Have trip to BA in mid-December for 8 days. First time in Argentina. We are considering an overnight stay in MVD using the R/T Buquebus ferry. Have trouble with their site on costs. Can anyone provide the R/T ferry cost between BA and MVD using non-hydro ferry? Are advance reservations required? More importantly, is the trip worth the cost and time spent to visit MVD given the time we have in BA? We are going to MVD "because its there" as a travel destination. Your experiences and recommendations appreciated. Thanks.

Richard - I just got off a Buquebus boat from Colonia to BA about 9 hours ago, and I believe that only fast boats travel from BA to MVD - it is about a 3 hour trip. I didn't pay attention to prices, but it would not be real cheap trip. R/T to Colonia: (1 hr on fast boat was about $55 US per person. 3 hr. on slow boat was about $35 US). I assume you want slow boat to save $$$$ (????)

To your larger question - I think in an 8 day stay, you should get out of the city. Many visitors are flying off to Iguazu or Bariloche, or a couple of other places. Making the assumption you do not want to do that, there are places I would reccommend before MVD. Not that MVD is not nice, but because it would be too similar an experience. BA is a big, big, city - MVD is a small big city. I think a vaiety is better.

We spent 2 days/1 night in Colonia - which I would rec. as a day trip or overnight (if you want to slow down). We also went on a day trip to Tigre, which can be a day trip or overnight trip if you really want to slow down (stay in a hotel in the Delta if you are looking purely to relax for a day).

Another day or overnight trip could be to an Estancia (a bit pricey for overnight). I am currently deciding where to go today for a day trip for TODAY - Lujan or San Antonio de Areco. Both are small towns: Lujan featuring a church and (according to my guidebook) an excellent museum complex. SA is a small tradtional quiet town near many Estancias - the town itself it suppose to reflect "Gaucho culture" ( shopping, a couple of museums, restaurants). If going for the day, Lujan has the advantage of being a bit closer - 75 min. vs. 2 hours on the bus.

See my posting (click on my name to find it) to see more details of my trip if you want).

Thanks to you who have responded. Although I travel quite a bit, this is my first time using the Fodor site. I, for one, appreciate all the useful feedback in these posts and appreciate those who take the time to share their experiences. As a result, its helped me shape our trip to BA and to optimize our time utilization while there, eg,have decided to forego MVD for a day trip to Colonia. Thanks again for your interest and assistance.

Having 8 days in Buenos Aires,i would try to do as much as possible, i wouldnt stay anywhere overnight as it is pricey and will take up more time that you dont have.


think a day trip to Colonia is enough and i would spend more money on a fast ferry.

Day in a estancia for the famous gaucho party or for the country day is OK and you dont need to spend the night there to enjoy it.

Going to the delta for a full day is a must, lunch and the catamaran ride is sth everybody likes.


The city tour and cultural tours and shopping tours will take 2 days complete. The colon Opera House is showing Nutcrackers Tschaikovsky. Nobody can miss this. A tango show for the other night.

1.- 2 nights at iguazu
2.- 2 nights at the lake district. Very limited but only chance.



So you still have time for a side trip.