Buenos Aires Area
When first arriving in Buenos Aires, one is struck by how similar it is to some cities found in Europe with its beautiful old buildings, winding roads and inviting parks. The differences appear as one starts to explore the city. Meat lovers will be in heaven here as meat is the primary dish just about everywhere you go. Visitors can also get a glimpse of street dancers performing the Tango in hidden plazas, as well as in more up-scale restaurants and bars. Rich in history and culture, Buenos Aires is a city that won't disappoint.
Highlights of Buenos Aires
- Teatro Colón
- San Telmo
- Cementerio de la Recoleta
- El Tigre
- Tango show
Historical Sites
Teatro Colón
If you are a fan of the arts, try to catch a ballet or opera at the Teatro Colón. For those who don't care as much about watching a show, the theater offers tours that are definitely worth taking. Unlike many tours of historical sites in other parts of the world, it's not uncommon for tour guides to allow visitors to sit in specially reserved seats so that they can get a taste of how the "other" half live. The Theater was opened in 1908, and seats over 2500 people. In the past, widows were relegated to sit behind metal grates at floor level so that they could still enjoy the shows without being inappropriately "seen" in public.
San Telmo
Known as the historical district of Buenos Aires, San Telmo is a charming and interesting part of the city to visit. On Sundays, there is usually a small street market in the main plaza where you can find old antiques and watch people dancing the tango on pieces of cardboard. The plaza is surrounded by charming cafes where you can sit and have a drink while watching people walk by. There are some good restaurants in the area as well, but watch your pocketbook as this area is not as safe as some others in Buenos Aires.
Cementerio de la Recoleta
Recoleta is known as one of Buenos Aires most exclusive neighborhoods and that is where the famous Cementerio de la Recoleta is located. Many of Argentina's most famous historical figures are buried here, the most beloved of which is Eva Peron. Even if you don't care about who is buried here, it's still nice to walk among the beautiful statues and monuments erected in honor of those who died. It's interesting to note that the tradition of only putting a death date, and not a birth date is still maintained today. Opening hours are from 7am-6pm.
Activities
Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA)
This museum houses some famous works of art produced by Latin American greats such as Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Emilio Pettoruti, and Xul Solar-to name a few. Opening hours are Wed.-Mon. 12pm-8pm. Additional information may be found at the museum's website: www.malba.org.ar.
Tango Show and Dinner at El Viejo Almacen
Leaving Buenos Aires without seeing some Tango would be like going to Spain and missing-out on the Flamenco. The city is full of great places to catch a tango show, but we recommend El Viejo Almacen, located in the historical district of San Telmo. El Viejo Almacen opened in 1798 as a General Store, and through the years, has played a historic role in Argentine history. Additional information about El Viejo Almacen may be found at: www.viejoalmacen.com. ISE Cardholders will receive a 5% discount.
El Tigre
For those interested in seeing a little bit of the area outside of Buenos Aires, a trip to the Tigre is definitely worthwhile. The Tigre is located right on the Delta and offers great restaurants, a quaint market, as well as boat trips through its winding waterways.
Places to Stay
Hostels
There are a wide variety of hostels in Buenos Aires. To search for hostels online with full descriptions, photos and availability information, please access the following link: http://reservations.bookhostels.com/isecard.com/. You will receive $2.00 off of the reservation fee by booking through this site.
Places to Eat
Romanaccio Bar-Pizzas-Empanadas
Avenida Cabildo 3610
Bueno Aires 1429
54 11 4511 3511
30% off for ISE Cardholders
Panquecon Restaurante/Café/Bar
Tinogasta 3218
Buenos Aires
54 11 4501 6070
10% off for ISE Cardholders on all menu items (specials excluded)
Estilo Argentino-Parrilla Tipica Argentina
Avenida Corrientes 6399
Buenos Aires 1427
54 11 4855-7811
10% off for ISE Cardholders on weekends.
Pernambuco Cybercafe
Avenida Corrientes 1686
Buenos Aires 1042
54 11 4383 4666
15% off of food items for ISE Cardholders
Getting Around
Train
Trains in Buenos Aires are quite efficient and, while a bit old, will get you where you need to go. The Retiro Train station is centrally located and there is a nice tourist train option for those interested in heading to the Tigre area.
Subway
There are also subways available which offer a quick and easy way to move around the city. Don't expect anything modern here either as it has been said to be the oldest subway system in South America!
Bus
There are plenty of buses in Buenos Aires, but the train or subway are probably a less complicated option.
Taxi
Taxis are in abundance in Buenos Aires and are reasonably priced for travel within the city limits. They are also an interesting way to learn more about the city as some taxi drivers are more than willing to offer their input!
Moving On
Ferry
Since Buenos Aires is next to the Atlantic, it is possible to take Ferries or Hydrofoils up the coast. There are frequent ferry services to Uruguay.
Air
International flights out of Buenos Aires tend to depart out of the Aeropuerto Internacional Ministro Pistarni (Ezeiza). Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (Aeroparque) services the domestic and regional flights.
Bus
There are a wide variety of bus services that service virtually any destination in Argentina. The bus terminal is next to the Retiro Train Station in downtown Buenos Aires.
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