buenos aires vacation apartment rentals

Nature and Open Air in Buenos Aires

2009-07-10T15:14:00.000-07:00

Woods and lakes. Squares. An ecologic reservoir. Two coastal areas or Costaneras (North and South). Willow and alder woods. Streets and avenues flanked by jacarandas, ash trees, poplars, paraísos and tipas. Buenos Aires, unlike other big cities, has a lot of green spaces. You can see this just by walking around the city.

SQUARES
There are many more than in other cities. They have trees and seats. Many also have playgrounds. Porteños usually read the newspaper, play truco and sunbathe there. In addition, squares are used to make protests.

Exploring Buenos Aires

2009-07-04T09:10:00.000-07:00

If you have 3 days plan to spend half a day around Plaza de Mayo, El Centro, San Telmo, La Boca, Palermo, and La Recoleta. If you are in town on a weekend, visit La Recoleta on Saturday and San Telmo and La Boca on Sunday in order to visit the neighborhoods' outdoor arts-and-crafts markets. If you are in town on weekdays, stick to Palermo on Monday or Tuesday; its outdoor offerings will be open, whereas most museums are closed one of those two days. Schedule time for a siesta to allow you a lengthy night out at a club, bar, or performance, or an evening of tango.

Tango

2009-07-01T14:04:00.000-07:00

The tango is manifested in the lyrics - many of the words used in the tango come from lunfardo (porteños’ slang); in the music - the large accordion provided the music from the Río de la Plata with that melancholic and somewhat sullen sound that characterizes tango today; and in the dance – which is seen in tango shows and practiced in milongas).

CASAS DE TANGO
Buenos Aires is full of tango houses with live orchestras and dancers. The most important places that offer live shows usually include dinner (with options in Argentine beef or international menus).

What is a Porteño?

2009-06-30T15:55:00.000-07:00

Buenos Aires locals refer to themselves as Porteños because many of them originally arrived by boat from Europe and settled in the port area. With 85% of the Argentine population of European origin, there's a blurred sense of national identity in Buenos Aires - South American or European?

Buenos Aires has a mix of styles.

2009-06-24T06:16:00.000-07:00

Unlike most other Latin American cities, where the architecture reveals a strong Spanish colonial influence, Buenos Aires has a mix of styles. Modern high-rises sit side by side with ornate buildings from days long gone. At every turn you'll be reminded of the city's European heritage: with their boulevards lined with palatial mansions and spacious parks, the neighborhoods of El Centro, La Recoleta and Belgrano evoke Rome, Madrid, Paris, and Budapest. The Plazas of Palermo and Belgrano mirror those in Paris; Rome's Pantheon inspired the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora; the Avenida de Mayo has been compared to both Madrid and Budapest; and the Vatican Embassy on Avenida Alvear replicates the Jacquemart-Andre Museum in Paris. San Telmo and La Boca have a distinctly working-class Italian feel, in contrast to the stately aplomb of Plaza de Mayo and Avenida de Mayo.

Buenos Aires is the 9th. largest city in the world

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And the hub of the southern cone, is a sprawling metropolis rising from the Rio de la Plata and stretching more than 200 square km (75 square miles)to the surrounding pampas, the fertile Argentinian plains. With more than one-third of the country's 39 million inhabitants living in or around Buenos Aires, the city is the political, economic, and cultural center of Argentina and the gateway to the rest of the country.

Tipping

2009-06-07T12:34:00.000-07:00

Propinas (tips) range 10%-15% in bars and restaurants (10% is enough in a casual cafe or if the bill runs high). Note that some restaurants charge a cubierto, covering table service, not waiter's tip. Argentines round off a taxi fare, though some cabbies who frequent hotels popular with tourists seem to expect nmore. Hotel porters should be tipped at least 3 pesos. Also give doormen and ushers about 3 pesos. Beauty and barber shop personnel generally get around 10%.

Gay & Lesbian Travel

2009-06-05T08:43:00.000-07:00

In Buenos Aires, local attitudes towards same-sex couples are tolerant, and there are numerous gay bars, organizations, and publications. In the rural areas and small towns of Argentina, people are less accepting; still, though you may find people staring at public displays of affection, you shouldn't encounter any hostility.

Electricity

2009-06-04T16:01:00.000-07:00

The electrical current in Argentina is 220 volts, 50 cycles alternating current (AC); wall outlets usually take Continental-type plugs, with two round prongs or three flat, angled prongs.

To use electric-powered equipment purchased in the United States or Canada, bring a converter and adapter; some high-end accommodations provide these, but you're better off bringing them if you're unsure.

If your appliances are dual-voltage, you'll need only an adapter. Don't use 110-volt outlets marked FOR SHAVERS ONLY for high-wattage appliances such as blow-dryers. Most laptops operate equally well on 110 and 220 volts and so require only an adapter.

