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Everything the visitor should know before coming to Buenos Aires.
- Buenos Aires in brief
- What is the weather like?
- What are the main means of transport?
- How much does transport cost?
- What are the gastronomic options in Buenos Aires?
- How much should I expect to spend at restaurants?
- Cultural events
- Main commercial areas
- Banking hours
- Tourist season
- How do I get t information about other inland tourist destinations?
- Safety
1. Buenos Aires in Brief
The city of Buenos Aires was founded in 1536 by the Spanish Don Pedro de Mendoza, and, for the second time, on the 11th of June 1580, by Juan de Garay. It is located around the Rio Plata and occupies more than 200 square kilometers. In the 19th. century, the port was the arrival point for the great migratory wave promoted by the Argentine State to populate the nation. Spanish, Italian, Syrian-Lebanese, Polish and Russian immigrants provided Buenos Aires with the cultural eclecticism that is so characteristic of the city.
It is one of the most important cities in Latin America, a cosmopolitan and multi-faceted city, with evidence of universal influences, attracting an astonishing number of tourists.
Its architecture is European, with many of its streets reminiscent of Paris.
In Buenos Aires you can find numerous museums, exhibitions, conferences, art galleries, cinemas, theaters and shows, both national and international, and at the highest level. Its commercial activity is intense, reflected in the numerous world brands available, the galleries, and shopping centers.
The night life is vary varied, and extends into the early hours of the morning.
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2. What is the weather like?
The climate of Buenos Aires is mild all year round. The mean annual temperature is 18º C (64.4º F), making extremely hot and cold days very infrequent. Thus, visitors can enjoy walking around the city in any season.
July is the coldest month. Although frosts are rare, a woollen coat, a jacket or an overcoat and a scarf will be required when going out. In winter, the temperature is moderate during the day, but considerably drops at night.
In summer, the weather is hot and humid. Mornings are warm and during midday and the first hours of the afternoon, the temperature rises. At night, the temperature goes down slightly, so people can wear light clothes; coats are not needed.
Rain is more frequent in autumn and spring (from March to June and from September to December, respectively). Showers are mild or last a short time, activities are not hampered and people usually go out with an umbrella or a raincoat.
In the sunny days of autumn and spring, mornings are slightly cold; the temperature rises at midday and drops again at night.
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3. What are the main means of transport?
The city is well connected by an extensive bus network, known as “colectivos” with more than 180 lines, and integrated with the underground network. As taxis are not expensive, they are a good & quick option for moving around the city. The five underground lines are centralized in ‘Downtown’, near the tourist area and hotels. The service runs from Monday to Saturday from 6.00 to 23.00 and on Sundays from 8.00 to 22.00. Each ticket allows the passenger to go to any destination in the network and its connections. See here for a map: http://mapas.metrovias.com.ar/subte/metronet/recorrido.asp
However, as the bus network is so developed, goes to all districts in the city and works 24 hs, it is a favorite. A rented car can also be a good option for those wanting more independence.
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4. How much does transport cost?
Buses: $ 0,75 - $ 0,80
Underground: $ 0,70 cents (any destination)
Taxi: Initial rate $ 1,60 plus $ 0,14 every 200 meters.
Trains: $ 0,45 (minimum rate)
Remise (Ezeiza Airport to City Center): $ 35
Minibus (Ezeiza Airport to City Center): $ 17
Daily car rental: starting from $ 75
Petrol liter: $ 1.80- $ 2
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5. What are the gastronomic options?
Even though Argentina is internationally well known for meat, there are also a wide variety of Spanish and Italian dishes and another 57 ethnic food types to choose from, including Japanese, French, Nordic, Mexican, Chinese, Arabian, Turkish & Armenian. The wines are of excellent quality, particularly those that come from Mendoza, where the best champagne is also produced.
The city of Buenos Aires holds more than 3,500 places to eat, ranging from the most sophisticated traditional and ethnic restaurants to bars, pubs and international chains of fast food restaurants. The prices range from $ 8 up to $ 500. At noon, many downtown restaurants offer the inexpensive "Menu ejecutivo".
In Buenos Aires, people usually have dinner after 10 pm, and some restaurants are open until dawn. While in Paris, New York or London restaurants are crowded at about 8:30 pm, this generally happens in Buenos Aires after 11 pm.
Most of them, are open every day, for lunch and dinner, although on Mondays, they may be closed and it is better to call in advance.
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6. How much should I expect to spend at restaurants?
Pizza between $5 & $20
Pastas between $6 & $10
Barbecue from $ 8
Empanadas from $ 0,80 to $ 1,10 each.
