fishskis

I am supposed to go to Paris in a couple of weeks, but I am seriously considering changing my plans and going to Buenos Aires instead. I have been to Paris many times, and I love it, but I have never been to Buenos Aires (I have had to cancel three previously planned trips due to business). I would appreciate some help with a few questions...

I am planning on spending five or six days in Buenos Aires, and I am considering a two or three day side trip. (Additionally, I am tentatively planning a stopover in Santiago as well for two or three days). For my side trip I am considering Iguazu Falls, or the Four Seasons Carmelo in Uruguay. Any comments or other suggestions for a side trip?

I am planning on staying in a boutique hotel in the Palermo area. Tailor Made looks great to me, but it is in Las Canitas; is this a good location? Does anyone have any experience with this hotel? Any other hotels in Palermo recommended? I am also considering splitting my stay, staying a couple of nights in a different hotel in a different neighborhood, perhaps in Recoleta or perhaps Faena Hotel?

I am still figuring out my dates, but the trip would be right around the beginning of May; is this a good time to go?

Does anybody know if there are soccer games around this time of year, and if so, are tickets easy to come by?

I am really a blank slate right now, any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

WillTravel

Iguazu is a natural winner, flying from Buenos Aires, and staying at the Sheraton. Even though I did not consider myself a nature person, that experience continues to stick in my mind. I had three nights for that, and did a daytrip to Brazil.

If I had a short stay in Buenos Aires, I'd consider getting a hotel near to this club in Recoleta, which I really enjoyed visiting twice.
http://www.clasicaymoderna.com/
Of course, taxis are easy and cheap, so it's not a big deal, but the neighborhood of the club is great too.

What I've heard about soccer games is that you should not get a ticket in the stands, as it can get quite crazy, but in some VIP area. However, given I had no interest, I did not pursue that.

I'd say go for the new experience, as South America is just a very interesting place to visit.

owlwoman

For the side trip, definitely Iguazu Falls, have been to both, while the Four Seasons in Uruguay is very lovely, you could be anywhere. Iguazu is amazing if you're into nature, hiking, etc., the falls are really something!

Have not stayed at the Faena, but it gets great reviews, another high end place to consider is the Park Hyatt in Recoleta, or the Alvear. We stayed at the Hyatt on points, it's also quite nice.

We've been to Paris and BA, and enjoyed AR so much, we've been there 3 times now.

not_enuf_vaca

LOVED LOVED LOVED BA!

You could spend 6 days all in BA and still have a great time...but Iguazu is AWESOME. I dont see the point in spending money for the Sheraton - yes it is in the park, but the park is only a short cab ride away. We stayed at Los Troncos and loved it.

yestravel

I love Paris and I love BA. I think for your first trip to BA Las Canitas is not the most central location. Tailor Made is a very nice hotel -- we looked at it on our last trip. Also spoke to people who stayed there and they loved it. But I would suggest closer in in Palmero or in Recoleta depending upon your style. Tons of nice boutique hotels in Palemro, check out TA for reveiws. Because BA is so huge we have enjoyed staying in different locations on the same trip. We start out in one area, travel eslewhere and come back to BA and stay somewhere else. I like having he variety of the different neighborhoods.
IF is spectacular and not to be missed. We got a great rate and stayed at the Sheraton and it was nice to be able to duck back into our room to cool off or rest.

MarnieWDC

Hello Fishskis:

I vote for a side-trip to Iguazzu also - and suggest Lan Airlines and two nights at the Sheraton with a 1/2 - 1 day trip to the Brazillian side of the Falls. This is a remarkable site - one that you will never forget (I have been to Niagra and Victoria Falls; Iguazzu/Iguassu is by far the more spectacular).

If you are willing to pay for the higher-end hotels, the Sofitel has also been highly recommended. Personally, I would choose the Alvear - as a fellow lover of Paris, I think you will really like Recoleta. And if you want to have 2 hotels, a Boutique hotel in Palerma would provide a lovely, charming contrast.

