Buenos Aires, Argentina is a city that offers something to everyone. It is the birthplace of Tango. It is a cosmopolitan jungle that never sleeps. Romance and culture can be found around every corner. Fun activities and interesting outings are never hard to come by. It is as classy and lively as New York or Paris, but at half the price. Buenos Aires is a bustling city with a population over 13 million. Due to its incredible size, it is nice to have a little insider’s knowledge on what to do, where to go and a how to find a decent place to lay your head at night. Continue reading to learn some insider’s knowledge about one of the world’s greatest cities.
The Barrios
Buenos Aires consists of El Capital or city center and the outer suburban areas. There are multiple beautiful, interesting zones inside the capital area that offer a safe and enjoyable stay.
The Recoleta area is one of the most popular. In the 1800’s, during the health crisis of the Yellow Fever, the rich and famous moved their families to Recoleta. In addition, the most highly esteemed cemetery was created in the area. It is considered to be more expensive to be buried there than to live an entire lifetime in Buenos Aires. Due to these different facts, as well as the creation of incredibly beautiful hotels and restaurants, it has become one of the most admired areas of the city.
Palermo is an area that has been making a strong comeback in the last few years. It is enriched with cultural activities, such as the city’s zoo, huge parks with rollerblading and water activities, as well as some of the best shopping options. Many of the apartment buildings have undergone intensive facelifts. The makeovers have left the neighborhood with a classy, modern feel.
San Telmo is most famous for being the home to the father of Tango, Carlos Gardel. The streets are still embossed with cobblestone and offer a historical feel. It, too, is in the midst of an overhaul, but mainly to abandoned and timeworn buildings, allowing it to still feel like yesteryear.
Puerto Madero is the new modern, sky-rise section of Buenos Aires. This is the area that has seen the most growth in recent years. The buildings circumvent the Rio Plata and offer some of the best restaurants in the city. It is also a wonderful place for a romantic stroll on the boardwalk bordering the water’s edge. Throughout the year there are different outdoor concerts that offer entertainment for thousands of people, such as the Personal Fest and Creamfields.
The oldest barrio, La Boca, is a neighborhood that continues to display its beginnings. The cobblestone streets and brightly painted buildings remain as they were one hundred years ago. This is also the stomping grounds of the Argentine’s favorite soccer team, La Boca Juniors. It is well worth visiting the La Bombonera, the stadium that hosts the blue and yellow jersey soccer team, as long as they are not playing their main rival, River Plate. When the two principal Argentine teams meet it is raucous mess of fights, insults and possible riots. It is also not recommended to walk too far away from the main areas of the main street, Calle Caminito, and the soccer stadium for safety reasons and to avoid the area after dark.
The Restaurants
Buenos Aires is full of incredibly tasty restaurants. Every facet of international cuisine can be found within its crowded streets.
For a restaurant that is as unique and sensual as the city itself, try Te Mataré Ramirez. It is an aphrodisiac restaurant with flare. Candle light, velvet and a crimson-colored décor offers a romantic ambiance. Each dish is exquisitely described in their storybook like menu. The tastes are combined in a delicious rainbow of flavor, leaving the taste buds singing with praise. The dining is accompanied with nightly dinner shows that vary from poetic readings to sensual jazz. The restaurant has two different locations. The central hub is located in the neighborhood Palermo Soho on Calle Gorriti 5054, telephone 4831 9156. There is also a smaller version of the restaurant outside city center in the suburb San Isidro, located on Calle Primera
Junta 702, telephone 4747 8618. It is strongly recommended to call ahead for reservations.
Argentina is a Latin country that is extremely proud of its European heritage and is not known for its Mexican food. There is one restaurant, though, that does offer some of the best Mexican-style dishes in the country, El Salto de las Ranas (the jump of the frogs). The atmosphere is full of Hispanic details, with festive wall murals, bright colors and corn husk chandeliers. The house offers a variety of margaritas and freshly made chips. The dishes cover all of the major cuisine choices of a real Mexican restaurant, including tacos, burritos, enchiladas and a flavorful taco salad. The fajitas are very fresh and are offered with homemade tortillas. El Salto de las Ranas is located on Calle Rodriguez Peña 1169, telephone 4811-2635.
