Car/driver for Buenos Aires Capital Federal (as in the city) itself, or for the near entirety of the Buenos Aires province? Generally I don't take or suggest hiring a car/driver for the day if it's just for the city, especially as taxis are both plentiful and generally cheaper/better value. I could be dated on this matter, but if you hire a car/driver by the hour, they'll try to get 60 pesos per hour generally. If you do so for 8 hours or more (i.e., by the day), it should be no more than 45 pesos per hour. I've heard it being as much as $150 per day (450 pesos) in parts of Argentina, but that hasn't been me either.

mostly around the city,

but maybe just a "guide" with a car

or just a "guide" who knows how to get around town would be just as good ?

Rally

I personally like the Argentine beef much better than much of our American beef - the beef is more flavourful, which I suspect is from grass feeding south, vs. the practice of finishing beef by corn-feeding in feedlots in the USA. IMO, more flavour, fewer antibiotics perhaps, and a cut that goes better with a nice Malbec (a nice one, not a cheap plonky one,) than US beef.

I can't recall where I got this (some years ago,) but a guide to many cuts of beef you will see available in Argentina (I'm pretty sure the only thing Argentines don't use from beef cattle in cuisine is the "moo.") (Gaucho100K, I seem to be misisng a couple here... feel free to chime in or correct.)

BEEF - CARNE DE RES

Aguja - Chuck, Chuck Roast from immediately in back of neck (cogote)
Asado / Asado de Tira - Rib Roast, Short Rib Roast
Azotillo - a Shoulder cut
Bife Ancho - Rib Eye Steaks, Prime Rib, Rib Eye Roast,
Bife Angosto - Strip SteakPorterhouse Steak
Bife a la Rueda - Round Steak
Bife de Alcatra - Sirloin Steak
Bife de Costilla - T-Bone Steaks
Bife de Chorizo - like a Strip Steak
Bife de Lomo - Tenderloin / "filet mignon"
Bofe - Lungs
Bola de Lomo - Sirloin Tip Roast
Carnaza - Stewing Beef
Carne Picada - Ground Beef
Chinchul�n - upper segment of the Small Intestine
Chorizo - Spicy Sausage
Cogote - Neck
Colita de Cuadril - Rump Steak
Coraz�n - Heart
Costilla - Rib
Criadilla - Testicle of young beef
Cuadrada - Bottom Round-Stewing or Strogonoff Beef
Cuadril - Rump Roast, Rump Steaks
Entra�a - Skirt Steak
Escondido -
Falda - Skirt Steak (diaphragm)
Falda con hueso - Skirt steak with bone
H�gado - Liver
Lengua - Tongue
Lomo - Tenderloin
Marucha - Short Ribs
Matambre - Flank Steak
Milanesa - Minute Steak
Mollejas - Sweetbreads
Mondongo - one of the stomachs
Morcilla - Blood Sausage
Nalga - Round Stewing Beef, standing rump
Ojo de Bife - Ribeye
Ossobuco - Shin
Paleta - Shoulder Roast, blade steak
Palomita - Butterfly Cut near Shoulder Roast
Peceto - Round Steaks, Roast Eye of Round
Pecho - Brisket
Rabo - Oxtail
Ri�ones - Kidneys
"Ros Bif" - Roast Beef (you'll sometimes see on menus)
Sesos - Brains
Tapa de Asado - Rib Cap Roast
Tapa de Nalga - Cap of Round Roast
Tapa de Cuadr�l - Cap of Rump Roast
Tortuguita - a portion of the Rump
Tripa Gorda - Large Intestine
Ubre - Udder
Vac�o - Flank Steak

OTHER MEATS

Cabrito - Goat
Cerdo - Pork
Cordero - Lamb
Lech�n or Lechoncito - Suckling Pig
Pato - Duck
Pollo - Chicken
Ternera - Veal

If you go to a true gaucho outing / competition / fair, you will possibly see all of the above beef cuts, as well as some chicken and more, on the charcoal. I don't recall seeing too many vegetarians at these events; IMO, they would definitely be uncomfortable and hungry (later.) You'll see fewer cuts, but still have plenty to choose from, at a parrilla ("pah-REE-yah") or grill, like Las Nazarenas in Bs As, or asad�r.

