Unexpectedly - but pleasingly - I shall be in Buenos Aires for New Year's Eve. Is there anything special likely to happen e.g. fireworks, street parties that worth heading for?

TiA

I live out in the sticks but as far as I know BA has managed to avoid all that firework and street party nonsense that you get elsewhere in the world. Christmas and New Year here is still very much a time to be spent with family. It is of course the main holiday season so many of those who stay in the capital will be heading off to all parts of Argentina for the festive period so I imagine it'll be pretty quiet.

I'm sure you won't be upset to hear that though.

Good news indeed - thanks for that. Would explain why reward nights at the IC were very easy to come by. Unlike hotel rooms in Punta del Este the following week.

Am popping in at EZE this week to get some bottles of Vina Cobos (other reasons also, but wine always tops the list). Staying in the Recoleta and am planning on either a remises transfer or Taxi Ezeiza, to be booked and paid on the spot on arrival (so charge or US Dollars). Usually I am more than willing to exchange USDs for the local currency and pay in the local, thinking that it might be arrogant to force the people in the foregin country to accept "my country's" currency. However, having read a bit lately about the foreign currency restrictions on the locals as well as the strikes and general economic news, I'm wondering if service-type personnel, as well as shopkeepers, are actually preferring USDs these days to the AR since USDs are in somewhat restricted supply. (On some level it would be easier to pay in USDs for tips, taxi fares, non-credit carded expenses.) Can I get away with paying taxi fares in USDs? Tips at nice hotels and restaurants? Can I bargain for a discount on hard good(ies) if I offer to pay in US cash? It's been a decade since I've visited BA and a long time since the last major economic meltdown.

Also, I'm leaving on a 10:30 p.m. flight on the weekend on UA, up front. No checked luggage. What time should I leave the Recoleta for EZE?

Some stores will take your USD cash and offer you an advantageous exchange rate. However, remember that this is optional so dont assume that everybody will be willing to take them and improve your rate. I suggest asking, being nice, and then decide what you want to do. You can try to bargain, but again, Argentina is not like Egypt or some SE Asian destinations where its a national sport, so bargain with caution and dont assume or expect to be able to impose anything.

On most things wine related, you may want to PM or email me as depending on where you live, buying Vinia Cobos in Buenos Aires can be a very silly thing to do.....

disclaimer: I have a horse in the race of all things Wine Related

Paul Hobbs' goodies are good to drink everywhere, although there are plenty of great Malbec, etc. producers from Salta and Mendoza to drink, locally. We get boatloads in California, so I'm not trying to buy for the purpose of bringing home.

But, as to the taxi and tips, can I use USDs? From other threads it seems that Banco Nacion gives adequate rates at EZE, and maybe exchanging US$50 will be plenty for a few days in Argentina. Also, is the key asking if they take first? Just planning on taxing around BA a number of times, and would otherwise use the pesos at restaurants.

In addition, what time should I leave town for EZE on departure these days?

In my experience last week, I found the level of interest in dollars highly variable. Some people saw that I had them and offered to take them at rates so favorable to me that I felt compelled to throw in more. Others had no interest at all or referred to the CFK/official rate. I was surprised that some reputable chain stores openly offered to take dollars at 6 while some sole proprietors expressed concern about AFIP enforcement. I expected the opposite.

Specifically, what day, and what flight time?

Sunday around 10:30 pm on ua. Front cabin. Coming from recoleta

Variable is a good way to put it... its good to remember that no store is obliged to take your US$ and the rate that they fix is also entirely of their own choice. The best approach is to be nice, ask, and then decide whats best for you to do. It is also true that some folks take an aggressive gambling style approach, ie. wanting you to give them USD cash at the official rate... for those that do that, I suggest you just take out your plastic and get miles...

You say it yourself in your post above.... as the Hobbs labels are available in the States, plus the fact that a bottle of Cobos will cost you a small fortune, plus the fact that there are sooo many small producers and limited release things that you cant get in the US..... bottom line, there is a lot out there to try thats new and very interesting. Plus, if you find something that you love, you can get it shipped to you in the States.

My wife and I will be in BA between 20 and 28 May 2013. For some reason, 23/24 May does not have the ongoing Hilton everywhere weekend availability. We are considering going by ferry to Montevideo for a night. The buquebus website behaves as if the trip does not exist. Keeps swapping to Colona or saying cannot find the trip. What am I doing wrong? How do I book a trip for 2 (BA to Montevideo) on 23 May and return on 24 May? Or should I be doing a day return? Help from Gaucho or any other person out there would be appreciated.

chimambu, I believe you cross the river in the ferry and then board a bus if you want to continue on to Montevideo, Punta del Este, etc.

Either ferry the whole way to MVD (1 or 2 trips a day) and also, Colonia + bus options. Perhaps those schedules are not yet loaded?

Thanks Eastbay1K and KurtD. I have done dummy bookings for February and March and those are possible. I will keep an eye open for when May 2013 fares are loaded.

The prices for February and March are showing as between $390 and $800 each way per passenger. Is this the kind of price to expect as they appear a bit steep for ferry crossing?