PARIS vs BUENOS AIRES
 

OK all, I've heard many people and travel articles describe Buenos Aires as the Latin American "Paris". So, is there any truth to this!!! We are going to BA late October(2 weeks) and I have done a lot of research as usual. All the photos I have seen and "It's know Paris" So what's your opinion? I have been told the food, shopping and nightlife is great and the $ exchange is for sure in our favor. Could you please give us any advice or comparisons and anything else that may be helpful that could add to our trip. Thank you

I haven't been to BA, but to me, there is only one Paris-the one in France.

I have been to BsAs and enjoyed it very much but as francophile says there is only one Paris.

I hope you have a great time. The dollar is strong in Argentina and it is a pretty city with a lot of good restaurants.

I don't plan to return to BsAs but can hardly wait to return to Paris.

This photo article caught my eye,
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/302110/index.html

We have been to both BA and Paris -- the comparison is mostly cosmetic based on architecture and not on ambience.

You might want to check out a place near BA's center called Patios Bullrich. Once, it was the site of the central stockyards slaughterhouse. Now it is a collection of extemely high-end boutiques.

Sort of like New Haven is to the Broadway stage, Patios Bullrich is where "Paris" fashions are given a tryout before taking center stage in Paris the following season. If they don't cut it in BA, the fashions don't make it to Paris without a lot of changes.

Costwise, BA is very cheap compared with Paris. Great steaks, interesting out-of-town excursions, a few grand vistas and boulevards. A vigorous Italian influence in many aspects of daily life. But a dangerous place to wander after dark if you don't know the territory. In short, BA ain't no Paris, no matter how you cut it.

Hi, I have been many times in both cities. Of course how can it be like Paris,? ...but there is more to Bs As than fashion, shopping, eating,.....it is a city with an active cultural life. If you do not believe me buy the newspaper La Nacion and look into the list of theaters, concerts, operas, conferences, fairs and the like any given week, except in Summer, it will be a long, long list, I venture to say longer than the one in Rome for instance,
Buenos Aires also has an elaborated Tango life, with shows, classes, cafes where you can dance tangos etc. THis is authentic and fun.
Also it has a very active sport life, soccer, they are fanatics , tennis, golf, basquetball, yatching , boxing and of course "polo" they have been the world best for ages.
Actually they are pretty good and many sports.
I hope you have a good time, Scottstig , providing you take the phrase as the Latin American Paris for what it is worth ....Buena suerte.

We've been to both and like everyone else has been saying...there's no other city quite like Paris. But Buenos Aires is much more cosmopolitan and has much more beautiful architecture than we expected. There are some really wonderful neighborhoods like Recoleta and as I said, much of the architecture is ornate and beautiful, lots of outdoor cafes, lots of nightlife, hence the comparison.
If you're interested you can check out some of our photos at:
web.mac.com/drizzle
And here's a link to our trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...=luv2globetrot

If you like large cosmopolitan cities, you WILL love Buenos Aires...so much character, color, flavor...we loved it!! Have a great trip!

Happy, safe travels:)

Scott:

I don't think we, as tavelers, should get down to comparing one city to another. It's an exercise in meaningless futility. Why don't you just go and enjoy the hell out of BA...just as any of us enjoy wherever we go. Redeeeming features of any city in the world are worth considering. The excitement of being in South America, in a city where you've never been...different culture, foods, wines, people sights, transportation, architecture...wow! Ain't that enough to turn on any true traveler?? How lucky we all are to be able to travel periodically and taste the differences....for what it's worth, we have throughly enjoyed our times in South America and found BA to be an intriguing metropolis...you'll find the same....

Enjoy every minute...and tango til dawn! Be sure to catch the street tango-ing on Sunday Afternoons in the San Telmo neighborhod...fascinating, colorful!

BA is the Latin American Buenos Aires!
Paris is the European Paris!

Stu T.

Thank you all very much for your insight on BA. I have been to Paris many times and always long for our next return. We have been wanting to go to BA for some time, but with the season being the opposite it's been difficult to fit into our travel schedule. Looking forward to our trip! and to all, I do know there is and will only be one Paris!!!!!!!! The problem is I always find myself comparing every destination with Paris. Hate to say nothing ever lives up to it. Accept home here in Scottsdale. Where I call home. Thanks again

See http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34857933

Best wishes,

Rex

Buenos Aires is not like Paris, just like New York City is not like Philadelphia; you are comparing apples and oranges.

There is nothing wrong with BA. It is a great city with friendly people, good steak and wine, fantastic museums, vibrant nightlife, and best of all, it is DIRT CHEAP if you are an American.

Give it a try.

Hello, Graziella. How is Cintia Stella?

Christine,
Handmaiden of Thingorjus

Dear Rex,
Thank you for the great thread! I'm getting a lot more excited.
Sincerely,
Scott

You're welcome. With modest regret, I hqve to report that we did not jump on that LAN deal to BsAs.

But one door closes, another one opens. Other travel plans a'cookin...

I've been to both (Paris several times) and I don't get the comparison. I loved BA, it does have a european feel to it, it reminded me a bit of Barcelona in atmosphere.

One word of warning - don't leave your shoe shopping until the last day and then find out the shops are all closed because it is sunday - i learned the hard way

Two friends of mine went to Carnivale in Rio de Janiero and Buenos Aires in February or March this year and thought Rio was ok but love BA. Neither suggested it was like Paris but they loved it anyway.