Typically, that would be the way to pronounce the Spanish word parrilla.

However, in Buenos Aires, I have heard it pronounced pah-REE-zhah or pah-REE-jah with a soft "j" sound.

Rally

Two young ladies I personally know offer (professional) guided services in BsAs with their private vehicles.

Ana Luna, http://www.ana-luna.com
or
Lorena Muzo, http://www.transfersinargentina.com

In either case, feel free to drop my name if you contact them.

David

David, I assume you have used both these services? Have they met your expectations? I looking for your and the experience of others with these folks as I asked many times to referr services like these. Thanks.

I have used both Ana Luna and Lorena Muzo for airport transfers. They are reliable and very pleasant company for the ride. They speak some English which is helpful for me since my Spanish is very limited. Highly recommended!!!

Though I have not hired them for any city tours or as guides but I know they are available.

CAPT Tee, I'm a little confused. If their English is only "some" and you haven't used them for a tour, what is your reco based on?

I have had very good experiences with a young woman named Cintia and her husband Mathias, who were fabulous guides in/around B.A. I also introduced their services to two other FT'ers whom I believe would certainly provide a high recommendation.

The name of their company is WowArgentina. The website is a good overview, and can be found HERE. I hope that this is of help to others on the board.

Best, Dave

It's based on I have used them for airport transfers for about 15 times in the past. Like I said, they were both pleasant companies and I have been able to have nice conversations with them during the rides.

Gaucho

Yes I have used them both, know them both personally, and can personally recommend either one. They are both hard working and sincerely trying to provide a good service at a fair price.
Both are driving nice new cars, and both are good careful drivers (not a unimportant consideration for anyone familier with Argentine drivers!)

They also both depend on references, so if you use either one please feel free to post any experience (good or bad).

Lorena Muzo:
http://www.transfersinargentina.com

Ana Luna
http://www.ana-luna.com

I booked Ana-Luna last year, and she was a no show to pick me up. I even called her cell phone twice from the airport, and hung around for another 40 minutes, with her never showing up.

The sad part is, that she just shrugged it off when asked about it. Friends of mine have had good experiences with her, and I've heard from a number of other late or no shows.

She was pleasant when I met her at another time, but after a long flight the last thing you want to do is hang around the airport any longer than you have to.

I second what bseller says. Cintia and Mathias were very helpful in booking a lot of local things for us. Mathias was also our guide on a day trip to the Tigre area. I highly recommend them. (I'm not one of the people bseller introduced them to).

In about 1 hour, my tickets to Buenos Aires can no longer be cancelled. Staying nearly 2 weeks this time. It's been about a year and a half since my last visit and I can't wait to return. Much of the reason I've found BA and Argentina so pleasing is by making great use of the advice and information found here. So, thanks everyone for helping to give my wife and I our favorite place on earth.

Thank you Gaucho for starting this thread, and also everyone else who has contributed wisdom to it.

I have always wanted to visit BA, and it seems that with the excellent airfares that are available right now I may finally be able to make it happen.

My trip will take place during the first couple of weeks in December.

Is there anything special happening at that time of year ? Such as events that will make accomodation difficult to find.

Can someone provide specific recommendations for Public Transit from EZE to downtown BA. From reading through the thread it would appear that taxis are a preferred option, but I am normally a transit kind of guy.

Any recommendations for hostels in BA ?

Thanks in advance.

There is a public bus that goes to the airport. I think only costs a $1 or so. I know you have to leave the terminal to catch it, but not sure exactly where. It is a long ride, I've heard.

There is also a bus service, Tienda Leon (or something similar), that will save you some money over a taxi as well. 20-30 pesos, I think. (Approx 3 pesos to 1 dollar)

Can't help you on the Hostels. You can rent an apartment pretty reasonably if you look a bit. The prices have steadily increased over the last 3 years, so not the super bargain it was then. Still plenty of food and interesting things to see.