Have a ticket - so excited - off to BA 1 Nov. Now I have to decide between my shortlist of (budget) hotels. It's either the Castellar on Av del Mayo or the Ayachucho Palace in Recoleta. I'm not too bothered by the standard of these places - both have en suites/ac/etc. Just wondered which area you would choose? I wiil do a lot of sightseeing by bus - so the real Q is - which is the more easy neighbourhood to be in? I'm thinking after dark - eating out etc - for a middle aged women (plenty of other adventures - Africa, China, etc) travelling alone?<BR><BR>Thank you.<BR>

Dear Jane,<BR><BR>If you are interested in flats in Recoleta, we have excellent options at $ 20 o $25 a day. You can enjoy your own kitchen and living room!! Check www.apartmentsbuenosaires.com<BR><BR>Enjoy your trip, and welcome to Argentina.

Just back from BA - loved it.<BR><BR>Didn't really like Recoleta though, although it is very safe. Lots of big "theme" bars and shopping malls and not many normal bars. I don't know where Av del Mayo is, so can't advise.<BR><BR>If I were going back for a few days, I'd like to stay in Palermo - near the parks, nice neighbourhood, cooler bars / restaurants etc.<BR><BR>To be honest taxis are so cheap, it doesn't really matter where you stay, you won't have to pay more than about &pound;2 / US$3 to cross town

Av. de Mayo is where the demonstrations are usually held.<BR>I, too, was disappointed this time in the Recoleta restaurant area -- too many shills.<BR>But some parts of Recoleta are very elegant and wonderful.

Recoleta is beautiful. You must have been somewhere else because there are NO shopping malls. It is a high class area, probably the nicest in BA. Are you sure you were there.