But do bear in mind that while BsAs is not a small city, the principle areas you will want to visit on this, your first trip, will be easily accessible by Taxi, on foot or even by Metro from either Recoleta or Palermo or even Puerto Madero (but P.M. is much less charming, IMO)

We visit in January and February every year, but I think early May is autumnal and lovely (please correct me Porteños, if not so).

I wish you a very enjoyable (FIRST) visit to Buenos Aires,

~MarnieWDC

fishskis

Thank you everyone for your replies. I am still juggling my dates; I think I am booking air tomorrow hopefully. I like the idea of splitting up the hotels in BA; I have done this before, and I really enjoy experiencing different hotels in different parts of a city.

Regarding Iguazu, what is the best way to book it? Should I wait until I am in BA, and deal with it then? Or should I book now? Does anyone know of a BA travel agent or tour company that would be able to arrange it for me?

Thank you.

WillTravel

It was very easy for me to book.
I booked the Sheraton with points.
I booked a LAN flight one way, because it was cheapest, and an Aerolineas Argentinas flight the other way because it was cheapest.
I made a reservation for the full moon walk (extremely good if you have a full moon during your stay) with Macucu Tours by email, and paid at the Sheraton.
I took an official taxi from the airport, and had the hotel arrange one on the way back.
I got my Brazilian visa before I left.
All very easy.

MarnieWDC

WillTravel has good advice. We reserved on Lan by Internet before we left home - the Sheraton should be done that way as well as you are not in the country too long. Iguazzu does not require a guide as the walks and train are totally well- marked and easily accessible. The tours (boat trip under the Falls, Joungle Tour etc.) can be arranged at the Sheraton.

I would add that the Taxi drivers to and from the airport and everywhere else, including to the Brazillian side, were excellent - without the cautions you would take in BsAs. Just negotiate a price if you use a Taxi to the B side. If you prefer to be less independant, you could arrange for a guide.

Have a great trip,
~Marnie

yestravel

I agree with Marnie and Will that you should be able to do all this yourself on the internet. If u want someone to work with Isabel in BA is spoken of very highly. We worked with her a bit on our last trip, but ended up doing it ourselves. We found her to be easy to work with and very responsive, but we could get better prices on some things, so that's why we just did everything thru the internet. If u do a search on her name here, u should come up with contact info for her as well as many rave reviews about her.

fishskis

Thank you everyone for the help!

I just booked my air. After a two (and a half) day stop in Santiago, I will be heading to BA for a total of 8 nights. My current plan is to do one night, but two days, in Iguazu (leaving early morning, coming back early evening the next day). I still have room for another one or two day excursion from BA; but I think I'll play it by ear.

Right now I am booked at the Sheraton, which apparently is not great, but has an incredible location. The Iguazu Grand looks nicer, and is about $100 less per night; any thoughts? It would seem to me that a falls view room at The Sheraton is the way to go, especially for just one night.

I am planning on staying at The Tailor Made in Las Canitas for the first three days, but still considering the Sofitel for a few days after Iguazu (or even possibly for the first few days), or a different hotel in Palermo, or possibly Faena, though I have heard mixed things, and it is considerably more pricey than other seemingly great options in Palermo.

Thanks again for the help, and I welcome any other comments or general suggestions about how best to spend time in BA.

kbc11

We were in BA last week and managed to catch a soccer match at the River Plate stadium. While there are quite a few agencies that sell packages to games for about $90 US(includes pick up from hotel and guide to accompany you to game), it is easily done on your own at a fraction of the agency cost.

We took a taxi out to the stadium a half hour before game time and purchased tickets at one of the ticket windows. We had the option of buying seats at varying prices and chose the cheapest ones at $30 AR (less than $10 US). We avoided sitting immediately behind the goal as this is where the rowdy .....or rather "avid" fans sit...or stand/dance/sing. The game itself was rather boring (I'm not a soccer fan); the highlight was watching the enthusiasm of the fans behind the goal. I've never seen anything like it. It was really enjoyable to feed off their energy.

