Buenos Aires > Reviews > BA Uncovered

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money
Shopping
Nightlife
Ease of getting around
Family Friendly

Advantages:	The People, Atmosphere, Gateway to South America, Partying
Disadvantages:	Distance, Expense

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

The flight to Buenos Aires, into Ezeiza Airport, is a long one from the UK, however due to the +3 to +4 hour time difference the timing of most of the major airlines is very convenient. For example British Airways leaves at around 10pm and lands in Buenos Aires at 7am the next day five days a week.

There are numerous taxis available outside the airport, with the journey into the centre of BA taking around 40 minutes and costing around $30.

To many Argentines, their capital city is synonymous with the country itself, and indeed 40% of the population live in the city's massive, sprawling suburbs. Buenos Aires is situated on the banks of the Río de la Plata in the Federal Capital district, and not, as one would expect, in Buenos Aires province. Unlike most South American cities, whose architectural styles reveal a strong Spanish colonial influence, Buenos Aires looks more like Paris, with wide boulevards lined with palatial mansions. The city throngs with bankers on the make and sophisticated dressers mingling with the gaunt beggars and unemployed from the surrounding shanty-town suburbs.

Downtown, the Plaza de Mayo is the traditional focus of activity, while nearby Avenida 9 de Julio is popularly known as the world's widest thoroughfare and is truly a pedestrian's nightmare. Avenida Santa Fe is the most fashionable shopping area.
Buenos Aires is an expensive city but regardless whether you are after a cheap or a top-end hotel, it is possible to stay right in the centre of things. Congreso is a good place to look for inexpensive lodgings, while mid-range hotels are concentrated on Avenida de Mayo. Food bargains can be had in the suburbs of La Boca and San Telmo. Downtown, Lavalle and Avenida Corrientes are the places to go for pizza, coffee with the city's intellectuals or one of those ubiquitous meaty dishes.

A small selection of the things to do and see in BA which I would recommend are;

Casa Rosada (Pink House). This pale pink palace is the official presidential residence and government headquarters. The first-floor balcony on the building's northern wing is used by the country's leaders to speak to the enormous crowds that gather below.

Catedral Metropolitana. The neoclassical facade of the city's cathedral was initiated in 1822, but the building predates the facade by a century. The remains of General José de San Martín, the hero of the War of Independence against Spain, are buried here in a marble mausoleum carved by the French sculptor Carrière Belleuse.

Cementerio de la Recoleta (Recoleta Cemetery). Next to Nuestra Señhora del Pilar church are the elaborate mausoleums of a Who's Who of Argentine history: presidents, political leaders, soldiers, authors, ranchers. The embalmed body of Eva Duarte de Peron rests here in the Duarte family tomb, and there is a handsome statue of Luis Angel Firpo, the world heavyweight boxing champion known as the "Bull of the Pampas”.

Centro Cultural Recoleta (Recoleta Cultural Centre). The centre attracts tens of thousands of visitors on weekends to its art shows and concerts.

People-watching in Puerto Madero. An enormous project to revive this area, the city's old port, has resulted in one of Buenos Aires' most dynamic and modern neighbourhoods. Enjoy a walk along the river front board-walk and an evening at one of its many fine restaurants.

Plaza de Mayo. This two-block-long plaza has been the stage for many important events in local history, including the uprising against Spain on May 25, 1810.

In the evenings BA offers many opportunities to party the night away, with the recent growth in “British Pubs” you can even enjoy a pint of Guinness or Boddingtons. On a Friday or Saturday night the likes of the Three Lions or the Druids Bar are packed with ex-pats and local Argentine’s until the very early hours! However a “good” night out could end up costing an arm and a leg, with a pint of foreign beer costing $6 (almost £4), local larger, Quilmers or Izebeck
are cheaper at $4 a pint (£2.50)

Eating out can be relatively inexpensive, with the local specialities based on meat or fish, vegetarians will have a difficult time finding a decent meal here. The local wine is very good, especially the reds from the Mendoza region, and relatively cheap.

Buenos Aires is a very good launching point for exploration of the delights of the remainder of Argentina and South America and can be done in a long weekend, however to submerse yourself and fully experience the lifestyle allow a little longer.