Mayday! In Buenos Aires
 

What's the usual atmosphere on May Day? Promenades in the park and peaceful gatherings? Not-so-peaceful gatherings? Is just about everything shut down? We had thought it might be a good day to visit Colonia, but can't find a Busquebus ferry going May 1. Comments on and suggestions for May 1 most welcome! We (dos Norte Americanos) will be staying in Puerto Madero.

Should be "norteamericanos." That's what I get for trying my rusty Spanish.

Topping this for AVRooster who lives there and should be able to answer :)

I've been told that shops and mall will be closed. I also believe that tango shows are open. That's all I could find out.

They just haven't put up the May schedule yet on the Buquebus site - you can't pull up a schedule for the 2nd or 3rd or... it's just too far in advance for the lifestyle here!

Thanks, Saltshaker and others. Maybe it's too early to be asking about May 1 anyway! Might re-post nearer the time.

I'll answer about the Buquebus tomorrow, parkhill24.

"Promenades in the park" is a good idea.

All shopping should be closed.

Good day for an "estancia". Checking those. Do you enjoy riding?

Avrooster, we mostly enjoy walking and exploring in cities. As Texans, ranches are normally not an attraction for us, though I realize Argentina's will be different. We will be interested in your Buquebus report, and on any comment about what portenos do on May Day -- where to go as tourists, and perhaps what to avoid.

M'Aidez! in BA!

Buquebus says they DO operate on May 1, so one thing you could do on that date is go to Colonia for the day.

However, they have not published their schedule for that day, yet.

Take a look at

http://www.buquebus.com/cache/HorariosARG.html

every once in a while. Maybe by early April they'll have a timetable for May. Take the fast boat, obviously.

May 1 is a strange day in Argentina, because many of the places locals would go to on a holiday are closed. One example is clubs.

So, if you don't want an "estancia" and you decide against Colonia, one thing you could do is walk along our Avenida Libertador up to Palermo and its "Rosedal" (rose garden). If the weather is good, it should be full of locals.

Observe normal precautions, like in any large town and have a great time in our country.

Labour's day is one of the most respected holidays in Argentina in the sense that many things are not available, but...there's public transport working with a special timetable, many bars and restaruants will be open and so shops. No museums.
And if you want to take a city tour I know Eternautas does work on any holiday

www.eternautas.com

All the best...

We are comming to BA May 1. I hope we will be able to take a cab from the airport to Recoleta. I have a russian background and remember streets closing for May Day parades.