My husband would have liked to attend a Boca Jr. game, but I understand that tickets to these games are rather hard to come by.

We were also told to avoid some of the other stadiums as they are in rather dodgy neighbourhoods. The area around the River Plate stadium was fine. Plenty of police in the area ensuring that fans don't get too out of control.

We left the game early in order to find a cab before the mad rush. I understand that if you wait until the end of the game, authorities "lock down" the stadium and don't let any of the home team fans leave until all the visiting team fans (who sit in a caged off area at the other end of the stadium) depart and are safely on their buses.

I really think that those agencies who offer packages to games are a rip off. They say that the guide who accompanies you also helps to explain some of the songs the fans are singing. We saw a group of tourists come into our section accompanied by a "guide" who sat off to the side with a bunch of locals the entire game. I never saw him interact with the tour group at all.


On another note, we too stayed at the Sheraton in Iguazu and thoroughly enjoyed it (breakfast is wonderful). Like you, we were only in the park for one night, and felt it would be beneficial to be close to the falls. We didn't regret our decision as it was nice to come back to the hotel after getting soaked on the boat ride to have a shower and change our clothes. We had already checkout out of our room but the hotel stored our bags and allowed us to use the facilities in the spa/pool area all afternoon until we left for the airport.

Enjoy.

yestravel

Staying at the Sheraton at the Falls is really convenient--the view of course is very nice, but 4 us it was the ease of getting to and from the Falls. I don't know what the weather will be like in May, but it was steaming when we were there in Dec time frame. It was so nice to be able to take a swim in the pool or go up to the room and cool off. We got up had breakfast and hit the falls as soon as it opened and didnt have any crowds for an hour or so. The room itself was a standard chain hotel room, but I thought they had renovated and rooms were nicer now? Anyway I say stay at the Sheraton for the location and not having to go back and forth to your hotel.
Have not stayed there but thought the Hyatt was supposed to be a really nice hotel in BA.

owlwoman

Another vote for the Sheraton at Iguazu, you can't beat the location and for one night, it's totally worth it. Plus, it's nice to see the place after all the day trippers leave.

We went over to the Grand for dinner/gambling one night, it's very nice and if you were staying longer I'd say go ahead and book it, but since your time is limited, stay in the park.

gshah18

For a boutique hotel in Palermo, I highly highly recommend Home hotel. We stayed there for a month last October. All staff knew us by name, we knew all staff by name, friendly, comfortable, best bartender and drinks in all of BA, reasonably priced, and good location.

Buenos Aires is a fun city with a lot to do and experience. It is not a beautiful city with a lot to see. Spend your time visiting neighborhoods, eating, watching music, etc.

Day trips to consider are to Colonia or San Antonio de Areco.

SusanInToronto

There are a couple of 'free' walking tours that we took. The idea is that you tip the guide whatever you feel is reasonable. We thought that they were great. One started at 11 AM, the other at 5 PM, and they are different neighbourhoods. If you google Buenos Aires free tours, you'll find them. I think I preferred the morning one just because there were fewer people, but both of them were very good. It seemed a painless way to see some of the sights

kodi

HI Marnie! Good to 'see' you.
Fishskis, I also recommend staying at the Sheraton in Iguazzu Falls. I agree with others.. the falls are amazing.
We did exactly what you are doing. We flew there in the morning and returned the next day on a late flight.
I did think it was enough time, although we didn't go to the Brazil side.

I like your idea of staying in 2 different areas of the city. I did that. I stayed in Palermo, then moved to Recoleta, and enjoyed both.

cm134552

Envious I am. I love BA even though have only been there twice. Once in 1977, during the 'troubled' years (I was in BA then for two months) and in Dec'2004 (for 10 days). If you love beef, this is the place to be, IMHO.

Time permitting, do a walk around La Recoleta Cemetery http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Recoleta_Cemetery. Eva Peron, amongst others, is interred there.

A worthwhile day trip from BA to consider would be down the River Plate to Montevideo, Uruguay via a Buquebus ferry/bus tour. http://www.buquebus.com/cache/HomeENG.html