Palermo Viejo vs Recoleta Hotel
Apr 1st, 2012, 08:30 AM
#1
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Palermo Viejo vs Recoleta Hotel
This is gariem again. I will be in Buenos Aires alone for two nights both before and after a group wine tour in Chile during April. I have booked a hotel in Palermo Hollywood for the first two nights and a hotel in Recoleta for the last two nights to experience different parts of the city. On Friday night I dined with friends here in the US who grew up in BA and go back every year, in fact they are going next week. They advised me not to stay in Palermo as a single woman traveling alone, stick to Recoleta. They have relatives living in Palermo, and all have been robbed in the streets over time. How safe am I in the evenings? Should I stick to taxis in that neighborhood? (I'll carry cash only, one credit card, no jewelry, etc.) I'll use my cell phone indoors, since my friends' brother had his new iphone ripped off him in mid-sentence on a sidewalk recently. I REALLY wanted to stay in Palermo at Legado Mitico Hotel (which has a guard and is locked at all times, does that tell me something?) I'm petite, in my mid-50's, well traveled in Europe, but no jock. Any comments, avrooster or others? Saludos!
Apr 1st, 2012, 09:12 AM
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First, a slight but important correction: The Legado Mitico is located in Palermo Soho rather than Palermo Hollywood. Why is this distinction important? Both Hollywood and Soho are located in Palermo Viejo, or Old Palermo. This area was in sharp decline with abandoned and run down buildings, darkened streets and so forth until the process of gentrification began more than a decade ago. Soho is much farther along in this process than its nearby cousin Hollywood. That is to say there are many more areas in Hollywood that are still dark and forlorn, awaiting some enterprising person to come along and do a loving makeover. The Legado Mitico is located near Plaza Serrano, the epicenter of action in Soho. As such, it is in a fairly well established area with better lighting at night than in many spots in Hollywood or the fringes of Soho. While I would be very particular about where I stayed in Palermo Viejo, the Legado Mitico would be a place I would choose.
Apr 1st, 2012, 09:39 AM
#4
I'm not an expert - there are many here that are though! - but we spent 4 weeks in Buenos Aires in February (in Las Canitas) and spent a lot of time very near this hotel during the day and at night. With the obvious proviso of being careful and cautious we felt comfortable in the neighbourhood at night (although there were two of us).
Hotel looks great!
Hotel looks great!
Apr 1st, 2012, 11:45 AM
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Thank you, drdawggy, for making that distinction for me, and thank you, Elizabeth, for your comments. I have not rebooked at this point. I don't speak any Spanish, so this is another consideration. It sounds like I'm staying in the right part of Palermo, though.
Apr 1st, 2012, 11:46 AM
#6
I agree with dr_dawggy and Elizabeth_S. The location of the Legado Mitico is very nice. That said, as a single female, if you are returning late at night alone, you should consider taking a taxi - but I would likely do that in Recoleta as well. I walked alone in Palermo Sojo and in Recoleta - but very late at night I would only want to walk in the immediate neighborhood of my apt. Otherwise, you clearly are travel wise and thoughtful - so enjoy this lovely area and hotel.
Apr 1st, 2012, 12:01 PM
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It is true that there have been a rash of robberies of pedestrians in Palermo Soho in the past few weeks.. daytime as well as nights.
We still go there all the time but you just stay with the crowds and don't wander off alone somewhere, take taxis etc.
I think the policing in Recoleta is very good , they are geared towards tourists more, I think.
We still go there all the time but you just stay with the crowds and don't wander off alone somewhere, take taxis etc.
I think the policing in Recoleta is very good , they are geared towards tourists more, I think.
Apr 1st, 2012, 03:22 PM
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Hi, Gariem!
I have been out all day and just now saw your post with my name in it. A really fool-proof way to get the attention of yours truly! LOL!!!!
Chief DE Marnie and her adjutant drdawggy know much more about Palermo than I do, as they have often stayed in that quarter, so their advice should be pretty good.
You seem to be quite aware of the precautions you need to take, so I'll also let that matter rest.
