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Buenos Aires, Argentina

  • The Wild Voyage
  • Jan 15, 2024
  • 8 min read

A unique city that has it all: beauty, food, art, entertainment. A complete travel guide to Buenos Aires: Best restaurants, bars, things to do, and everything you need to now know about the culture.


How to navigate Buenos Aires?

The net of public transportation is amazing. It is also very affordable If you are a tourist with strong currencies. The cost of a subway ride is cents of dollar. An Uber ride is between 3 and 5 dollars. Although, do not expect your Uber driver to be English fluent.


How to exchange currency?

This is the not that fun part. Exchange currency kiosks are the best way to go. Since they have the most beneficial rate. If you go to a bank, the rate they will offer you it is very low (half of the amount you will get at a kiosk).





STAYS


Airbnb is the most affordable option.

Prices in a decent place range from $50 per night to $150. An entire week in an Airbnb could cost from $250 to $600 per person.


For big groups:

This is a big house in Palermo Soho for 31 people. It costs $600+ per night but remember the cost can be split.


Another good one for groups located in Belgrano


Stays in Recoleta neighborhood:

Big groups:

There are a lot of apartments, very spacious and elegant, all located in the Recoleta area that are very affordable. Some of them are in the same building, or even in the same block.


Big groups:


Big groups:


3 people


2 people


2 people


3 people


These other two options are in Belgrano:


Hotels

Some of the websites are only in Spanish. It does requiere a little bit of patience. To book rooms some places will require to make a request first through email, and after the request is accepted the room can be booked.


Hotel Club Frances (check prices and availability on their website)

Esplendor by Wyndham Buenos Aires Plaza Francia $$

Casa Bevant $$

Park Hyatt Duhau Palace $$$ 

Alvear Palace $$$$ (This is an iconic building, the architecture is exquisite, from a tea room to restaurants, prime location and elegant rooms)

Four seasons $$$$$ for the ones looking for luxury.



Safety advice

Please be aware that as in any other country in the world there are gorgeous places but if you turn into the wrong corner, the atmosphere/environment rapidly changes.


Something to know about Recoleta, the neighborhood can be extremely nice (very elegant, metropolitan, and with plenty of good hotels and gastronomic options) but there is a central station where all trains meet, that is not precisely that safe for tourists. This is around three blocks wide. Then a few blocks farther there is a very industrial/ sketchy area that is not ver pretty. Hope the helps when booking a stay. 

Food to try in Buenos Aires:

In Buenos Aires people eat four meals a day:

8/9 am BREAKFAST (Usually sweet meals)

12/1 pm LUNCH

5/6 pm MERIENDA (Tea/coffee with pastries, this is a very important meal for Argentine people)

10/11 pm DINNER


In Buenos Aires people do siesta time. For lunch the majority of restaurants will be open only until 2 P.M (3.PM the latest)


Places to have breakfast are open from 8 a.m to 10 a.m or so. For merienda, tea houses and bakeries are open from 5 p.m to 7 p.m.


For dinner, restaurants open back from 7/8 p.m to 12 or 1 a.m depending on the establishment.


STEAK!! Opposite to what you might be used if you come from the U.S, in Buenos Aires People eat steak cooked from medium to well done. Eating rare steak is uncommon, and you can also get sick. Argentina has the best meat in the world, and the meat is that good that if you cook it properly it tastes like heaven.


EMPANADAS: Argentina has the best empanadas in the world simply because they have the best meat in the world.


ENTRAÑA AND MOLLEJAS: The softest cut of meat, it is very tender and you can't find this anywhere else in the world!


MEDIALUNAS These sweet pastries look like a type of croissant but are way different. They are soft, and melt in your mouth like butter.


MASITAS SECAS Y FRESCAS: Delicious pastries that come in hundreds of varieties, these sweet little bites could be filled with cream, custard, chocolate, and topped with berries, pistachios, or sugar.


CHORIPAN: A very flavorful sausage, wrapped with the softest bread, topped with different types of sauces. The best spot to try a choripan is located in Plaza Serrano, Palermo, and it's called Chori.


