I'll chime in. I think BA is the nicest of the South American cities, but can't be compared to a European city, it's less consistently beautiful, the pockets of charming areas are broken up by less charming areas. I would stay in Recoleta if you're looking for a stylish, lively area. I agree with other posters, the food and steaks are great, for a reasonable price. If you have the chance there are other sensational parts of Argentina to visit. We went to Igauzzu for a tropical adventure and spent 8 days in Patagonia in El Chalten, El Calafate and Estancia Cristina, an absolutely spectacular area. I've heard great things about Bariloche, Mendoza and the Salta area. March is a great time to go to Patagonia by the way.

I recently returned from my 3rd trip to B.A. (somehow I slipped through, probably because I didn't wear my baseball cap, but I now have a Hard Rock Cafe B.A. ball cap which I didn't wear until I was safely back in the States).

Two weeks in B.A. would be 8 or 9 days too many for me, though. I went to Iguazu and it was wonderful.

I will get on board with the folks that rave about Cabana Las Lilas. Had a great lomo there.

mrwunrfl, is that why I never saw you ?? :(

Ok, so we'll do B.A. for approx. 5 days, and then some Lakes District and some Patagonia. Is that a good plan? How do you recommend we split our time between these regions? I want to do some beautiful outdoorsy adventures, but that seems a given once you're down there since the whole region is so gorgeous. What are good cities/towns to stay in, as jumping off points for exploring the region?

I know! :( I don't know what I was thinking. Will just have to return again. @};-

I was sitting on the patio behind the Sheraton Iguazu when a man with a baby in a stroller came out and said: "I didn't know you were here". It was a guy from work. Small world.

Very small world ! But apparently not that small since I didn't see you ...
still pouting,
Scarlett

hpluss1,
We just got back from a 2 weeks trip, with the last 3 days spent in Buenos Aires (trip report is in progress). I might be in minority, but Buenos Aires was the disappointment of this trip. We loved the rest of Argentina, and maybe I had too high expectations after seeing Iguazu and the glaciers.
In my opinion, Buenos Aires is a big city, with wide avenues, niche architecture, and that’s it. It does not compare to any European city, and maybe that’s why we did not like it. No historic center, no pedestrian area (Florida street is just an over-hyped commercial street, and we are not shoppers), no fountains, not a lot of monuments to keep the tourist interested while walking. There is a lot of traffic and a lot of pollution.

If you take a city tour, stay away from ABC Tours. Hope your experience will be better than ours, but even 5 days seems too much. I would not spend more than 2, 3 max there. Try a trip to Iguazu for a couple of days, you will not regret it.

I went there solo in Dec 2008 and stayed a week and loved it. It's the "feel" of the place for me. Plus, it's architecturally beautiful and the people that I dealt with were really sweet and kind. I had an apartment for 5 or 6 days in Palermo Hollywood, which I loved, and then stayed in a hotel in Recoleta for 1 night, but I had been over to Recoleta several times during my time there.

It was so easy being there as it's quite laid back. Plus, it was really nice to be able to use dollars. I cashed $500. into Pesos, but nearly everywhere I went it was possible to use either dollars or Pesos. I had taken a lot of dollars along and I used them to buy a lot of things with. I paid for all 4 of my tours with dollars, shopped with them at the malls and other stores and when I took the remis, I was asked if I wanted to pay in dollars. I paid in Pesos however as I didn't want to come home with lots of them, although I did. I guess I'll just have to go back to use them. I'm already planning my return trip! Happy Travels!

Oh xyz99, I am so sorry you were disappointed in your trip here! I am happy that you were able to enjoy the other areas though, the trip was not a total flop : - )
A slight correction : There are historic areas, all over the city. As you say, Florida street is for tourists, constantly mentioned in articles and forums, I hate that area, it is perfect for pick-pockets and that is about it. But every neighborhood has its own style and beauty .
There are over 100 museums here.
The city is full of parks of all sizes .
The People (Porteños) are some of the friendliest and kindest in most cities that you will visit anywhere.
Traffic?Pollution - yes .. have you been to Rome ? lol ... the entire city is not just traffic.
I cannot imagine where you were or what you missed, this city is full of monuments, huge fabulous monuments, many created by the French and Italians who came here in the early days. And a famous French man, Carlos Thays designed many of the parks.. inspired by the Paris parks of his childhood.

We used ABC tours years and years ago, to go to London. It was a perfect trip way back then, there was no tour, just the airfare and hotel and theatre tickets.
I am sorry they did not do BA/Argentina as well.

I would suggest that anyone coming here do a bit of homework first, know what you should expect and definitely make your own plans on what you want to do.
Or else you will be overwhelmed. It is a huge city full of people.

