Hotel & Restaurant Guides
 

For Restaurants in Buenos Aires (in English & Spanish) try www.guiaoleo.com.ar

For Hotel and general info try www.wunderground.com
Enter Buenos Aires (or any other city of interest) and click on meet locals, lots of good info.

Enjoy!

There have been several posts here and on the Hilton Forum about Hilton Buenos Aires picking you up at the airport for a charge of $25. I this $25 per person or $25 per party (of two). Apparently taxi fair is about $20. Is there an advantage to the Hilton pickup and if so how do you arrange it? Thanks

I don't know what the cost of the hotel-arranged car is as of late, but 75 pesos -- if that is what it still is -- for an airport transfer is a little on the high side given perfectly functional taxis for a lesser price. In regards to the Hilton's associated car service (it's a vendor and not operated by the hotel itself), it's decent and priced as per car and not as per person/party (unless you care to inform them that there are more persons than just yourself and associated guest. (The cars will not always comfortably fit 4 passengers besides the driver, so if you are more than 3 persons keep that in mind.)

We've arrange for the car service for myself or guests for whom I am paying by calling up the hotel in advance, giving them the flight info, and asking to have the service charged to my account/room.

Where to stay last night in BA
 

We are traveling from Iguacu back to BA about 3:00 on a Thursday afternoon. Our flight out of EZE leaves at 7 the next morning. We are staying at the Art Hotel when in BA during the first part of our trip, but asked our travel agent about staying at Posada de las Aguilas, near the international airport, our last night in BA. She does not recommend it because she doesn't think it's safe (we are a group of 4 women). Is the area really unsafe? Are there any restaurants nearby? I thought it would be easy, convenient, and less expensive.

Your thoughts? Where would you recomend we stay our last night in BA when we have very little time. Should we go back to the Art Hotel?

Also, our travel agent, who has been very helpful thus far, told me that we would need 2 taxis to bring us back to the airport. We've always easily managed with 1 taxi, as we each only take a 22" suitcase. Is it going to be a problem using a taxi for 4 passengers?

Thanks for your help.

4 in a cab - no way!
 

Don't even think of trying to get 4 people in one cab to EZE with any luggage in BA. You either need 2 cabs, or you need to order a big car from one of the private car services such as Manuel Tienda Leon. Earlier this month we paid 55 pesos including tip for a cab from the Microcentro downtown to EZE.

We had four in the cab, with minimal luggage each ... it was a squeeze but we did fit. I think it was around 75-80 pesos, agreed to at the airport with one of the car firms as you're walking out of customs.

I don't know a single person who has ever stayed by the EZE airport. Better off staying in town.

At over 70 pages...
 

...this thread has become a novella. Consequently, I will apologize in advance for a) not having enough time to sort through every page/topic, and b) thereby asking questions that have already been asked/answered.

So...we're planning a honeymoon in Argentina for 11/20-11/29. Land in BA on the morning of the 21st, going straight to Patios de Cafayate (staying at a new *wood property that is billed as a "wine spa"). Depart Cafayate on the morning of the 25th, to BA; staying at the Park Tower. Staying in BA through evening of the 29th. I'm struggling with several things, including:

1) How best to get to Cafayate from EZE, then back to BA. The concierge at the Cafayate hotel sent some general info...all in Spanish. At this point, the recommendation is to fly into De Guemes, but I can't even find it. Closest destination on the Aerolineas Argentina site is Salta, and they want $520US per person for a round trip from BA. That seems a little steep.

2) Once in Salta (or De Guemes) it is either a bus ($5.00US per person), or various private cars/taxis ranging from $80 to $170 one way, per person. Perhaps a naive question, but it is a bus ride in that part of the country safe?

3) What, besides Aerolineas Argentina, are my best airline options from BA to Cafayate? And is it better to fly out of EZE, or the small regional airport in BA (can't remember what it's called).

