Buenos Aires, Argentina Itinerary May 2024

 Buenos Aires, Argentina Itinerary May 2024

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

ITINERARY: FOR HI RESOLUTION ITINERARY AND LINKS TO TOURS WE TOOK CLICK HERE: Buenos Aires Itinerary

We combined this trip with Iguazu Falls (Argentina & Brazil side) Itinerary and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Itinerary

Days 1 - 4 Buenos Aires Itinerary

PHOTOS: See photos here: Coming soon 


AIRPORTS: 
There are two  airports in Buenos Aires: EZE (International) and AEP (Domestic) 
  • Ezeiza International (EZE) Airport: International flights
    • Customs: Extremely easy. 
    • Uber: Easy to get Uber from this airport 
  • Jorge Newberry (AEP) Airport: Domestic flights
    • For Iguazu falls, we flew via Aerolíneas Argentina airlines from Buenos Aires, Argentina (AEP) Airport → Flight to Puerto Iguazu, Argentina (IGR) Airport. Very easy airport to navigate.
FLIGHTS:
  • We took Delta Airlines from USA to Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE) International Airport
    • Luggage: No issues with carry-on luggage. Did not weigh or measure bags. 
    • Food: We requested vegetarian/vegan meals and had a great experience
    • Note: If you are taking a flight from Argentina back to the USA (on any airline) - follow same rules as USA TSA regarding fluid limits.
  • For Iguazu Falls, we took Aerolíneas Argentinas Airlines from Buenos Aires (AEP) Domestic airport to Puerto Iguazu (IGR) Domestic Airport
    • Fun Fact: Aerolíneas Argentinas is the largest and national airline in Argentina. Extremely friendly and clean aircrafts.
    • Luggage: No issues with carry-on luggage. Did not weigh or measure carry-on bags. OK to take up to 1L of water through if not traveling back to USA
TRANSPORTATION: Uber: We used Uber everywhere we went. Uber was easy and safe - make sure to pick credit card. No need to use taxis or set up private transportation beforehand.
  • TIP: Be very cautious when walking & crossing streets. Drivers do not care about pedestrians 
HOTEL:  We were recommended Palermo Soho or Palermo Hollywood areas. However, we stayed at Intercontinental Buenos Aires in the Monserrat neighborhood. This was close to popular places such as San Telmo market, Casa Rosada, Palacio Barolo etc. 

WEATHER: We went during May and weather ranged from 45 to 65 degrees. We wore jeans, tennis shoes, sweater & jacket. Recommend a scarf as well. Our last day, we had perfect weather! 
Beautiful weather in Buenos Aires, Argentina

PAYMENT METHODS: 
  • Cash: 
    • Cash rates in Argentina pesos (ARG) are complicated, but there's two main rates:
      •  (1) Official rate - determined by the government and 
      • (2) Blue rate - determined by supply and demand
    • We were unable to get Argentine Pesos (arg) from Bank of America before leaving for our trip due to this instability in currency
    • We brought two $100 US dollars bill note (crisp and unbent - wedged in a book/two cardboard pieces) for exchange. We picked these crisp and unbent bills from bank of America a few weeks before our trip. If the dollars are not crisp and unbent, Argentina Currency Exchange places  will not exchange the dollars or will give a worst rate. 
      • NOTE: the Official and blue rate when we went in May 2024 were comparable. We got 1050 ARS for $1 USD at Redcoin Western Union vs 988 ARS for $1 USD for visa/mastercard credit card 
    • We exchanged the money at a Moreno Expres - REDCOIN Western Union and was very easy 
    • Cash was accepted everywhere except Recoleta Cemetery (Credit card only). Some restaurants will ONLY accept Argentine Pesos. 
  • Credit Cards: 
    •  Only use credit cards with 0% foreign transaction fee
    • TIP:  Charge in ARS instead of USD for a better conversion rate 
SAFETY: Emergency phone number is 911. For Ambulance, call 107 in Buenos Aires
  • Avoid anyone who comes up too close to you or offers candy. Say no and walk away. don't give reason for someone to target you. Ex. Don't hold your phone out taking photos/google maps without having a firm grip on your phone, no expensive jewelry etc.
  • Belt bag - We wore a "belt purse" over one shoulder across chest to keep money / cell phone close
  • We felt safe and did not have any issues. Locals are helpful and friendly especially in touristy areas. Take uber at nighttime.
WHAT TO PACK: 
  • Passport & print color copies of passport to carry in wallet (just in case)
  • Argentina-specific plug converter needed coming from the USA 
    Argentina specific converter from Amazon 

