Local volunteers to show you around
by mrtourne
I came across this organization the other day, they were covered in Clarin (the biggest newspaper in Buenos Aires) and it sounds like a good option to try out - it's called "Cicerones de Buenos Aires" and it's modeled after the "Big Apple Greeters" in New York. They are basically a group of volunteers who are argentine and speak foreign languages and are willing to show you around Buenos Aires, which may be a good thing to have when trying to find some off-the-beaten-path activities.
They are sponsored by the Buenos Aires City government and the Argentine Tourism office, which gives them a bit more clout (and let's be honest, makes you feel safer)
One more thing: the service is absolutely free!
To reach them, check the form under "Visitors" on their web site : http://www.cicerones.org.ar
Yerba Mate
by hekate
It is not unusual to see people having their mate pots with them. I had the feeling that some of them were drinking litters a day of this typical South American tea :)))
Well, I had tryed it twice once from the pot of the driver of our bus and the other time in Teatro Colone. I needed to go to the bathroom, so I went but I had to wait my turn, there was a guard who was drinking his mate, so he offered to me and one other Bulgarian guy to try it :))). So, it has very specific taste but it is still nice. I would recommend you to try it :)
The picture is not mine, I took it from Yerba Mate Online website. If you are interested to know more about mate you will find quite a lot of info there. I could have my own picture but I forgot to take one before giving as a present the mate pot I bought in Iguassu :)
The Guide
by leok
Time Out's city guide to Buneos Aires is the bible of where to go and what to do. After a quick rundown on the history of the city the majority of the book is dedicated to highlighting the best of the city. It's particularly strong on nightlife and restaurants - the second edition was published this year so it's completely up to date. The book also contains detailed colour maps of the city with the subte laid out over them so it's very easy to navigate your way around the huge metropolis.
Several other travellers also agreed this was the best guide book to the city - but it's surprisingly hard to find once you arrive so best to buy in advance. It's superiority is probably down to the fact it is written by experts living in the city rather than 'travel-writers' who passed through.
The company also do a Patagonia guide - but if you plan to travel far beyond Buenos Aires you might want to consider the Lonely Planet (see my Argentina page).
PLAZA ALEMANIA
by mtncorg
There are many plazas on the north side of BsAs dedicated to foreign countries: Canada, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Ecuador. Here, on the north side of Avenida del Libertador and at the eastern end of the large Parque 3 de Febrero, is Germany’s. The plaza’s central monument, donated by the German community of BsAs on the centennial of the May 1810 revolution, commemorates the wealth of Argentine agriculture. Around the base of the monument are plaques for the different Laender – states – of Germany.
b1bob's Buenos Aires shopping tip nº 7
by b1bob about Maybe Leather Factory
Maybe is a leather goods shop on the Avenida de la Florida. December, 2001 was a trying economic time for Buenos Aires. They literally had employees coax folks in from the streets. I was coaxed in by the owner. He was so nice that I almost didn't have the heart to tell him that I didn't have any use for leather. It was 95°F (35°C) on 24 December 2001. The owner pointed out it was cold up where I live at that time of year. (I was painfully aware of that on my arrival.) Even if I wanted it, I had no place to pack it.
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on the way to La Boca
Another view of the copula
View from terrace
street dancers
