Buenos Aires

Urban transport

The city of Buenos Aires has a transport system that features a subway network that connects the different neighborhoods to the city center and over 180 bus lines that permit the visitor to travel long distances for only ninety cents.

Subways

The subte (as it is called by porteños) or Metro is the quickest means of transport, the most frequent (every four minutes) and safest of the city, as well as one of the most inexpensive, it connects different parts of the city through it six lines. The SUBE pass is sold at the stations. Buenos Aires was the first city in Latin America with subway transportation and it was inaugurated in 1913. At that time only ten cities had subways. Today’s network has six lines A, B, C, D, E and H. Subways are open Mondays through Saturdays from 5.00 am to 10.30 pm. Sundays and holidays from 8 am to 10 pm. You can check out the stations and lines on the free QuickGuide Buenos Aires at your hotel.

Taxis

Taxis are easily recognizable; they are black with yellow a yellow roof. Although taxis may be stopped anywhere on the street, it is safer to call radio taxis by phone (request number and plate number are registered). The meter starts at 35 pesos and costs 9 pesos every 2 block or one-minute wait. Contact Mendoza Holidays for private transfers from Ezeiza International Airport or Domesti Aeroparque Jorge Newbery to downtown Buenos Aires.

Car Rental

There are various national and international car rental companies that offer their services in the city of Buenos Aires. If you decide to rent a car, bear in mind that driving in Buenos Aires is not always easy. It is necessary to use caution in the hectic city traffic, lock the doors and keep windows closed. Avoid the Microcentro during the day, because the traffic is crazy. The minimum age to rent a car is 21.

Airports

Ezeiza International Airport (5480-6111, from 8 am to 8 pm, English, French, German and Italian). 45 minutes away from downtown of the city, Ezeiza is a modern international Airport. To get there, remises, taxis and vans transport passengers from various hotels.

Jorge Newbery Domestic Airport (5480-61111, from 8 am to 9 pm) Located 25 minutes from downtown on Costanera Norte. Flights arrive and depart to the Argentine provinces as well as to and from Uruguay and Chile.

Buenos Aires Airport

Every day and with a high frequency, there are ferries that link Buenos Aires to Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, and Colonia, a charming Uruguay city. For travelers who want to visit the city of Punta del Este, the same company offers a bus service to the city. Information: Buquebus, 4316-6500, www.buquebus.com

Trains

Trains are the fastest and most used means of transport in and out of the city. From the Retiro Terminal trains leave to the north of Great Buenos Aires, from Plaza Constitución to the southern area, and from Lacroze station to the north east. Since 1917 there is an electric service that links Tigre to Retiro. This is the shortest line (45 minutes to Tigre, the Delta), it has air conditioning and the most expensive fare is 2.20. It is the only recommended train for its comfort. It is advisable no to take the other trains.

The other exception to this means of transport is Tren de la Costa, which gets to the Tigre Delta along the coast of the Río de la Plata. It is very much used for Delta tours. To take this train, you must first take the TBA train at Retiro Station, Mitre line and change at Maipú station. It is approximately a 30 minutes trip, www.trendelacosta.com.ar

The city amazes everyone with a distinction that makes it stand out from others and turns it unclassifiable. Below a compass for travelers who do not want to miss anything:

Downtown, Buenos Aires

Nowhere else in Buenos Aires will the traveler feel so closely the buzz of buses –colectivos-, the city’s public transportation, because the sidewalks of the business district are pretty much the narrowest in town. During the day, the downtown area lives at the frenetic pace of finances where everybody seems to be late. Like in Wall Street, the ground here never gets direct sunlight. Its buildings rise on 25 de Mayo, Reconquista and San Martín streets, as well as Córdoba and Corrientes Avenues. The urban landscape changes whet the night falls, and the area transforms into a refuge to sip good drinks or a glass of wine.

This is the ideal mal for those who like shopping in a classic and elegant setting. The mall occupies a recycled building at the intersection of Florida and Córdoba Avenues. The excellent quality stores match the architectural and artistic value of this century old building. Under the dome decorated with numerous murals of prestigious artists, there are over 132 stores featuring the best national and international brands.

