I just learned that I am heading to Uruguay for a business trip in early June. I hope to have a day in Montevideo before I need to get to work. I have always wanted to go to Buenos Aires so I am considering adding on a few days there. Unfortunately due to family and work obligations, I can't stay in BA for very long - probably 3 nights. And here is the crazy part, my husband wants to join me in BA! I know traveling all the way down to South America for such a short trip is somewhat crazy but he says he doesn't mind the flying (I suppose once you have an ambien does a few extra hours on the plane really matter) and we have both been wanting to go to Buenos Aires.....if we love it, we'll go back for longer. We are in our 30s and well traveled in Europe but this will be our first trip to South America.

I've been reading all the great posts on here about Argentina and have a few questions for our very short trip. Where would you recommend that we stay for the most convenient location? We really just want to get an overview of the city. We enjoy art, music, shopping, eating and just walking around soaking up the atmosphere. Any suggestions for a 3 day itinerary? I have seen a few recommendations for the Signature Tours bus tour which sounds great. Or would you recommend a private guide one day instead given our time constraints? What is the price difference? Any recommendations for books with good walking tours?

Would any of these answers be different if I end up in BA alone - as a solo woman traveler I have safety concerns?

Also, several of the posts mention how expensive it is to fly within South America. I am finding flights from Montevideo to BA for $100 which don't require much advance booking. Is this a fluke and should I be worried about booking my ticket or is this particular route inexpensive?

Thanks for any suggestions. There is lots of great info on the forum already for BA but given the "unique" nature of our trip, I thought I would post as a new topic.

About your questions: It sounds as if the parts of our town known as Recoleta and Palermo would be right for a first-timer like you.

I would suggesting choosing one of the several boutique hotels you can find in Palermo.

With a little research, you should find many tours to choose from and it is up to you to find which one sounds right for you. These young people offer free (obviously, you are supposed to tip them) walking tours which are very popular with foreign tourists: http://tinyurl.com/c2d7wr

If hubby can't make it, you'll be perfectly OK, Sally30, as long as you behave prudently, as any female solo traveler should, in any large town.

It is a VERY short hop from Montevideo to BA, so the price of that flight is probably right. Steer away from the cabs in our local airport and take a "remise" to your hotel.

Have a great time in our town, Sally30, with or without your DH.

Hi Sally
I would stay in Recoleta, actually, we did stay in Recoleta on our first visit here .. at the Art Suites ApartHotel .. www.artsuites.com.ar

You have a nice large suite with 24 hour security, concierge who is extremely helpful and breakfast to your room each morning at the time you choose. There is a safe in the room, each room is a suite with terrace.. and kitchenette and in a residential neighborhood.
You will feel very comfortable walking around the area, you can easily walk to the Recoleta Cemetery, major Museums, fabulous parks and wonderful streets like Alvear and Callao .. if you are a good walker, you can walk to Palermo , which is pretty .

The boutique hotels are located more in Palermo Soho, Viejo etc and a bit farther , a pretty long walk from Recoleta.
It depends on your style and how much time you want to spend getting around too.
The Home Hotel in Palermo is wonderful
www.homebuenosaires.com

One of my good friends stayed here for a few days alone, she stayed at the Loi Suites in Recoleta ... that is also a very nice hotel in the middle of Recoleta.

Loi Suites Recoleta
www.splendia.com/Hotel-Recoleta

Montevideo Uruguay is a high speed ferry trip away also ..

Thanks for the info. This is really helpful. The Art Suites hotel looks very nice (and affordable).

Would you recommend that I fly or take the ferry? I like the flexibility of the ferry - am I right that I can just buy my ticket the day of my trip? I found the website www.buquebus.com. It looks like tickets are about $80 and involve a one hour bus ride plus 2.5hrs on the boat v. the one hour on the plane. How is the ferry (rough? pleasant?) and which part of the trip is by bus? I don't want to spend a fortune on a plane ticket but if it is a lot easier than the boat, I'll spend the extra money. I found plane tickets in advance for $100 but am a bit concerned I may end up needing to change the time for work reasons.

For such a short trip, I would choose to fly.

For the Montevideo/BA ferry there should be no bus ride, so I'm not sure what you are looking at on the Buquebus website.

Please be more specific, so we can help.

Thanks for the vote for flying. Sounds sensible.

I was looking at the schedule on the buquebus website. I see two direct ferries a day and the rest say "With bus".

Do you recommend that I purchase the plane tickets between MVD and BA in advance and take my chances on having to change them since I'm getting a good price? or should I wait to buy when I'm there? I presume I could do that online with my computer at the hotel?

I'd say whatever says "with bus" does NOT leave from Montevideo.

Not sure about the plane tickets, as the airlines are unpredictable.

What airlines are you looking at? I'd say PLUNA (the Uruguayan airline) and Aerolíneas Argentinas should have most or all of the flights between Montevideo and our local airport. I'd favor PLUNA. http://www.pluna.com.uy/

They are advertising $ 92,35 to BA.

Sorry rooster, but she's right. There is a direct ferry from Montevideo to BA, but another route (and a cheaper one) that buquebus has involves a bus from montevideo to colonia, and then a ferry from there. I took this a few weeks back and it really wasn;t a hassle at all switching modes of transportation. I had plenty of time, so it was worth it for me to save the extra cash.

Unfortunately, Sally, you don't have this extra time, so I would suggest taking the direct ferry or flying. As for what to do in BA, a city tour would let you knock off a lot of the most important sites all at once, and give you a good overview of the city. Then you could choose what parts you really like and explore those places in more depth. Also, be sure to hit up a tango show while your here. And try the beef.

Have a fun trip and we'll talk to you again when you come back (because i know you will!)

Cheers!

I obviously meant that, if the trip involves a bus ride, THE FERRY ITSELF does NOT leave from Montevideo and I stick to that.

Sorry, messifan, but IMHO a "direct ferry" from Montevideo to BA either leaves from Montevideo or is not "direct".

Sally, my son took the ferry to Colonia which takes an hour, stayed the night then took that bus you speak of to Montevideo the next day.. stayed a night in Montevideo then took the ferry, the one that goes directly from Montevideo to BA, home. That ferry ride is 3 hours.
So for a day trip, Montevideo by ferry is not a good idea... Colonia is .. but for a day trip by plane, you will be spending a bit of time with airports/security/customs etc too.
And yes, I think you can do the ferry reservations when you are here..

I saved this from the newspaper , we want to see this too ... it got fabulous rave reviews...
Tango Show.. Madero Tango with or without dinner..google it and see if you get something online.. it really sounds wonderful.

Here - their website ...

http://www.maderotango.com/index_eng.htm

The OP is coming FROM Montevideo to BA, after spending a few days in Uruguay, not planning a day trip to Uruguay from Argentina.

lol, thanks rooster... The info works from Uruguay to BA too

tranquilo, rooster, tranquilo...

I am VERY "tranquilo", http://tinyurl.com/qdl7rq

It's a pitty you are coming only for 3 days!!! But I'm sure you will love our city and will feel 'obliged' to return!
I've been a tour guide for several years and due to the short time of your trip I agree you stay in Recoleta, the main spots are all within walking distance.
Messifan is right about the city tour and the tango show. And the rest of the time you will be able to be on your own, go back to the places you liked most and may be go shopping
I hope this info helps!