A restaurant that is a favorite for the Porteños (people of Buenos Aires) is Sabot. This establishment is where the big wigs of the city come to enjoy their lunch. Specialties include the steak, as well as the salmon kabob. Don’t be frightened by the well-worn tablecloths, it is a part of the endeared ambiance to this city favorite. Located on Calle 25 de Mayo 756, telephone 4313 6587, it is open Monday through Friday from noon till four.
The Ferias
There are many different ferias or craft fairs that showcase the artistic abilities and culture of Buenos Aires.
The Recoleta feria mixes live music, shows and handmade crafts such as leather goods, clothes, jewelry and household art. It is located on the main square next to the Recoleta cemetery. It is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am till sundown.
The Boca neighborhood offers a more artistic and touristy option to the craft fair. Open both Saturdays and Sundays, the booths lining the colorful streets surrounding Calle Camanito are filled with hand-painted pictures, sculptures and jewelry. The fair is also home to multiple musical acts, mimes and tango dancers.
San Telmo’s fair, operating on Sundays, offers every type of antique imaginable. From furniture to wall hangings, or jewelry to silverware, the full spectrum is available within the main square. Beyond the central plaza are shops that are filled with treasures of the past, as well as more booths and street vendors selling hand-made goods.
Beyond the city center nineteen miles (thirty kilometers) is the Tigre barrio. It holds the largest of the ferias, with hundreds of booths to linger at. The market is filled with beautiful wicker furniture, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as flowers. But the area has many more activities to enjoy beyond the artisans. Tigre is a network of islands interconnected by boats that run the Rio Luján. There are row boats to rent or large tourist vessels that will leisurely float you down the river while they show off the wealthy accommodations and parks built among the shoreline. There is also a large amusement park, Parque de la Costa, that offers beautiful views from the various rides. For the adults in the group, there is a large casino, Nuevo Trilenium Casino de Tigre. The gambling arena offers slots, roulette tables and different shows.
Places to Stay
The options for sleeping and relaxing in Buenos Aires are as diverse as the city itself. There is every type of accommodation available, but it is important not to always believe what you see on the internet. A little homework can be the difference between disappointment and enjoyment.
For a slice of the high life, try the Faena Hotel + Universe. This eclectic, modern, unique hotel opened in 2004 with much fanfare. The fashion designer Alan Faena, along with other entrepreneurs, invested over 100 million dollars to create the chic 85 room hotel and apartment complex. It provides one-of-a-kind amenities such as a cabaret, open bar and pool area that offers live entertainment, and silver swan faucets in the bathrooms. The décor is a swanky and elegant feel with red velvet, purple suede and trendy lighting. The pool, bar area and cabaret are open to the public during evening hours.
Another stylish option for accommodations is a newcomer to the San Telmo neighborhood, Hotel Moreno. This refurbished building, originally built by the German/Hungarian architect Johannes Dronfuss in 1929, offers apartment-style comfort with hotel amenities. The rooms come in four different sizes, ranging from 39 square meters (420 square feet) to 74 square meters (796 square feet). Each room is decorated with a modern flair. The space is open and airy, with high ceilings and large windows, giving views to the surrounding historical buildings. In March 2008 the hotel will open a 130 lounge-seat theater and restaurant catering to the tastes of Argentine wines and Latin American flavors. The prices for staying in such a classy establishment as this are very reasonable. One piece advice though, is to ask for a room located at the end of the halls due to the noise coming from the démodé elevator.
An option not found in many world-class cities like Buenos Aires, is the ability to stay in fashionable apartments for pennies on the dollar. Because of the currency crisis of 2002, many apartments and apartment buildings were purchased with the short term rental market in mind. The buildings were remodeled with the idea of giving the tourist a home away from home. Many of the posh neighborhoods have sophisticated dwellings, ranging from studio to multiple family accommodations, including such amenities as pools, parking areas, security and maid service. The rental time period can range from a week to six months, depending on availability. Reynolds Propiedades (http://www.homes.com.ar/), a real estate company specializing in apartment rentals, is one of the better companies offering different styles and prices in the many various neighborhoods.
Buenos Aires is an inexpensive city that is comparable to the best metropolitan areas of the world. It is a wonderful combination of exquisite dining options, comfortable accommodations, interesting culture, and unparalleled treasures to bring back home. And it doesn’t matter what time you arrive. The locals will be awake, waiting for you with open arms.