We were not overly impressed with BA. It may have been wonderful in the past, but today it is crowded (20 million), very dirty and rundown and pricey to boot. As for the steak, there is no steak in the world to compare with corn fed American steak. Theirs is grass fed and generally tough. Their wines were nice, but no better than California's. We went to a Tango show which was fine, but you probably can find a traveling show in the US that is as good. We loved Iguazu (falls) and would recommend the Chilean Lake Country.

Crime, crime, crime. I was pickpocketed on the subway, sprayed with the classic "stinky substance" in the park, and the guy across the hall from me was robbed on the street.

It's great to be able to read the opinions of others and disagree with them. Hotzim, your take on Buenos Aires baffles me. I live in California and like its wine, but Argentina is known for her wine.

I don't eat much meat in the US because of its cattle being pumped full of hormones and being corn fed! Yuk! As far as the Tango goes-- one should experience it in the place of its origin, not from some "traveling show."

I hope the originator of this thread DOES NOT take what you wrote to heart, for It definitely has flaws in it, but I do agree with you in terms of the Lake Country experience. Of all of my trips during the past-- this one from Chile to Argentina will always remain with me. It was indeed F A B U L O U S!!!

Interesting discussion, I have debated over the last few years about a trip to BA. The impression that I get is that it's "easy" & familiar for the non-adventurous American. I never hear them talk about history and architecture, just the general ambience so I'm not sure what is supposed to make it feel "European". People look forward to shopping for leather goods and having a steak and wine dinner, (at one point it was supposed to be a good value, is it still?) They also like the nightlife and pedestrian ambience which if you live in a California suburb can be a novelty.

I usually encourage them to give Lima a try but they are nervous about digestive upsets and the (perhaps outdated) notion that Lima isn't safe. They don't know what they're missing!

mlgb, "Tourists" who like to "do a city" and shop and eat, often skip anything to do with the architecture and history of a city ..
Buenos Aires is dripping with history, it is all around you in the monuments, museums, homes and neighborhoods.
Like any Big City in the world, there are neighborhoods that are rough, posh and touristy.
There has been so much press about how "cheap" things are ( they are no longer cheap) that a lot of the tourism is aimed at cheap hotels, cheap steak, a cheap tango show and maybe a little nightlife.
There is so much more to this city than most tourists even know.
If you want to come here because it is cheap.. then at least take a walk and look at the neighborhoods and see what the place looks like.
I don't know about adventurous or non-adventurous, we were here for 2 weeks on a vacation then moved here 5 months later.
We are the only North Americans in our bldg .. I hate Florida Street ..
It isn't the place, it is the tourist. some people travel but look for what they can get that is just like "home" .. and they want it cheap.
That is not a traveler in my book.

Scarlett, very well said!!!! I enjoy BA for a few days and do love the feel of the neighborhoods and the vibrancy of the city, we walk all over and enjoy seeing the different buildings/architecture, etc. (just have to watch out for the dog poop and broken sidewalks). I, too, do not enjoy Florida St. But, I also enjoy walking in NYC (which I do every day), without having to watch out for the dog poop and broken sidewalks :) and also avoid the tourist areas in NY (I get out of Times Square as fast as I can after a play).

Anyway, to each their own, we have enjoyed all our trips to AR, but like the diversity of the countryside, more than BA.

In response to one of the first posts, Mexico City is great, and I think the crime problem for tourists is really overblown. Both Mexico City and Buenos Aires have their unique amazing characteristics (but personally Mexico City wins out for me).

I agree with Scarlett that you should not look upon Buenos Aires as a bargain-basement destination. The sad fact is that lots of places are much more enjoyable when you spend more. Look for bargains, sure, but if you have traveled that far and long to get to BA, do enjoy the shows, restaurants, nice hotels, etc. I love the MALBA outside cafe, for example, but it is definitely not cheap. I loved the tango shows, Cafe Clasica y Moderna, etc.

In two responses a few weeks back, I promised to cite additional ideas for your visit. Instead of my doing that, I'd highly suggest your procuring copies of TIME OUT BUENOS AIRES and DK's EYEWITNESS TRAVEL ARGENTINA. Both, from my point of view, are excellent resources.

I've found both of these books to be invaluable resources.

Thank you so much, Eddwarm! I'll definitely get those books. Thanks everyone else for the great suggestions and advice.

Yes, and grab a Time Out BA Magazine too .. you can find out everything that is happening at that time. Here, just to whet your appetite some more :)
http://www.timeout.com/buenos-aires/

He argtour perhaps you didn't notice that this OP was made int 2010 so they probably don't want to hire your company now.

BTW I was in BA for the first time last year, I wasn't impressed! There is no change re the dog poop and broken sidewalks, and it is NOT a good value. You can do better in Colombia. The food tended to be on the bland side, and if you want good steak, go to Uruguay. If you want good wine, go to Chile.

For me 5 days was bout 3 too many.