MILANESAS: Breaded and fried beef, sometimes topped with marinara sauce, ham and mozzarella.


ICE CREAM: Argentina is well known for having good ice cream, shops are open until 1.a.m. Best Ice Cream shops: Volta, Rapa Nui


SANDWICHITOS DE MIGA: these small sandwiches are made with bread that goes through a very particular process, using only the softest part of the bread and leaving out the crust. They come in a variety of different flavors.


PASTAFROLA: sweet pie made with fig.


Reservations: please note that in many places throughout the city reservations are not accepted Sometimes you will have to get to the spot, put your name on a waitlist, and wait. If you plan to go somewhere, be there 30 min before the actual time you desire to get a table and sit down.


Best RESTAURANTS in Buenos Aires:



Malloy’s (San Isidro) A little bit farther north from city center.

Mooi (Belgrano) Giant servings, very tasty. Gourmet cuisine.

Don Julio Steak House (Palermo) Considered one of the best steak houses in the world.

Sushi Club (Recova) If craving some different type of food or you are tired of eating empanadas and steak this is an alternative.

La Farola There are a few locations for this low key restaurant with the best Milanesas—traditional dish— of the city.

Duhau Palace (Recoleta) This hotel has a nice restaurant and on Friday nights there is live jazz


Best BARS in Buenos Aires:

Day drinking is not a thing in Buenos Aires. Heavy nightlife starts at 11 p.m and goes until 4/5 a.m—or even later—which is why you’ll find some bars are closed during the day. They usually open at 7/8 p.m


Rabieta (Palermo): This is right by the horse race tracks. Beautiful atmosphere. Good to visit during late evening or late night.  https://www.rabieta.com.ar 

Buller Brewing (Recoleta): Nice rooftop with great views of the city. Good to visit during late afternoon, early evening.

Patagonia beer or Cerveza Patagonia: this brewery has a few locations. The one in Palermo is the best choice. This beer is made in a facility located in the Patagonia, using only mineral water that comes from the mountains. The taste is fesh and crisp. Good to visit during the day.

La Mala Pub (Palermo): This is a very lively spot that works mostly late at night, about 10/11 p.m

Florida 165 Rooftop Bar: Nice views of the city architecture -historical buildings, domes. Nice location.

Alvear Rooftop Bar (Recoleta): Sophisticated rooftop, signature cocktails, elegant atmosphere. Ideal for sunset.


There is an area called Plaza Serrano in Palermo, it works as a pedestrian street, well known for bar hopping. It is one of the few areas where people will be drinking during the afternoon when it's nice out.


Tea houses for Merienda in Buenos Aires:

Alice’s Tea House (San Telmo)

La Panera Rosa (locations in Palermo, and Recoleta)

Pani (Palermo)

Alvear Palace Tea time (Recoleta)

Alma Buenos Aires (Recoleta)

Café de Paris (Olivos). Café de Paris is very loved by the community. In 2020 this café was very close to shutting down due to the pandemic, but its waiters, who worked their entire lives in the establishment, put their savings together and saved the café. It is a good option to go for a walk by the water first (4/5 blocks away from the café). Then head to the café. If there is a line please wait, it is worth it.

Go to a Panaderia, buy some pastries and walk to the closest park to sit on a bench and enjoy your pastries.



What to do in Buenos Aires?


Buenos Aires is a big city (incredibly big), therefore there is plenty to do. Whether you plan to stay for a week, or two weeks, the highlights will be listed below to guarantee the best time.


Ateneo Grand Splendid Library: Considered one of the best libraries in the world, this is a wonderful spot for a 15 minute visit. Free entrance, no need of tickets. Opens every day 9 a.m to 9 p.m. On Sunday opens at midday.