As for the "what to do" kind of stuff, we're got plans for a number of things, including the "Train to the Clouds" from, I think, Salta, the San Telmo flea market on Sunday in BA, the requisite tango dinner and the ferry day trip to Uruguay. Any other thoughts?

Many thanks in advance.

Unless you are going to charter a private aircraft, you will be flying into Salta. Since you are going to stay at the Park Tower, I suggest you contact the Concierge Desk at that property to help you with the arrangements, their Concierge Desk has staff that is able to communicate efficiently in English.

Aerolineas may be pricey, but, you must consider that your travel dates are already in high season, plus, you are not booking very early. Remember that the best fares have residency requirements, so you may not apply for those. I cant say off hand if there are other carriers serving Salta from AEP (thats the city airport you are searching for in Buenos Aires), but the Part Tower Concierge will be able to give you more details.

A bus service in Salta will be safe... but for the cost of what a private car will set you back, it would be unwise not to book the latter. I suggest you have the hotel arrange for pickup. For your incoming transfer from EZE to AEP, you can use Manuel Tienda Leon or one of the authorized car services you will easily find in EZE.

The Tren de las Nubes is a must do.... the views are amazing.

Congratulations on your wedding, and thank you for selecting to come to Argentina. Im sure you will have a wonderful trip.

No Juice,

We are also flying to Argentina towards the end of November and just booked flights to Salta for November 24 for 263 per person. (Feel free to pm me about the travel agent we used to book the flights.) We are renting a car in Salta for 4 days and will be driving to Cafayate, and various other destinations. The Avis rental is about 200, including insurance.

BA to Asuncion by Bus?
 

Has anyone actually taken this trip or know something about it? My daughter (18) and I will be in Buenos Aires next month and she has been invited to spend several weeks with friends in Asuncion, Paraguay. I will escort her there and return to BA.

I know the trip is long- I've heard 19 hours, but I've also been told that the buses are quite comfortable. I have NOT heard, however, about cost (versus airfare), frequency, etc. Does anyone have that information?

Vital question: would such a trip be a good way to introduce her to South America or would it turn her off? I realize that's a question of personal preference, but would be interested in any comments. She's been all over the world, but that was as a young child. We're close and I thought it might be fun, but I may be more adventurous than she!

Any thoughts/suggestions? Or, should I just get the plane tickets and do it the easy way?

Thanks in advance.

Books/Films
 

The relatively recent posts on Argentine history has got me thinking about that periennial question: what best to read/view in preparation for a trip to Argentina.

Just a note: I've read Ernesto Sabato (On Heroes & Tombs) and some Borges...And, I've watched Nine Queens.

What else would people suggest out there for a true sense of place/and overview of history?

gracias.

Gaucho, thanks for the information. I have e-mailed the Park Tower, and they forwarded the request to a travel agency that is actually on the property. Hopefully, they can help with rates, booking, etc.

I've also asked them to clarify schedules for the Tren de las Nubes. Various guide books are giving inconsistent information relating to when and how often it runs. Apparently, it only runs once a week in November. I'm trying to find out what day that is.

Also, how crazy would it be to simply rent a car in BA and drive to Salta/Cafayate?

vandykes, thanks for the response. Depending on what I hear back from the Park Tower travel agency, I may be taking you up on the PM offer.

My father in law insisted on having his picture taken a few times in the lobby of the Hilton just because the film was shot there! :)

EZE October 21 - 28
 

Hi Flyers. I'm ATL heading for GIG 10/17 and then on to EZE 10/21 (second time both places) and this is a great thread to look for ideas. I'll be staying at the Puerto Madero Sofitel because I like their Junior Suites at a good price. It's a cab ride to Recoleta, but that's OK.

Last time there I worked more than I played, but this time I'll have the weekend to be a tourist, so I will be reading this thread carefully for ideas. So, aside from bringing a picnic to Nuestro Senora de Pilar and having lunch with Eva Peron, I'll be looking for ideas.