I would only add you should always carry change no larger than 20 peso bills to pay cabs and that the safest way to take a radio taxi is to call or have one called for you.
What makes CALLING a radio taxi safer than taking any other cabs, including radio taxis, is that there is a record of which cab you boarded.
What are the dates of your stays in BA? Maybe we could organize a GTG. In another thread you say you'll arrive here late on April 28.
If you feel I could be of further help, feel free to write to me to albertovgalloATyahoo.com
Have a great time in our town.
I have been out all day and just now saw your post with my name in it. A really fool-proof way to get the attention of yours truly! LOL!!!!
Chief DE Marnie and her adjutant drdawggy know much more about Palermo than I do, as they have often stayed in that quarter, so their advice should be pretty good.
You seem to be quite aware of the precautions you need to take, so I'll also let that matter rest.
I would only add you should always carry change no larger than 20 peso bills to pay cabs and that the safest way to take a radio taxi is to call or have one called for you.
What makes CALLING a radio taxi safer than taking any other cabs, including radio taxis, is that there is a record of which cab you boarded.
What are the dates of your stays in BA? Maybe we could organize a GTG. In another thread you say you'll arrive here late on April 28.
If you feel I could be of further help, feel free to write to me to albertovgalloATyahoo.com
Have a great time in our town.
Apr 1st, 2012, 03:53 PM
#9
avrooster and others - I have a question regarding calling for a taxi. As mentioned above we spent 4 weeks in BsAs and took many taxis, which we flagged on the street night and day (always looking for a "radio" taxi) but we never "called one" Frankly it seemed difficult and impractical when you spontaneously need a taxi (i.e. not leaving a restaurant, etc) ... our Spanish skills weren't up to phoning for a cab and explaining where we were, plus we didn't feel unsafe flagging a cab. Would appreciate some comments on this topic as it is a recurring recommendation for BsAs visitors, but would be helped by some practical explanations as to how/why/when to do it.
Gracias!
Gracias!
Apr 1st, 2012, 03:58 PM
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Elizabeth, we never call taxis , living here in the city .. we just walk out the door and wave one down.
In a hotel it was easy, we asked the desk to do it for us.
If you stay in an apartment with a Porter, he can call for you.
When you are in a restaurant, you can ask the waiter to call one for you.
Everyone is always happy to do it for you .
But if you don't speak fluent Spanish, waving down a Radio Taxi is easy ..
In a hotel it was easy, we asked the desk to do it for us.
If you stay in an apartment with a Porter, he can call for you.
When you are in a restaurant, you can ask the waiter to call one for you.
Everyone is always happy to do it for you .
But if you don't speak fluent Spanish, waving down a Radio Taxi is easy ..
Apr 1st, 2012, 07:46 PM
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I agree with Scarlett's practical suggestions for how to arrange a taxi as a non-Spanish speaker.
Here is the advantage of calling for a cab vs waving one down: The company is aware of which cab was dispatched to your location so that in the event of a problem it can easily be traced back to a particular driver/car.
Hailing a cab on the street has advantages and disadvantages. It is, of course,simpler and faster. On the other hand, you lose a measure of security.
There is no real advantage to hailing a radio cab vs a non-radio cab on the street. There is no record of either having picked you up.
The probability of a problem with a cab driver is very small. I usually just opt for grabbing a cab from the street. But you need to be aware that you have lost the added security of an identifiable trail in the off chance that a problem does arise.
Here is the advantage of calling for a cab vs waving one down: The company is aware of which cab was dispatched to your location so that in the event of a problem it can easily be traced back to a particular driver/car.
Hailing a cab on the street has advantages and disadvantages. It is, of course,simpler and faster. On the other hand, you lose a measure of security.
There is no real advantage to hailing a radio cab vs a non-radio cab on the street. There is no record of either having picked you up.
The probability of a problem with a cab driver is very small. I usually just opt for grabbing a cab from the street. But you need to be aware that you have lost the added security of an identifiable trail in the off chance that a problem does arise.
Apr 2nd, 2012, 03:13 AM
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First and foremost, I fully agree with drdawggy about his "The probability of a problem with a cab driver is very small".
