Going to Buenos Aires!
 

Well it's for several days at the end of a drop n go cruise around Cape Horn. Couldn't pass up the rate when I started my research, plus I can use FF miles.

I will have a few days before flying home, and then the Visa for a longer visit!

Great! What can we do for you, mlgb?

I'm arriving in port Saturday before Easter and leaving Wednesday night.

I am scurrying to get my FF tickets and reciprocity secured, and then I can start planning.

Would you post your email again?

Sure: albertovgalloATyahoo.com

Thanks, AV! I was able to secure a B&B a few blocks from Plaza Armenia (Palermo, I think). I will need the restaurant recommendations!

I can send you an email if that is easier or I am sure everyone will welcome your updated suggestions.

mlgb: I hate TA, because I'm a proscript from that hallowed space, but I'm afraid the best way to research restaurants in Palermo is to look there.

Besides, I have lived out of town for over 40 years and drive into BA very seldom.

Maybe top TA DE MarnieWDC, who stays in Palermo for two months or more every year, can be of more help. I'll e-mail her a link to this thread.

What's the name of the place where you'll be staying?

I assume you know the cabs from the cruise port can be a rip-off and that you are aware of the safety advice for BA.

Have a great time in my town.

I have Malabia House.

I hate TA also, but will check things out as well as some trip reports.

Thanks for the tip re the cabs and I will read up on the best alternative.

I have survived Lima and Quito so I hope BA is no worse!

I was going to post a link to a thread I had with a collection of links to useful trip reports, but I have discovered it's GONE.

The only good thing is that I know exactly WHO could possibly object to such a useful thread.

That sux...on Fodors? I can see it on TA...

Can I ask what will be the major issues with being there over Easter weekend?

Sat-Sunday I assume many taxi drivers will not be working? Or charge extra for fares? Will many restaurants be closed and/or full on Sunday? Will the weekend markets that would normally happen still be on?

I arrive early Saturday, will I have trouble getting cash from an ATM over the holiday weekend? Are the banks open on Monday, or is that a bank holiday?

Should I order some starter amount before I leave or perhaps there is a cambio in Santiago airport?

If you think there will be issues with taxis and currency maybe it would be best to book a prearranged though overpriced transfer from the port.

I'm afraid I don't understand your: "That sux...on Fodors? I can see it on TA...". E-mail me about it, if you prefer.

No major issues "over Easter weekend" that I can think of. Just pretty quiet.

There may be less cabs available, but also less people to take them, so I don't think that's a problem. I don't think there will be extra charges, but I'm not absolutely sure.

No Argentine restaurant is full at the time Americans like to have dinner. Most open at 8 PM. Some are closed on Sundays.

The weekend markets should be operating normally.

There MAY be a problem (out of cash) with ATMs over the long weekend. The banks and exchange houses will be open come Monday.

Getting pesos in the US or Santiago may well be impossible. My "brightest" idea is the following: ask the B&B to arrange for a car to meet you at the cruise port AND ask them to have a certain amount of pesos available to buy enough dollars from you to get you until Monday.

If they cannot do that for you, you have chosen the wrong B&B.

I am assuming you have MORE than carry-on luggage. If not, I have another idea for the ride from the cruise port.

Anything else we can do for you, mlgb?

Googled "sux". Yes, it does.

My thread was a collection of trip reports, mostly from TA, gathered over the years.

The idea is that you had all that info in one place.

I have asked the mods why they deleted such a useful post, but I'm pretty sure I won't get a reply worth reading or none at all.

Maybe it was that you were linking to another website, who knows?

I won't have a lot of luggage, probably a small rolling suitcase and a duffle. But probably would rather not use public transportation with my luggage. I've read that some people will walk a little ways out of the port and get a taxi but it doesn't always sound like a pleasant experience.

I will indeed ask the B&B. She has already sent me a nice email.

Thanks for your help.

If I think of anything else I will email you!

Yes, the links were mostly to TA, using tinyurl, but we had had the argument before and they had approved the thread. As I said, I know exactly who made them change their mind.

Yes, if you only have luggage you can carry for a few blocks, I was going to suggest you "walk a little ways out of the port and get a taxi", but asking the B&B to arrange for transportation is MUCH better.

I realized I should be able to get Pesos in Puerto Madryn, before Buenos Aires...hopefully.

But I will still ask the B*B about a pickup.

I love BA. We stayed at Malabia House on our first trip to BA. It's a nice friendly BnB. You should have no trouble dealing with BA - much easier than Quito for sure. Lima was pretty grim when I was there, but I understand it has gotten much better so can't compare it to that.

I love the Italian food there, best this side of Italy. Hopefully Marnie will pop up and provide you with some recent recs as I haven't been in 5 years. The gelato is fabulous! And the dulce de leche with it or alone is wonderful.

I would be pleased to recommend some restaurants, mlgb, if you tell me what you might be interested in....and if you are looking for places near your lovely B&B or perhaps in adjacent barrios.

I really think, with your luggage, and the day of your arrival, that I would far and away prefer to take a remis, pre--arranged by your B&B. I love walking and taking busses and even taxis in BsAs, but from the Puertos or the Airports, NO.

Great advice above, from TOP TA DE MarnieWDC!

Thanks for the advice re the transport.

I will have nearly 5 days so will get around to other areas specially during the day. I love museums so if there are favorites nearby (or inside)

I am an adventurous eater, spicy, garlicky, seafood, but I will try anything and like most of it (except sea squirts). And I enjoy markets, street food..strong stomach!
No Mexican as we have it in spades, here.

Any special bakery, cafe, gelateria, near the B&B?

