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Buenos Aires
Good Airs
In Union and Liberty
Why
The Why, When & How to visit...
The capital and largest city of Argentina is a sprawling city with beautiful historic architecture amidst newer buildings. Art is at its roots from its theaters to its street art, museums, and tango shows. Layer in famous Argentinian steak and Malbec wine to consume and a visit to Buenos Aires is quite satisfying. Buenos Aires maintains mild temperatures year-round making it a pleasant destination to visit any time of the year. It can also be a starting point for a longer voyage to Antarctica, Patagonia or the rest of South America.
When
How
There are direct flights from Miami, FLL, ATL, Dallas, Houston, and NYC in the US and Mexico City and Cancun in Mexico to Buenos Aires Ezeiza
International Airport (EZE). It's a 9.5 hour flight from Florida and close to an 11 hour flight from Dallas and NYC. From EZE, it is 45 minute drive to the city center. A taxi or Uber cost about $45 to reach the city center, however there isn't a set Uber pick-up point at the airport as of Feb 2024.
Being in the Southern Hemisphere, their seasons are opposite those in the Northern Hemisphere. Making it a great place to escape to in the Winter months in the Northern Hemisphere when it's their Summer in December through March with average highs in the low 80's F. Buenos Aires stays relatively warm all year though with average highs around 60+ degrees F making it a nice place to visit any month.
Taxis can be prepaid with credit card at the "taxi ezeiza oficial" stand inside the airport after baggage claim. Paying with credit card will have a slight up-charge for the service fee than paying with cash. Speaking of credit card & cash, there is A LOT of information on money in Argentina. Argentina has had significant inflation. $10,000 Argentine Pesos was worth $50 USD in March 2023 and $10-12 USD in March 2024. Google showed an exchange rate of $1 Argentine Peso = 0.0012 USD for Q1'24. However, the exchange rate applied by my Chase credit card was closer to 0.0010 USD.
This 1,000: 1 rate is typically applied by businesses when paying in cash with USD and Euros. Most businesses accept credit card, but may charge up to 10% more as a service fee for using it. Some cash will likely be needed. However, Argentina has inordinate ATM fees around $8 (unless waived), so paying for a transaction in USD or Euros and obtaining change in Argentine Pesos may be the best way to obtain local cash in Argentina. There is also "cambio" (change) business of people trying to exchange Argentine Pesos for USD at a more favorable rate in tourist areas, but is illegal.
Where
to stay...
1) Hotel Pulitzer - I chose to stay at the Hotel Pulitzer for a beautiful, mid-price option conveniently located within walking distance to the main sights. The hotel has a ground-level restaurant & bar, pool and rooftop bar. Rooms are simple and spacious with a large bathroom with tub. For more information and the ability to book, click here.
2) Faena Hotel - Anyone familiar with the Faena Hotel in Miami will be excited to know the original Faena Hotel is located in Buenos Aires. Created by Argentinian Alan Faena and designed by Philippe Starck, the Faena Hotel is a feast for the senses. Oozing with opulent glamour, the Faena Hotel is a sight to be seen with its spacious, luxurious rooms, library, terrace, restaurants & bars, outdoor pool, and spa with marble, mirrored, and of course red accents (like an edgier Baccarat Hotel). The hotel is located in a historic brick building built in 1902 that produced grain for post-war Europe in the quieter, newer port area of Puerto Madera, along with another Miami staple -the SLS. More details on the hotel, along with the ability to book is available here.
3) Palacio Duhau - Park Hyatt Buenos Aires - For a palatial experience, head to the Palacio Duhau, a Park Hyatt. Located in a 1930's neoclassical mansion in the Recoleta neighborhood, Palacio Duhau is a luxurious option to feel like royalty complete with butler service. The hotel is filled with beautiful woodwork, chandeliers to compliment its restaurant & bar, spa, pool, and large courtyard. Renovated interiors have the classic Park Hyatt design. Rooms & bathrooms are spacious to unwind after a long day of sightseeing. More details on the hotel, along with the ability to book is accessible here.
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Others to note include The Four Seasons for another high-end, luxury option, Hotel Casa Lucia for a Small Luxury Hotel, and Selina for a youthful option in Palermo.
What
Do
to...
1) Tour the Sights - A great way to see all the main sights, get acclimated and get around the city is to take a double-decker bus tour. Taking the bus tour on a Saturday or Sunday is a great time to visit all the artisan markets occurring throughout the city. There are two double-decker bus companies - Buenos Aires Bus (yellow buses) and Gray Line (red buses), which operates bus tours in many cities around the world. As of Feb 2024, both companies had tickets available through Viator for $25 USD for 24 hours and $30 for 48 hours and cheaper than the 30,000 Argentinian Pesos charged directly through Buenos Aires Bus. I chose to take the Buenos Aires Bus Line since it goes through the Palermo neighborhood too. Round-trip takes 3 hours with the ability to hop-on and off. The buses operate 9-am-5pm and run every 10-20 minutes.
Recoleta with the famous cemetery, cultural center and weekend artisan market was a highlight. The Palermo neighborhood is nice for shopping & dining and the adjacent parks, including an ecopark, zoo and botanical & Japanese gardens, plus nearby Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo and its courtyard cafe. On Saturdays typically 10am-7pm (and some on Sundays too), there are Artisan Markets in Palermo around the Plaza Inmigrantes de Armenia, by Centro Cultural Recoleta, Parque Lezama, and in La Boca Carinta near the football (soccer) stadium. The La Boca area near the La Bombonera stadium is also a fun area to stop & explore for a bite and some souvenir shopping.
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2) See a Tango Show - Experience a tango show where the dance originated near Buenos Aires. There are many tango shows & dinner options to choose from, so I narrowed it down to a few standout options, including Piazzolla Tango, Mansion Tango, and Cafe de los Angelitos. I chose Piazzolla Tango and loved the theater it was located in, the meal, and show. It was however, located in the lower level of the building and got warm. It's also good to book one with transportation back to your accommodations as they end around 11pm once the city is mostly shut down for the day. Or take a tango lesson of your own with this option that combines a one hour tango dance lesson with a wine tasting & empanadas.
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3) Indulge in Argentinian Cuisine - Indulge in an immersive 6-course dinner with wine pairings at this Argentinian dining experience available here. Or sample a variety of Argentinian treats with a visit to a market in the San Telmo neighborhood on this small group Food Tour. Or learn to make your own Argentinian food with this small group Cooking Class in the Palermo Soho neighborhood.
Leave Buenos Aires for the day on this day trip to vineyard Bodega Gamboa for a small group wine tasting & picnic in the vineyard to try a variety of local Argentinian wines and snacks. This wine tasting & picnic at Bodega Gamboa also offers a 10:30am departure, in addition to the 9am. Experience life on the ranch at Estancia Santa Susana with this morning tour. Estancia Santa Susana is a beautiful, historic ranch about 90 min drive from Buenos Aires. Visitors are greeted with empanadas & wine and can wander around the beautiful grounds before enjoying an Argentinian BBQ lunch with music & dancing and a horse show.
Eat
If you're not a vegetarian, then asado (grilled beef) is at the top of the list often served with french fries and salad. Next up, empanadas served with your choice of filling meat, ham & cheese, humita (sweet corn), or veggie. Check out one of the food experiences listed above!
Drink
Malbec & Mate. The great Argentinian Malbec red wine to accompany the asada and Yerba Mate as a non-alcoholic beverage that is extremely popular in Argentina, although not found in many cafes.
*If of legal drinking age to drink responsibly
Wear
Cool Casual
Watch
Evita by
Alan Parker
Listen
"Buenos Aires"
by Madonna
Gift
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