Neighborhoods/ Barrios

A must walk around the fifty neighborhoods of Buenos Aires not to miss the essential things to see. If you would like to imagine the origins of Buenos Aires City there is an infallible formula: Wandering about San Telmo. This historic district of cobbled streets hosts old houses, many of which have been recycled to shelter the comfort of modern times but without losing their colonial spirit. The best antique shops and artisans that work on silver and leather have also settled down in San Telmo. Travelers who chose to visit it on Sundays will find on endless flea market offering antiques on Plaza Defensa and plenty of street shows to listen and watch tango dancers.

This region of La Boca was settled by Italian immigrants. It is the most colorful neighborhood in the city with its brightly painted wooden houses and uneven cobbled streets. The most interesting attractions are the Vuelta de Rocha, from where the port and ancient bridge can be seen, the ship graveyard and the Caminito, an old railway line converted into a pedestrianized street where art fairs are held.

Until not long ago, the Río de la Plata seemed to be far from Buenos Aires. But in the 90s, the city conquered the river again. As a result, Puerto Madero was born with the recycling of century-old docks. The area became one of the most exclusive of the city. The brick warehouses are now modern lofts of the most expensive offices in the city. Puerto Madero is an ultrachic urbanization with an excellent gastronomic offer overlooking the river.

Palermo is the largest and liveliest neighborhood of Buenos Aires. This is so much so that nobody dares define its silhouette as a static map. That’s why, remember this tip: Palermo is not only one. There are as many "Palermos” as trends, movements and styles as a cosmopolitan city like Buenos Aires has. Formally, Palermo starts in Santa Fe Avenue and goes up to the Río de la Plata, but that border has been blurred long ago, and today is stretches far beyond Cordoba Avenue.

A diverse world that encompasses the elegance of Palermo Chico, the intense greenery of the Botanic Garden, the colors and originality of Palermo Soho, the world flavours of the restaurants in Palermo Hollywood, and the most sought-after shopping opportunities, just a few steps away. Which is, then, the secret of Palermo’s seduction? Among the old recycled houses, the few suriving mechanic’s, the hyper modern buildings, the clothing stores and specialty shops, month after month, new bars, restaurants, and stores emerge respecting the classic and bohemian air under the century-old trees and some still cobbled streets. The mutation is so incessant that even the neighbors are surprised at its speed. With this postcard, Palermo invites locals and visitors to have a good time.

Country and relax, very close

Without need to travel long distances, travelers may come across the best post car of Argentine. Jus visit the outskirts of the city of Buenos Aires to enjoy the amazing Argentine countryside, relax at a labyrinth green delta, wander around a quiet town trek through the hills or enjoy or enjoy de breeze of the Atlantic coastline.

Is not necessary to travel hundreds of kilometers the exciting urban landscape of Buenos Aires to become a countryside postcard, a wild relaxing delta or a small charming town. Any of these can happen to the traveler who visit the outskirts of the Argentine Capital. This nearby tour will take you to the province of Buenos Aires, which will undoubtedly, amaze you. Argentina’s largest province has thirteen million inhabitants in 134 districts around the federal capital. The strategic location allows travelers to visit charming places in one day get-always within a short distance.

The Delta, a water paradise

No one could imagine that less than thirty kilometers from downtown there is an amazing delta. The Paraná Delta is located to the north east of the province and it is a green landscape formed by islands with lush vegetation encompassing more than 3 thousand square kilometers. It is, actually, a labyrinth of rivers, channels and waterways that can be sailed on speedboats and catamarans. It is so close to the Obelisk that the traveler will be under the impression that it has left it behind just a few minutes before getting to this natural wonder.

The islands are a refuge for relaxing. Constructions are built on piles and many of them have first-rate accommodation facilities, as well as spas and restaurants that offer the possibility of spending a peaceful day. A paradise for long walks in the jungle, water sports and photo safaris, as well as bird watching and ecotourism tours, sport fishing focuses on dorados and bogas.

