I'm debating a run to Buenos Aires sometime in June, and my only holdback is the fact that I can't speak Spanish. Is this a major impediment, or can I "manage"?

You can manage. Besides, even if you spoke español, you might not be able to understand the porteños. Your hotel will speak sufficient ingles. Foods (especially fruits/vegetables) will be called different things than you might expect, but Pizza is Pizza, Chopp is draft beer, Vino is wine, helado is ice cream, and a parilla (pronounced pah-ree-zza [as in Gabor] is where you get great grilled dead animals. That's all you need to know. Have a great trip.

You should not have much of a problem, and more importantly, Buenos Aires is a wonderful place to visit.

NOt much of a problem - Be careful when you arrive in EZE - Take a radio-taxi if need be.
There are great restaurants in Puerto Maderio. Have fun http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

I was there this past February, speak no Spanish and loved it. It is amazing how far one can get with "hola" and "gracias." I didn't feel at all unsafe in the city, either.

I've met so many people down there who don't speak spanish and they love it !!

Btw, most restaurants in Puerto Madero have waiters who speak english and most of the tourist places.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by akhullar:
Be careful when you arrive in EZE - Take a radio-taxi if need be.
</font>

Why? What's a radio-taxi?

It's taxi dispatch, which is suggested to take to avoid any problems with high fares or muggings from unofficial(pirate) taxistas.

I once took those pirate taxis and had a problem when the driver decided to take another route and then got stuck in traffic, after I told him once to avoid that route.

Since I'm a native spanish speaker and in the past have dealt with dishonest taxistas in my country, I decided to give him some money and then leave the cab.

That's why foreigners take radio taxi's, you never know what could happen if someone decided to take you for a long ride and demanded to get paid for it. Btw, these pirate taxistas carry fire arms also.

It's not only foreigners who take radio-taxis, many locals do too, especially at night, and not only from the airport. Be particularly careful about taking a cab after changing money at a conspicuous foreign exchange place, or after taking money from an ATM.

At the airport, a good bet is "Manuel Tienda Leon". Their stand is right at the exit from customs. They have minibuses that go to their downtown terminal for about US$5 (from there you walk or cab to your hotel), and cars that take you to any downtown address for about US$15.

you will be able to get by.. be sure to plan out your stay as there are tons of things to see and do.. and definetly try and catch a Boca or River football (soccer) game when you are down there as it's an experience in itself allowing you to see the passion locals have for this great sport (in comparison to Baseball or american football).

If you get a chance, definetly try and stay in the Recoleta or Puerto Madero area.. both safe and lots of hotels at very good prices..

also, if you get a chance, visit Iguazu falls for a couple days..(yes, I know it's just a run, though if you take a long weekend, you'll be amazed at all the beauty)

BTW, be prepared to pay in US CASH an US$18 departure tax, rarely included in your ticket..

let us what other advice we can provide..

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by sargento:
you will be able to get by.. be sure to plan out your stay as there are tons of things to see and do.. and definetly try and catch a Boca or River football (soccer) game when you are down there as it's an experience in itself allowing you to see the passion locals have for this great sport (in comparison to Baseball or american football).

If you get a chance, definetly try and stay in the Recoleta or Puerto Madero area.. both safe and lots of hotels at very good prices..

also, if you get a chance, visit Iguazu falls for a couple days..(yes, I know it's just a run, though if you take a long weekend, you'll be amazed at all the beauty)

BTW, be prepared to pay in US CASH an US$18 departure tax, rarely included in your ticket..

let us what other advice we can provide..</font>

Tough getting tix for Boca Jr. unless you are staying in a 5star hotl and the bell captain might part with one http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Have steak - This is the best steak country in the world.

Double check if your tix has departure tax - Mine did, my companions didn't - Otherwise keep USD18 in exact change http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Go see a Tango show, or hangout in smoky tango-parlors. Portenos are great fun to hang out with.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by akhullar:
Tough getting tix for Boca Jr. unless you are staying in a 5star hotl and the bell captain might part with one http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif</font>

Althought not advisable (personal injury may occur), you can get cheap bleachers tix. Popular soccer matches can get pretty violent too; especially if the home team is losing. As a child, we used to dress down and give the attendant a few pesos to let us in during the second half of the game. It worked most of the time.

By the way, you get change back either in USD or ARS when paying the departure tax at the airport.

Jorge

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by yyzer:
At the airport, a good bet is "Manuel Tienda Leon". Their stand is right at the exit from customs. They have minibuses that go to their downtown terminal for about US$5 (from there you walk or cab to your hotel), and cars that take you to any downtown address for about US$15.</font>

I also recommend Manuel Tienda Leon. As you come out of customs, their booth is straight ahead and well marked. Fare was $45 pesos, or ~$15 as stated by yyzer.

Be careful in BA, as noted here (http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/Forum31/HTML/000075.html).

Will