Last minute trip to BA on May 19th
 

I just decided to join a friend down in BA and am wondering what you might recommend for a last minute itinerary? I will have approx. 2wks and want to spend a few nights in the city then maybe drive into wine country and also see Montevideo. Is all this possible and would love to hear any advice you have. Thx

Also, would like to stay in Recoleta and prices seem to vary widely among 4-star hotels but am considering the Melia just for two nights unless someone has a bad review?

We originally planned a 16 night trip, with 7 nights in BA, 2 nights in Iguazu, 2 nights in Montevideo, 4 nights in Punta del Este, and then back to BA for our last night. I didn't think that it was going to be overly busy - we tend to be 'lazy' travellers, and we don't like to be on the go all the time. We were going to fly to/from Iguazu, then take the Buquebus ferry to Montevideo.

That trip didn't really happen - our direct flight to BA from Toronto was not non-stop, but was supposed to touch down in Santiago to drop people off. To make a long story short, the plane had mechanical problems, we were all put up in a hotel in Santiago and the earthquake hit Chile that night. By the time we left Santiago 6 days later, all we wanted to do was go to BA and spend the rest of our 10 days in one spot. So we had 10 nights in BA and we totally enjoyed our trip. We found plenty to do in BA for the 10 days, including long mornings over coffee on the terrace of our rented apartment.

But I still think that our original itinerary is quite appealing and I do wish we could have seen Iguazu. But maybe some other time!

I highly recommend the Melia Recoleta Plaza. We started our trip to Buenos Aires in another hotel which was a disaster. Moving to the Melia was the best decision we could have made; the wonderful staff there and large quiet room saved our trip.THe Melia breakfasts are excellent too.
The location is perfect with many wonderful restaurants and shops nearby.

Funny you mention that hotel since that is where I've booked the first two nights! I love cities and we do plan on possibly seeing Montevideo also-it's easy to get to, right? Between the city of BA and maybe some day trips too, I'm hoping that 2wks is not too much.

What an experience being there at the time of the earthquake.

Did you all use the Ezeisa taxi service?

moremiles:

I second HAPPYTRVLR on the Melia Recoleta Plaza - we liked it very much. And just next door is the wonderful, simple empanadas restaurant, El Sanjuanino; on the other side is a fancier, sea food restaurant, Ferver.

Recoleta is wonderful for walking to many, many sites, parks, restaurants etc. And it is easy to get to the other barrios from there.

Taxi Exeiza to/from the airport is reliable, as are the Remis services: World Car, VIP or Tienda Leon.

You will not drive to Mendoza, but you could fly or overnight bus there. Or, you could go to Montevideo for a night or two and add Colonia as a stop; you could take the ferry.

Iguazzu Falls is spectacular, but will require a flight and at least 1 night or an overnight bus plus 1 night. This is the highlight of many first trips to Argentina. Wine country is another preference, so you have a wonderful opportunity to read up on all these possibilities, even though your ETA is coming up soon. Most of these arrangements can be made once you are in Buenos Aires.

Have a great trip.

~MarnieWDC

Thanks, we're planning on Montevideo since it looks easy to get to? Would love to see some of wine country but am wondering if there are places that won't require a flt?

Thanks so much! Will only be at the Melia the first two nights and then look for something less exp.

Hi moremiles
Just to offer a bit of help with getting to Montevideo. You can get there by ferry or flight (the flight is only about 25 minutes, and there are some good deals - try www.pluna.com.uy).

The ferry company that I have travelled on before between Buenos Aires & Colonia is Buquebus - www.buquebus.com. Colonia is a gorgeous little spot, and a good itinerary to Uruguay would be a ferry to Colonia, where you could spend the day, then a bus to Montevideo. Colonia is 170kms from Montevideo, so the bus trip is under 3 hours. Or, if not, the ferry from BA to MVD is around 3 hours (for the fast service).

And I noticed that you had a quick question about transfers from EZE airport. In the arrivals hall at EZE there are quite a few companies that offer transfers - it is a really efficient service (I have used Tienda Leon, but there are a few).

Suerte!

Thx! Also, someone I just talked to who had recently visited BA highly recommended Patagonia which I would love to see. I understand it's a 4hr flt but which airport do you fly into?

Hi,
I live in Recoleta and depending on your budget, there are definitely nice hotels here for you as well as some great apartment rentals.
Look at the Loi Suites Recoleta and the Etoile.
We have family who just stayed 2 weeks at the Etoile and the service and the rooms were wonderful !

We used VIP at the airport , you can use WorldCar also, in addition to Ezeiza. . or Fred at SilverStarCar.

You won't really be able to "drive anywhere" but Flying to Mendoza and staying in a hotel there, will eat up some days and not be inexpensive.. but it is doable.

You can take a high speed ferry to Colonia, stay a night, take the bus to Montevideo and stay a night or two and come home from there on the ferry... or just go straight to Montevideo by ferry. Colonia is a day trip, Montevideo is not.

I second Marnie, we have been eating at Sanjuanino a lot lately and it has always been good.. our guests always love it. The waiters are excellent.
You have to go to Rodi Bar too .. and sit and have coffee at Cafe Biela.
That is required lol.'

Thx for all the advice! It seems like there are plenty of options available, even with an upcoming holiday, so will wait till after I get there to book the next hotel. I do have an apt option also on Cervino which is owned by my dance teacher, a native.