Icecreams from $ 2
All inclusive $ 8
Breakfast between $4 & $6
Coffee in Recoleta from $ 2 to $ 3,50
Food at restaurants from $ 7 to $ 15
Dinner per person: from $ 15
Puerto Madero Area (noon) from $ 12 y $ 20
Palermo Viejo (noon - dinner) from $ 15 y $ 40
Menúes ejecutivos (lunchtime only from Monday to Friday): from $ 10 to $ 15
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7. Cultural offer.
The City of Buenos Aires is the cultural capital of South America and one of the most important and dynamic business sites in the region. Currently, it is the venue for more than 400 national and international congresses and conventions and around 130 annual exhibitions, in which 16,000 companies participate.
The most important events include the Tango Festival, the World Tango Championship, the ATP Tour (international tennis circuit), the Book Fair, the Independent Film Festival, the Livestock Exposition, the Polo Open Tournament, the International Tourism Fair for Latin America (FIT), ArteBa and the Colón Theater opera season, one of the most celebrated in the world.
There are a wide variety of shows, musical theater and films to see. Most theaters are located in downtown, specially along Av. Corrientes. The Colon Theather is well known for its ballet performances, opera & lyric exhibitions.
In Spring and Summer, Buenos Aires offers many open air shows & concerts. However, the Tango is the characteristic music of this city, and every night, the tango saloons, or "Tanguerías" have live groups and shows.
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8. Main commercial areas
Commercial area:
Haut Couture: Av. Alvear & Arroyo. Av. Alvear,
Antique shops: Defensa St. From Av. Independencia to Av. San Juan.
Home ware, watches, gold: Libertad St. From Rivadavia to Plaza Lavalle.
Regional Handicrafts: Retiro neighbourhood. Viamonte, Suipacha, M.T. de Alvear y L. Alem.
Leather Jackets: Chacarita Neighbourhood. Av. Forest No. 400 / 500.
Books & Music: Av. Corrientes. From Av. Callao to Leandro N. Alem.
Fashion: Belgrano neighbourhood. Av. Cabildo. From Virrey del Pino to Blanco Encalada.
Inexpensive fashion and leather: Once Area. btw/ Rivadavia, Pueyrredón, Tucumán & Callao.
High quality fashion, jewelry and leather: Retiro Area. Paraguay from Florida to Suipacha & L.Alem from Lavalle to Córdoba. City Center. Florida St. from Av. de Mayo to Plaza San Martín.
Shopping Malls:
Abasto: Corrientes 33247 (Balvanera) Open hours: every day 10 to 22)
Alto Palermo: Arenales 3360. Open hours: every day (10 to 22).
Buenos Aires Design Recoleta: Av. Pueyrredón 2501 (M a Sat. -10 to 21. Sunday & Holidays 12 to 21. Terrace with restaurantes.
Caballito Shopping Center: Av. Rivadavia 5108 (every day 10 to 22).
Easy Home Center: Av. Bullrich 345 y Cerviño. (every day 8.30 to 22).
Galerías Pacífico: Florida y Av. Córdoba (M to Sat 10 a 21. Sundays12.00 to 21.)
Paseo Alcorta: Jerónimo Salguero 3172 (every day 10 to 22)
Paseo La Plaza: Av. Corrientes 1660 (Mon to Thursday and Sunday 10 to 20. Fridays and Saturdays 10 to 4.)
Patio Bullrich: Av. del Libertador 750 y Posadas 1245 (every day 10 to 21.)
Solar de la Abadía: Luis María Campos 900
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9. Banking hours
Banks open at 10 am and close at 3 pm (some banks extend their closing time to 4 pm). Cash extractions and other transactions may be made in ATMs, 24 hours a day.
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10. Tourist season
You can visit the city all the year round. January (summer) is the most tranquil month since many residents are on vacation, but the cultural offer is still abundant and varied.
If you stay for several days, you can combine city tours with visits to places around the city such as the Delta (of the Paraná river), estancias (ranch houses), or Martín García island.
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11. How do I get information about other inland tourist destinations?
There are three National Tourist Information Centers:
Av. Santa Fe 883 P.B. Tel.: (54-11) 4312-2232/5550 ó 0800-55-50016,at Jorge Newbery Airport & "Ministro Pistarini" (Ezeiza) International Airport. You can also visti the "Secretaria de Turismo" website for more information http://www.turismo.gov.ar/
Information source: http://www.buenosaires.gov.ar
12. Safety
Buenos Aires is a safe city, but as in any other big city in the world, the tourist should take some precautions. For example, avoid leaving your purse or bag hanging from chairs in public places, as well as walking at night along poorly lit areas.
There is a police station available to receive any formal complaints from tourists in case of offenses, thefts, losses etc. English, Italian, French, Portugese, Ukrainian and Japanese are all spoken.
Address: Avenida Corrientes 436
telephone: 0800 999 5000 / 4346 5748
mail: turista@policiafederal.gov.ar
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Information source: http://www.buenosaires.gov.ar
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