Palermo Derby: It’s call hipodromo in Spanish, here is where people attend to see horse races on a nice day to enjoy outdoor time. To check the schedule visit the official website and make sure you doble check on the month of your visit since races change according to weather: https://www.palermo.com.ar/es


Barolo Palace: Beautiful architecture, get to the top of the palace and have a nice view of the city. Closed on Tuesdays. Please don't book this visit with Get your Guide Tour, or any other website. The official website is here, and prices will be fair here. https://palaciobarolo.com.ar/?lang=en


Columbus Theater (Teatro Colon): This is the place to go to enjoy a few hours of symphonic/opera. Buenos Aires is well known for its fine architecture, and this building does not disappoint. For guide visits and opening hours follow this link:


Recoleta Cemetery (Recoleta): This is not a sad/creepy cemetery, renowned Argentine figures rest in peace in this cemetery also known for its beautiful architecture, and the prime location. Opens every day from 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. The ticket is only 5 dollars, if you need a guide the cemetery will offer one that at the end will be tipped or it will just have a very small extra charge, but please do not book this with a website that is not the official because it will be way more expensive (about 30 dollars instead of $5) Once the ticket is purchased it can be used at any time, it doesn't have a time slot, nor a date. https://turismo.buenosaires.gob.ar/es/otros-establecimientos/cementerio-de-la-recoleta


Recoleta Cultural Center (Centro Cultural Recoleta): They have cool exhibits/sometimes live music/especial events going on. check their calendar for concerts, bars, exhibits. It's usually for free. http://www.centroculturalrecoleta.org


National Museum of Bellas Artes: This is an incredible museum, and my personal choice. This is a huge museum, but it won't take you three hours. It is not boring, the visit is smooth. Great artists. Can't ask for more. Check the website for opening hours, and tickets.


Chinatown: This is a pedestrian zone located in a beautiful neighborhood, near a very nice park. You can eat street food, buy fun stuff, and experience another side of the city.



Enrique Larreta Spanish Art: Great villa located in Belgrano turned into a museum. Tickets are $2 dollars. Closed on Tuesdays. Open from 11 a.m to 7 p.m, and on weekends until 8.pm.



Stroll through Plaza Serrano: Located in Palermo, this is an area of markets, shops, restaurants and bars.


Galileo Galilei Observatory: they have special exhibits and events, check their calendar and plan your visit here https://planetario.buenosaires.gob.ar



Pacific Galleries (Galerías Pacífico) If you like shopping I recommend this mall. It is very cute, clean, organized, makes the shopping experience very pleasant. The interior dome is exquisite, displaying an amazing piece of art on the ceiling. The entire building is magnificent. It is worth the visit. The painters in charge of the exquisite ceiling were Demetrio Urruchua, Antonio Berni amongst others. Built in 1889 by two architects Raul Le Levache and Emilio Agrelo.


Sunset Cruise in Puerto Madero:


8 Course Argentine Asado Experience:


t has three different options all of them starting every day at 9:30 p.m

1) just the tango show for $80 per person. Duration 75 min

2) tango show + 2 drinks $90 same duration

3) tango show + unlimited drinks + 3 course dinner + tango lessons. Duration 3 hours.


San Telmo Market: Absolutely recommend this market. The selection, the vendors, the variety. Everything on it is good. Opens every day from 9 a.m through 9 p.m but some vendors open only on weekends.


La Boca and El Caminito: This is a very colorful landmark, only a couple of blocks long,. It could take at most 45 minutes, walking very slowly, taking pictures and visiting every shop.




If you plan on cooking at your airbnb, note that Buenos Aires has different stores for different products to guarantee quality. In a VERDULERIA (green grocery) you will find fruits and vegetables. In a CARNICERIA (butcher) you will find the best meat quality. In a PANADERIA (PATTISERIE) you will find the best bread and baked goods. CASA DE PASTAS (PASTA STORE) where fresh pasta is made every morning ready to be boiled at home (ravioli/sorrentinos/tagliateli) Long lines to get pasta from this shops because it is incredibly tasty.

There are some big markets that have all in one (like in the U.S) but quality is not as good as purchasing separately.


Enjoy your stay!


The Wild Voyage

 
 
 

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