But if a female traveling by herself (the OP) is intent on seeking maximum safety, she should call or have a radio taxi called, obtaining the safety advantage mentioned above by drdawggy.
Furthermore, I also agree with drdawggy's "There is no real advantage to hailing a radio cab vs a non-radio cab on the street. There is no record of either having picked you up." I have always said so. What I mean is that hailing only radio taxis because they are supposed to be safer doesn't make any sense at all. What makes radio taxis safer is calling them.
However, there is one simple safety measure concerning cabs that is seldom if ever mentioned in these forums: all cabs are supposed to have, hanging from the front seat and in full view of the customer in the back seat, a large form indicating the name of the driver and other pertinent data.
Do NOT board a cab which does NOT have this data fully visible, because it COULD indicate that he is more inclined to do mischief than other cabs which show it clearly.
Elizabeth_S asks for "some practical explanations as to how/why/when to" call for a radio taxi.
One time to do it is when leaving at night a touristy place, such as a tango show or a restaurant in Puerto Madero. Tell whoever seems to run the place you want a radio taxi called for you and ask for the license plate of the cab which will pick you up.
In general terms, NEVER board a cab from the line waiting outside touristy places. One main example often mentioned is our local airport (AEP). Take a "remise", even if you have to wait.
I hasten to admit that it is relatively complicated for a tourist who does not speak Spanish to call a radio taxi. You would need to have a cell phone or use a pay phone and not all radio taxi companies have English speaking staff. If anyone is REALLY interested, I can check which companies do.
Have a great time in our town.
But if a female traveling by herself (the OP) is intent on seeking maximum safety, she should call or have a radio taxi called, obtaining the safety advantage mentioned above by drdawggy.
Furthermore, I also agree with drdawggy's "There is no real advantage to hailing a radio cab vs a non-radio cab on the street. There is no record of either having picked you up." I have always said so. What I mean is that hailing only radio taxis because they are supposed to be safer doesn't make any sense at all. What makes radio taxis safer is calling them.
However, there is one simple safety measure concerning cabs that is seldom if ever mentioned in these forums: all cabs are supposed to have, hanging from the front seat and in full view of the customer in the back seat, a large form indicating the name of the driver and other pertinent data.
Do NOT board a cab which does NOT have this data fully visible, because it COULD indicate that he is more inclined to do mischief than other cabs which show it clearly.
Elizabeth_S asks for "some practical explanations as to how/why/when to" call for a radio taxi.
One time to do it is when leaving at night a touristy place, such as a tango show or a restaurant in Puerto Madero. Tell whoever seems to run the place you want a radio taxi called for you and ask for the license plate of the cab which will pick you up.
In general terms, NEVER board a cab from the line waiting outside touristy places. One main example often mentioned is our local airport (AEP). Take a "remise", even if you have to wait.
I hasten to admit that it is relatively complicated for a tourist who does not speak Spanish to call a radio taxi. You would need to have a cell phone or use a pay phone and not all radio taxi companies have English speaking staff. If anyone is REALLY interested, I can check which companies do.
Have a great time in our town.
Apr 2nd, 2012, 03:29 AM
#13
Thanks all for your comments - twice we found if we asked a restaurant to call a cab they just walked out onto the street and hailed one! As AVR suggested, we always ensured the driver information was prominently displayed and noted the cab number. We also always had our destination written down in neat handwriting, plus we always had high detail BsAs map visible and knew in advance the general route we would take. All of our experiences would good - some great, as the cabbies were very nice and pointed out tourist sites.
But...we did take a cab from the line at AEP (it was mid day - we were transiting back through BsAs from Ushuaia to Salta and had a 5 hour layover and a certain restaurant was beckoning) No problem there either, but what is the risk? The cabbie will take you a circuitous route? The meter has been adjusted? Personal safety?
But...we did take a cab from the line at AEP (it was mid day - we were transiting back through BsAs from Ushuaia to Salta and had a 5 hour layover and a certain restaurant was beckoning) No problem there either, but what is the risk? The cabbie will take you a circuitous route? The meter has been adjusted? Personal safety?
