how
To Get There
Most international airlines fly out of the Ezeiza international airport. Domestic flights and some departures to Brazil and Uruguay use the downtown Aeroparque airport. Ezeiza is located about 21 miles, or 45 minutes, from downtown Buenos Aires. Taxis rides cost between $20-$25, plus a $2 freeway toll. Visas are required for business stays longer than 90 days.
To Get Around
The financial district, also known as the microcentro, is located downtown around the Plaza de Mayo, where the cathedral and the presidential palace are located. Commercial and entertainment districts are centered around Av. Corrientes, Av. Córdoba, Av. Santa Fé as well as Recoleta and Puerto Madero.
where
To Stay
When in Buenos Aires, we recommend staying at the palatial Alvear Palace Hotel (Av. Alvear 1891, Tel: 5411-4808-2100, www.alvearpalace.com), located in the Recoleta district. The Alvear is the city’s most luxurious hotel.
Design Suites (Marcelo T. de Alvear 1683, Tel: 5411-4814-8700), is a distinctive hotel that offers first-rate service housed in a sleek, contemporary building designed by Ernesto Goransky. The minimalist rooms have wooden floors, ample light and neutral colors.
Another top-notch hotel is the Four Seasons Buenos Aires (Posadas 1086, Tel: 5411-4321-1200, www.fourseasons.com/buenosaires). The hotel’s jewel is the period beauty of its early 20th century French-style mansion whose decadent suites are fully wired to the Internet.
To Eat
Some of the city’s best restaurants are located in Puerto Madero. The refurbished docks area by the River Plate is filled with fantastic restaurants with views of the river. Katrine (Alicia Moreau de Justo 138, Tel: 4315-6222), with a minimalist black and white décor, features excellent Mediterranean cuisine.
Cabaña Las Lilas (Alicia Moreau de Justo 310, Tel: 4313-1336) is a classic Argentine steakhouse that showcases the country’s beef. Estilo Campo (Alicia Moreau de Justo 1840, Tel: 4312-4546) is another outstanding parrilla. La
Caballeriza (Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 580, Tel: 4514-4444) is an excellent barbecue-grill in a large and lively setting.
Another good choice is Le Bibló (Salguero 2983, Tel: 4804-9210) in the exclusive Palermo Chico neighborhood. For truly top-of-the-line dining, go to La Bourgogne at the Alvear Palace Hotel (Av. Alvear 1891, Tel: 4805-3857).
To Drink
The bar at Museo Renault (Av. Figueroa Alcorta 3399, Tel: 480-29626), The Winery and Danzon are all excellent places to have a cocktail and relax. Señor Tango (Vieytes 1655, Tel: 4303-0231) offers a traditional tango show.
To Unwind
Go to the Buenos Aires Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Av de Libertador 1473). With impressionist paintings and an impressive collection of 19th and 20th century Argentine art, the museum is considered the country’s most important.
The Costantini collection at the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires is an important cultural highlight. Located at Avenida Madero 900, the museum features works by more than 80 artists and is the first permanent home for 20th century Latin American masterpieces by artists including Diego Rivera, Joaquín Torres-García, Frida Kahlo and Antonio Berni.
what
To Buy
Good local products to take home from Argentina include hand-made silver picture frames, wine from Mendoza, rodocrosita or Rose of the Inca, a distinctive Argentine pink stone, onyx, a facón, a local barbecue knife, and home-made Argentine jams. A small mall in Recoleta called Patio Bullrich is one of the best sources in Buenos Aires for sophisticated Argentine gifts and products.
2003 National Holidays
- January 1-New Year’s Day
- April 1-Malvinas
- April 18- Good Friday
- May 1-Labor Day
- May 26-Memorial Day
- June 20- Flag Day
- July 9- Independence Day
- August 17-Gen. Jose de San Martín
- October 12-Columbus Day
- December 25-Christmas Day