Before getting to the Delta, the traveler arrives first at Tigre, the doors to this water labyrinth. It is worth stopping at the coast. There are tourists and commercial boats that set off from the port and will take you floating down river ways. The pier is surrounded by good restaurants to eat in the sun and the nearby Fruit Port (Puerto de Frutos), featuring a craft fair with over 150 vendors. A must walk is Paseo Victoria, the extensive and well-taken-care of thoroughfare along the Luján river that stretches up to the Tigre Art Museum. Its palace like style with impeccable gardens, trails and bowers is surrounded by a magnificent building that was the first casino in the country and the old Tigre Club Hotel.

Tango is synonymous with Buenos Aires, and the dance is kept alive through nightly shows performed by professionals. But a completely different experience can be had in Mataderos in the west, where you can enjoy a traditional asado (barbecue) or purchase some local ‘gaucho’ handicrafts.

This is a constantly changing, diverse city, where the ancient and modern exist side by side. The Avenida General Paz is the boundary between the main city and the suburbs. Beyond this road are residential and industrial areas.

In the province of Buenos Aires the pampas stretch on and on as far as the eye can see. This is the home of the gaucho, and just as in days gone by, they can still be seen showing of their skills in breaking in horses, cattle branding and rodeos. The delta of the Río Paraná, with its islands of rich vegetation, offers the delight of the unexplored along with fishing. The best beaches of the Atlantic Ocean are found at Mar del Plata, Pinamar, Cariló, Necochea, Villa Gesell, Miramar and San Clement del Tuyú, where there is a dolphin, killer whale and seal show.

Excursions

City tour

This tour offers all the magic of Argentinean’s capital in a three hour visit. Tourists will discover the magnificent Barrio Norte, Palermo and the beauty of the parks and buildings. We will also visit the Aeroparque Metropolitano (the city center airport), situated just in front of Río de la Plata’s promenade, and the Teatro Colón, considered to be one of the five most important theatres in the world. We will also visit the city’s most important buildings, the Palacio de Tribunales, Congreso Nacional, Cabildo, and Casa Rosada, each one in a different architectural style.

We then move on to San Telmo, home of the Buenos Aires élite until the end of the nineteenth century, colorful La Boca, the picturesque Italian immigrant neighborhood and the port area, to round off this excursion which takes place every day, morning and afternoon.

Fiesta gaucha

This eight hour excursion includes a folk song and dance show and a display of gaucho riding skills at one of the region’s famous ranches. The humid Argentinean pampas, one of the most fertile plains in the world, is famous for its meat and cereal production. This tour includes a barbecue lunch, accompanied by Mendoza’s fines wines.

Nightlife

Buenos Aires nightlife is famous for the huge variety of entertainment on offer. There are no end of activities for the tourist to choose from. You could choose to eat in a typical restaurant, and enjoy performance classics such as ‘El Viejo Almacén’, ‘Señor Tango¨, ¨Rojo Tango¨, ¨Tango Porteño¨’ or ‘El Querandí’. Or you could opt for a meal with a show in one of the city’s best night spots like  ‘Michelángelo’, ‘La ventana’ or ‘Tango mío’, or eat in a cantina in La Boca and enjoy typical Italian food, dancing and a show, or in the select restaurants of Puerto Madero, Recoleta or Las Cañitas.

Tigre and the Delta

This four hour excursion includes a trip along the canals of delta and a visit to the residential northern suburbs, which is also the location of the president’s residence. This beautiful, magical part of the river is situated just 30 km from the capital. The town of Tigre is the point of access to the Río Paraná delta, where the islands and river tributaries from a fan shape. This is the ideal recreation spot, perfect for water skiing, rowing, sailing and fishing.

Further Destinations:

In other sections of this site you will find full descriptions to places like Iguazu Waterfalls, Bariloche, El Calafate, Ushuaia, etc.

 
Check out our Best of Buenos Aires Tour here!

Get the most from your vacation to Argentina. Let the travel professionals at Mendoza Holidays arrange the perfect vacation for you, while saving you money and eliminating the inconvenience of handling overseas arrangements.