Apr 2nd, 2012, 03:47 AM
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Well, if you tell them to CALL a radio cab, that's what they should do. If, instead, they hail one for you, they should at least write down the license plate number and give it to you.
Cabs taken from the line waiting outside AEP could be guilty of any or all of the three risks mentioned by you above.
If you pay with a large denomination bill, it could be changed for a fake bill. A variation of this trick was tried on me by a NY cabbie back in 1979. It didn´t work for him.
Have a great time in our town.
Cabs taken from the line waiting outside AEP could be guilty of any or all of the three risks mentioned by you above.
If you pay with a large denomination bill, it could be changed for a fake bill. A variation of this trick was tried on me by a NY cabbie back in 1979. It didn´t work for him.
Have a great time in our town.
Apr 2nd, 2012, 05:50 AM
#15
I support all the suggestions and cautions above, and I will add that when I hail a taxi on the street (always with small bills in my purse) I act as if I am noting the name and number of the taxi - thereby, maybe foolishly - suggesting that I would be able to identify the driver were there any problems.
That said, in 5 years of taking taxis in BsAs, we only once had a driver pull the false money scam, and that was, as AV Rooster cautions against, exiting a Tango show in San Telmo. Generally the drivers have been not only honest but go out of their way to be helpful.
That said, in 5 years of taking taxis in BsAs, we only once had a driver pull the false money scam, and that was, as AV Rooster cautions against, exiting a Tango show in San Telmo. Generally the drivers have been not only honest but go out of their way to be helpful.
Apr 2nd, 2012, 06:28 AM
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That's right, leading candidate for chief DE MarnieWDC!
Most of our cabbies are honest, hard working fellows, but you can always find a few bad apples in most barrels.
Those few bad apples can usually be found waiting for foreigners outside touristy places.
Other examples are the lines waiting for cruise ship passengers or the Buquebus from Montevideo.
Have a great time in our town.
Most of our cabbies are honest, hard working fellows, but you can always find a few bad apples in most barrels.
Those few bad apples can usually be found waiting for foreigners outside touristy places.
Other examples are the lines waiting for cruise ship passengers or the Buquebus from Montevideo.
Have a great time in our town.
Apr 2nd, 2012, 06:35 AM
#17
"If you pay with a large denomination bill it could be changed for a fake bill" .... I presume that means the driver will hand it (or actually the fake) back to you saying he doesn't have change?
The paper bills were so old in Argentina we joked it would be hard to successfully introduce a counterfeit bill unless you washed it about 100 times and ran over it with your car for a day!
The paper bills were so old in Argentina we joked it would be hard to successfully introduce a counterfeit bill unless you washed it about 100 times and ran over it with your car for a day!
Apr 2nd, 2012, 07:20 AM
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The trick could be performed in two ways, Elizabeth_S:
1) The cabbie could switch the large bill for a fake one and return it to you saying it is a fake. One way to avoid this is to let him know you know the number of the bill you gave him.
Mind you, we have had posts from people telling they gave cabbies several hundred peso bills and having them all switched for fakes.
2) The other way would be to give you your change in fake bills.
All this would be avoided by paying with bills no larger than 20 pesos, which would minimize the potential damage.
Have a great time in our town.
1) The cabbie could switch the large bill for a fake one and return it to you saying it is a fake. One way to avoid this is to let him know you know the number of the bill you gave him.
Mind you, we have had posts from people telling they gave cabbies several hundred peso bills and having them all switched for fakes.
2) The other way would be to give you your change in fake bills.
All this would be avoided by paying with bills no larger than 20 pesos, which would minimize the potential damage.
Have a great time in our town.
Apr 2nd, 2012, 07:53 AM
#20
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I have been avidly reading all these suggestions, and will bear them in mind as I venture down to South America for the first time. Thank you for your e-mail address, avrooster. I will keep it handy if I have further questions. I will try to write a trip report when I get back. I'm leaving April 16, returning May 1. My escorted wine tour will include Mendoza and Uruguay, besides Chile. I'm in BA for 2 nights before and after this tour. Can't wait!
