Good tip on the noise. I was recently apartment shopping down there and it is a concern. You should ask if the unit is "contrafrente" (not facing the street) or at a minimum, if the bedrooms aren't facing the street. However, some "frente" units, if they are high enough, or have double-paned windows, aren't bad.

Apartment Options
 

You might want to check the apartments at http://www.apartmentsinba.com/. The units are managed by an American guy that I know and trust. He's able to take a deposit using a credit card which is unusual. He also understands that it's better to rent at a discount than to leave the unit vacant.

The Ugarteche flat is in a very good area, just off the Libertador. Here is a handy link for finding locations in BA. http://www.mapabsas.com/ Just remember the street name goes first then the number. I have never heard of that agency, so cannot help you there.

Sam

If you have a noise issue in a pad.... next thing to verify after the window configuration is the Air Conditioning issue.... no use to have windows closed if you cant get any air recirculation. Most places with double-pane windows should have AC, but its always a good thing to double-check.

I have lived most of my life in Ugarteche y Juncal, and my mom still lived there until recently (she's moved not far to a smaller flat since then), so I know the area quite well. It's very nice indeed, there's a few good restaurants around, and with a short walk to Las Heras you have plenty of transportation.
Ugarteche is not a very busy street, so noise shouldn't be an issue if you're in a high floor.

Super informative thread. Thank you all.

1.00 USD = 3.28126 ARS

This is starting to help. Although who knows where it will level off, it probably has another 10 to 20% to go to reflect the relative recent inflation and spending power as between the 2 currencies. But plenty of other factors go into the mix. The strong South American currencies have taken precipitous dumps in the past month as against the US$, but the ARS hasn't.

It was bound to get to 3.2 fairly quickly after Xtina announed that her upcoming budget was predicated on an average of 3.2. However the BCRA (Central Bank) announced at the same time the target was to hold at 3.1 (this was two weeks ago).

There is continuing strong pressure from the Argentine industrial sector to have the exchange rate increase to at least 3.5.

It seems that many people wanted to believe Xtina's continual mantra that the peso was being held in an undervalued state to help commodity export profits, and the real value was more like 2.0 (this in spite of a couple of years of 30% real inflation ....).

John

Please note that the above quote is for the financial market FX market trades.... what I mean by this is that 1 USD cash presented by a tourist would have fetched you between 3.18 to 3.20 pesos depending on where you chose to take your business. And probably 2.95 pesos if you took it to the Global Exchange Crooks....

As for the future outlook of the exchange rate.... while there still may be a little room for additional devaluation, it seems unlikely that the Peso will break 3.25 - 3.30 to the Dollar, since this would fuel inflation pressures and considering that next year will see mid-term elections (the Argentine legislature is up for a partial renovation). Of course, given how crazy the world financial markets have been these past weeks, anything could happen... but for the moment I will stick to my forecast.

Peso Devaluation
 

Be prepared, as the brazilean real devalued from R$1.55 to R$2.30 (to a USD) in no time; we are expecting to get at least to ARS3.40 per dollar if not $3.5.

Yes... local papers today are writing that the goverment is looking at a float between 3.35 - 3.45 pesos per USD, so maybe there is a little more room for upside this week.

Stumbled upon this thread as am interested in taking an overnight bus from Buenos Aires to Iguazzu in June because not only will it be cheaper than flying but it also saves the cost of one hotel night.

The questions: how roomy are the coaches? Like business class on planes with almost lie-flat seats? Are there lots of stops? And how safe are these services? Will I have to worry about pickpockets if I fall asleep? Should I have tickets bought in advance?

I appreciate the input. :)

Buenos Aires to Iguazu by coach is a journey of between 17 and 20 hours depending on how many intermediate stops the bus makes. There are various classes of seat:

Semi-cama (half-bed) - don't even think about it for such a long journey. Think economy class seat on an airplane :td:

Cama (bed) - a much roomier seat with excellent recline. Configuration is 3 across - 2 on one side of the bus and a solo seat on the other which is great if you are travelling alone. Similar to a lot of the old generation business class seats. You probably get about 140 degrees of recline and I have slept very well in these seats before

Cama suite - top of the range ticket but I have no personal experience so not sure what the difference is between this and cama. Maybe someone else on here can help with this.

As for safety, I have never had anything stolen during one of the long distance journeys but you obviously need to take sensible precautions. Beware of pickpockets at Retiro bus station - it is notorious. You can check luggage which goes below (you will get a receipt for it which you will need to collect it in Iguazu) and take hand luggage on board. I always put my bag down with me rather than on the overhead racks. Whenever you get off the bus for a leg stretch/meal stop always take EVERYTHING with you.

The other aspect of safety is road safety of course. Driving standards in Argentina aren't the best in the world and you do see some crazy overtaking etc. Pick a reputable company and you can be fairly certain that the bus will be roadworthy and the drivers will be up to the job. It's just the other idiots on the road to worry about.

As for ticket purchases, there's no need to buy them too far in advance. A lot of people just buy them on the day. If you're going to be in Buenos Aires a few days before, you can pop down to the bus station in Retiro when you're here and get them then. June is not a peak travel time so you'll have plenty of options. Andesmar is the only company I can personally recommend (they have a daily service leaving around 11pm, arriving into Iguazu around 5pm the next day) but I'm sure there are other companies offering an equally good product.

Hope this helps and I'm sure others on here will be able to provide other insights.

This link will give you some idea of your options and rough prices although expect to pay more by June:

http://www.omnilineas.com/argentina/...puerto-iguazu/

It did help and thank you.

A little more research found one company, Crucero del Norte, with an English website and a very good picture with description of the various seat options. Well, English until you go to create a booking anyway. Cama suite looks positively luxurious for what works out to be around CAD$80 OW from Buenos Aires to Iguassu. I'm travelling light with just a medium duffel bag so will have it aboard with me. I may use this company to travel south Iguassu to Cordoba before heading back to Buenos Aires and end of my trip.

Crucero del Norte is a very good choice... they are a reputable bus company. My mother in law refuses to fly and uses Crucero del Norte to go visit relatives in Posadas Misiones... I usually have to take her to Retiro and the buses that I see from this company are always very new and very well kept, their premium Cama Service have very nice and large seats.