Mostly I look for small popular places, a little creative but not trendy to the point where appearances top the flavor, if that makes sense?

Thank you both, again.

Do you ever post on TA, mlgb?

If so, could you give me the link to your profile?

Thank you.

I was banned, by campaign of the Peruvian chief DE. But my postings still exist under mlgb. Mostly in the Peru and Ecuador forums.

I still exist as mlgb1, however I only use it for PM and don't give them the benefit of any more content!

I'm going to jump in here.

We will be in BA March 12-15th. We are staying at The Emperador. I believe it's in the Recoleta neighborhood. I know this area is full of hotels and wondered do you have any recommendations for good, yet not expensive restaurants? We like all sorts of food and if possible, would be happy to eat at places that are a bit off the tourist route yet easy for us to get to. Even places within the neighborhood for, say, dinner. (If outside of Recoleta, we are willing to take the subway; we are from NYC and are used to traveling this way.)

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Hi! In Buenos Aires you will find many options. There is a lot of variety. Recoleta is a one of the fanciest districs of the city so you will find expensive restaurants around, but there is always a good place where you can go and don't overpay the food.
One nice place to go in Recoleta is El CLub de la Milanesa. Here they have big portions and you can share. It is close to the cemetery.
Then you can check this website where you are going to find almost every restaurant of the city and you have average prices: http://www.guiaoleo.com.ar/restaurantes/Recoleta-3/

I know that it is spanish but in ZONA you can put the district that you want and see at least the stars and prices of each place.

I am a local guide in BA and I am writing about free things to do in the city. I invite you to join our free tours and also see the blog and see all the things you can do in the city for free!

http://www.buenosairesfreewalks.com/

Have a nice trip!

Dianedancer: you sound like the kind of tourist who would like the Rodi Bar or the Parrilla Peña

http://tinyurl.com/9dkwudw You can go as early as you want.

http://tinyurl.com/hrwo9sc Cash only, I believe.

Or El Estrebe, another great parilla in the Recoleta area....or Fervor for seafood and highter end parilla. Or for empanadas: Cumana or El Sanjuanino - both in Recoleta, not far from the Cemetery. Centro Vasco Frances for mediteranean seafood a bit farther, but not a far taxi ride. Sucre for elegant, French style dining and my favorite parilla, in la Recova, El Mirasol. And there are lots of great restaurants in San Telmo and in Palermo....so don't limit yourself to Recoleta. Palermo is walking distance (if you walk a lot) from Recoleta (not necessarily from the Emparador, though) but taxis are inexpensive and readily available, so do not feel limited by barrio. All of BsAs is to be explored !

Mlgb: Be advised that Argentine cuisine, while delicious and sumptuous, is not highly seasoned. Even salt and pepper are often (excuse my foreigner take) lacking...and what they consider 'hot' you will likely consider 'mild'. No matter, as long as you know, you will find flavorful and delicious meals....but not often spicy.

And know that Argentines generally prefer their meat well done - so be specific if you prefer it Jugoso (juicy, pink) or more....they will understand.

You're making me hungry for Argentine food. Loved Sucre. Is Social Parasio still around and any good?

Diane Dancer, Recoleta is a nice neighborhood with a lot of cafes, restaurants both casual and posh and pizzerias etc .. and very good ice cream - Volta !!
Buenos Aires is made up of neighborhoods, Palermo, San Telmo etc.
Recoleta is know for the museums, parks and a few big landmarks like the Library and Recoleta Cemetery and the major museums.


The Imperador isn't really in Recoleta .. it is on the other side of 9 de Julio and on Libertador .. a big street that runs through all the neighborhoods.
It is a nice hotel, just not , I think, exactly where you might think it is.

You will be several blocks walk from places like the Rodi Bar and the Cemetery etc.
None of this is bad, just giving you more of an idea where things are relative to where you will be staying : )

I was wishing I was able to go to Rodi Bar yesterday .. they made a pasta I loved : ) It was the first restaurant we had dinner in, upon our arrival in Buenos Aires, to live. We walked down the block to Rodi Bar and ordered dinner and took it back home. We felt like we were home, right away.
and now I am homesick : )

https://tinyurl.com/hnsnxm4

Above is a tiny url of the Trip reports threads that avrooster talks about.
It should be fun reading .. from so many people from all over the world .
Have fun reading !

Yes, Yestravel, Social Paraiso is still going strong and delicious. Wish we could go together.

I'll go with you Marnie ;;)

Yes MarnieWDC, I realize that about Argentinean food, which is one reason I have delayed going there!

I will have to make do with seafood, maybe.

Let's see BA is about 5 hrs from Quito- we could meet you Sunday��

I may have to bring my own salt and pepper and hot sauce..

I can also live off of ice cream...

It is actually very possible to live on ice cream in BA.
And when you feel like something warmer, the pasta is good. followed by ice cream.

Thank you everyone. As far as spiciness, or lack thereof, of Argentine food is concerned I am not a spicy fan. So it sounds like I will be just fine with Argentine food.

You will be : ) And if you like to just sit in an outdoor cafe and have coffee , you will be happy. You can also sit outside a Volta and have coffee and ice cream ... you can imagine how much I miss my home in Buenos Aires lol ..

I'm with Scarlett on the gelato. It was fabulous in BA. Add some dulce de leche and a perfect meal.

Would it be more accurate to say that our hotel is in the Retiro neighborhood?

Yes, that would be correct.

I didn't like ice cream until I went to Buenos Aires and got addicted to Freddos?? when we were there!

Crellston, not sure I can follow your great tips if you didn't like ice cream:)