people emigrated there from Europe after WWII), I'm sure it was a magnificent city. But looking at it today, you can see that it has had half-a-century of decay, with little in upkeep or repair.

The La Plata River, which runs next to the city, is one of the most polluted bodies of water in the world and it shows (and smells). Nobody fishes in that river. Nobody swims in the river.

I thought with the collapse of the Argentinian peso to 1/3rd its value, I should be able to get some great deals... but that wasn't so. The prices just went up 3x... which kept them the same for anybody coming in with foreign currency, but just made items 3x more expensive for the local people. It was sad, really.

Also, I ate at only the most highly recommended restaurants... and the Argentinian beef was pretty tasty, but surprisingly sinewy. I'm the kind of person who likes to eat a fresh salad with my dinners... and I wasn't able to find that anywhere. All the vegetables were served boiled and mushy. That really bummed me out. I went the whole time I was there desperately trying to find a restaurant-- price no object-- that would satisfy me. Never happened.

At first, when I went into small restaurants or bakeries, something was different... and I couldn't put my finger on it. Then I realized, ALL the food-- the sweets, the pies, the sticky anythings-- sat out, uncovered. THERE ARE NO FLIES IN BUENOS AIRES. It's the weirdest thing. Nothing flies and lands on your food! You can eat outside totally unmolested by flying insects!! I'm not sure why this is-- maybe the birds in the nearby forests are very efficient at eating flying insects?? Either way, that was trippy and cool.

Be steet smart at night. Think of NYC after-dark, some neighborhoods are better than others.

A warning-- it is best to avoid the strip clubs, particularly the ones that are in basements or upstairs. IF you go in a strip club and it is not full of customers or there are no girls dancing... "but will soon" according to the host-- LEAVE. You will get ripped off, and may even get mugged as you exit. (Those of you who have been to the Pigalle district of Paris might know what I'm talking about. Same deal here.)

I was able to travel there on a package deal that was pretty cheap, but not as good a deal as I thought once I got there. I took some tours, and really, I was mostly sad at what state this city was in, and the state of its once proud (well, more proud) people. I hate to turn you off, but I'm being honest. If I could fly back there for free and stay for free... I'd leave and go to nearby Uruguay or Brazil. Or get out in the country... anywhere away from that sad, sad city.

Lastly, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR and DO NOT FLY ON UNITED AIRLINES. I cannot reiterate this enough. I may even start a separate thread on the subject. Seriously.

p.s.-- Bigpurp is right about the women. VERY attractive. Learn the local language though if you wish to meet them because being a foreigner is NOT a benefit (from what I've heard). That said, I didn't exactly try to meet any women when I was there because at the time I was seeing a wonderful girl back in the US.

 

Don't know if you've been to Rio but if you have the time I highly recommend you go there. Beautiful place.

 

I live in Buenos Aires between 1985 to 1993. I have not being back since. I have heard from close friends, after I departed 1993 the economy of the country went downwards.
As of what I can remember, the beef is the best there is in the world.
You have to try the empanada.
A cup of expresso.
All the fresh salad were with vinegar, salt and sugar.
Downtown is extremely beautiful it will remind you of Europe.

But I do not know what is the condition of the country now. But either way, Have fun!!

 

Thanks for the info - I've heard about United - I'm flying Delta.

Not a big empanada fan but I can try them there.

My Spanish is basic, so hopefully I know enough to get into or out of trouble!

I hope I have some free time to get around the city - being the curious explorer type, I'm wondering how safe it is to wander and take pictures - my camera would be the only fancy thing on me, but I don't know much about the local crime habits other than ATM robbers and the usual police scams. Are there any places I definitely want to avoid, or will I just have to be on the look out for bad areas?

 

I'm planning a trip down there in October. I've been reading a lot on the internet and getting a lot of good information. One thing that I can pass on from my research is to use only radio-dispatched taxi cabs, and even then make sure it is one you have had requested for you, not one you grab on the street yourself.

Please post back with any tips you pick up on your trip, and have a great time!

 

just came back from rio 2 weeks ago. never been to argentina, was in chile however.

also, i flew united. didnt find a problem with them. however that was sydney to rio via the usa.
do not fly aerolineas tho, they suck