  • Supportive shoes
  • Reusable waterbottle - we used bottled water & filled up our reusable waterbottles as a precaution 
  • Medication: Motrin/Tylenol, anti-diarrhea pills, gas-x, tums etc. 
  • Bug Spray needed
COMMUNICATION: 
  • If possible, try to learn basic Spanish phrases:
    • We recommended downloading Google Translate App to help with translations 
    • If trying to negotiate or confirm payment amount, use the calculator app on your phone to show the number 
  • Download WhatsApp App to communicate with tour guide/groups/hotels: This is the main way we communicated with any shuttle/tour/hotels etc. 
  • We activated the international AT&T plan ($10 usd/day) for one smartphone. The other smartphone, we just used for photos. 
RANDOM TIPS: 
  • In bathrooms, grab toilet paper before entering the stalls and throw into the trashcan, not the toilet. Sometimes, you  have to pay in ARS to use a bathroom and they will hand you toilet paper. 
  • Download Google maps offline for any city you will be visiting
  • If possible, avoid visiting any major tourist attraction on weekends / holidays due to heavy crowds. Morning & weekdays are much better to visit. 
    • On Sundays - very few tours run & less restaurants are open 
  • Time Zone: Argentina is one hour ahead of Eastern Time Zone
  • Fun Fact: the signal lights turn red for stop. Then, yellow for slowly start going & then green.
VEGETARIAN/VEGAN FOOD: 
  • Argentina is known for its various meats. However, we found Buenos Aires to be a vegetarian/vegan heaven! There's plenty of restaurants to accommodate all types of dietary restrictions. 
  • Recommended tipping is in pesos cash & 10% for the meal. 
  • Some local Argentinian items to try: Empanadas, Alfajores (chocolate cookie), Dulce de Leche, Malbec Wine and Mate Yerba 
    • We bought Alfajores from Havana (they have locations all around with yummy coffee). Most popular one is 70% cacao 
      Havana & Ajfajores
  • Food Delivery services in Buenos Aires: PedidoYa App or Rappi App. UberEats is NOT available in Buenos Aires. 
  • Sundays: several food places were closed. Keep this in mind when planning your trip 

  • NOTE: After ordering your meals at restaurants, the server will bring an "Entrada" or appetizer that you did not order. It's usually bread and sauce. This entrada is USUALLY not complimentary. We were charged for this entrada at some places. It's OK to say no thank you to the “Entrada” that's offered before your meal. Its a nominal cost, but don't need to fill up on bread before your delicious meal!

  • Our favorite vegetarian/vegan places we liked were:

    • (1) Raiz - get the eggplant moussaka
    • (2) Naturelza Saiba - plate of the day (lunch)

Naturelza Saiba
    • (3) La Vegana Cantina - empanadas highly recommend
    • (4) Seibo - delicious, but $$$

Seibo
    • (5) Havana Cafe - coffee and alfajores
    • (6) Rapa Nui - excellent gelato
      Gelato at RapaNui
    • (7) Gioia Cocina Botánica restaurant: We didn't make reservations far enough in advance, but the Michelin recommended vegan tasting menu at Gioia Cocina Botánica restaurant (located in Park Hyatt hotel) came highly recommended!
    • (8) Chui - Didn't get to go, but highly recommended

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS: 

We really liked "Sol Salute" blog posts and her Facebook group called "Argentina Travel Tips"that can answer any Buenos Aires / Argentina related questions you may have! 

Top sights to see in two days are broken down by neighborhood: 

(1) Recoleta 
  • Recoleta Cemetery ($8.25/pp - credit card only, buy directly there): An unpopular opinion, but did not feel this was worth it. We went to the mall on the 2nd floor next door and could also see the tombs from above. 

Recoleta Cemetery
Recoleta Cemetery

  • El Ateneo Grand Splendid Bookstore - bookstore that was a previous theater. Very cool to pop in and see. Go to 2nd and 3rd floor for best viewing.

El Ateneo Grand Splendid Bookstore
(2) La Boca: Be sure to go only during day hours. We did and highly recommend a La Boca Walking Tour  ($13,000 ARS, book online beforehand and pay via cash or credit card after completing tour) 

  • Boca Jr. Stadium
  • Caminito Street 
 
(3) San Telmo
  • San Telmo Market - Sunday is awesome because you will also see the artisan market that spans several streets. But, can visit any day. 
  • Mafalda Statue - Buenos Aires 90's famous comic strip character 
Mafalda Statue
(4) City Center area: 
We did a Walking Tour of City Center (Pay-what-you-wish and sign up beforehand) and would recommend it! 

  • Plaza De Mayo: 

    • Metropolitan Cathedral 

    • Casa Rosada (Pink Government house)- changing of the guard every 2 hours from 7 am to 9 pm

    • Cabildo - free museum; second story view has best view of Plaza de Mayo

  • Avenida de Mayo

    • Palacio Barolo - inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy. Guided tours offered

  • El Obelisco - must take photo of Buenos Aires

  • Plaza Lavalle - Teatro Colon and Tribunales Courthouse 


Teatro Colon
Teatro Colon

Cafe Tortoni: city oldest cafe!! There was a long line to get in, but no line if you go right at 8am. The prices were very high - it was nice to go inside and see the cafe; however, we don't recommend anything there.

(5) Puerto Madero Neighborhood: Buenos Aires youngest neighborhood. Very clean and modern. Expensive area.
  • Puente de la Mujer - "womens bridge" - rotating cantilever footbridge
Puente de la Mujer

(6) Other suggestions (but we did not have time for): 
  • Palermo Soho / Palermo Hollywood: We did not have time to check out these neighborhoods, but was recommended to walk around here 
  • Tango show: We did not have time to see an official tango show, but we were recommended El Querandi ($50/pp show only)
  • See a futball (soccer) game! Unfortunately, when we went - there were no games being played. But, we've heard this is an excellent experience!!
  • Day trip to City of Tigre
  • Visit an Estancia (Argentinian ranches in the countryside)
  • Day trip to Colonia, Uruguay


Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

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