Boat and Ferry Travel

2009-06-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

Buquebus provides frequent ferry service between Argentina and Uruguay and has several packages and promotions.There are round trip rates for economy travel from Buenos Aires to the cities of Colonia, La Paloma, Montevideo, Piriapolis, and Punta del Este, all in Uruguay. All destinations, except Colonia, include bus transfers; the duration of the trip varies from 45 minutes to around 3 hours.

The more modest Ferry Lineas Argentina also serves the Buenos Aires - Uruguay route on a smaller scale with fewer boats per day; they sometimes work in conjunction with Buquebus.

Taxes

2009-05-29T09:28:00.000-07:00

Sales Tax (IVA) in Argentina is 21%. The tax is usually included in the price on your receipt. Keep your receipts: the IVA tax is entirely refundable for purchases exceeding $200 dollars at stores displaying a duty free sign. When you depart, plan enough time to visit the return desk at the airport to obtain your refund.

Car Rental

2009-05-21T12:56:00.000-07:00

Renting a car in Argentina is expensive. Extras such as car seats and air-conditioning drive the fee even higher. Keep in mind that almost all cars have manual transmission rather than automatic.

All cities and most areas that attract tourists have car rental agencies. You can also rent cars from airports and some hotels. If the rental agency has a branch in another town, arrangements can usually be made for a one-way drop off. Offices in Buenos Aires can make reservations in other locations; provincial government tourist offices also have information on car rental agencies.

An alternative to renting a car is to hire a remis, a car with a driver, especially for day outings. Remises are most comfortable and cheaper than taxis for long rides. They are also usually less expensive for rides within cities, especially on round trip journeys because there is no return fare.

Business Hours

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Banks and Offices

Official business hours are weekdays 9am to noon and 2pm to 7pm for offices and 9am to 3pm for banks; some currency exchange offices remain open until 7pm.

Museums and Sights

Museums are usually closed on Tuesday. Many close for one month during the summer.

Post Offices & Telephone Centers

Post offices are open weekdays from around 9am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm. Telephone centers generally stay open daily 8am to 8pm.

Shops

In Buenos Aires street shops are open weekdays 10am to 8pm to compete with the malls, which remain open until 10pm daily. On Saturday, street shops remain open until 1pm, and almost all are closed on Sunday. The larger, more modern supermarket chains are open daily until 9pm.

Airports & Transfers

2009-05-19T11:40:00.000-07:00

The major gateway to Argentina is Buenos Aires's Ezeiza International Airport, 47km (29 mi) and a 45 minute drive from the city center. Ezeiza, also known as Aeropuerto Internacional Ministro Pistarini, is served by a variety of foreign airlines, along with domestic airlines running international routes. Though Argentina has other international airports, they generally only serve flights from other South American countries.

Flights from Buenos Aires to other points within Argentina depart from the Aeroparque Jorge Newbery, a 15 minute cab ride from downtown.

Airport Transfers

Bus, van, taxi, and remis (car service charging a fixed, prearranged price) service is available at Buenos Aires's Ezeiza International Airport. There are several round-the-clock private bus and remis services run by licensed companies; buses depart from the airport at scheduled intervals while taxis and remises are readily available.

Transportation tickets can be purchased from the well-marked service counters right outside the customs area.

Buenos Aires Argentina Apartments Rentals

2007-06-16T23:13:00.000-07:00

Language

2006-03-28T13:37:00.000-08:00

"The official language is Spanish. Something to note is the use of vos (you) instead of the Spanish tu for informal treatment, and the use of che to address a person.
Currently, Buenos Aires receives tourists from varied nationalities that come for different purposes. Some come to shop, others to enjoy the night life and some others to taste the portenos bohemian lifestyle. Also, there are those who engage in an educational tour and want to study the Spanish language.
Several entities, academies, institutions and universities (among them the language Laboratory at the University of Buenos Aires) teach Spanish to foreign people, from beginner to advanced levels, or provide specialization on a specific field.
The portenos easily understand persons who speak Italian and Portuguese. Most people involved in tourist activities speak English."

Customs

2006-03-27T14:35:00.000-08:00

Buenos Aires has always been an open-door city. Its inhabitants are called porte�os, which makes reference to the fact that the city is a port. The inhabitant of the province of Buenos Aires is called bonaerense.
Porte�os are warm and hospitable: they usually invite tourists for lunch or dinner at their homes and prepare typical food.
The characteristic infusion is the mate. It is prepared by pouring warm water into a gourd, also called mate that contains yerba mate.
Some people add sugar, but most prefer 'un amargo' (a mate without sugar)."

Brief History Note on Buenos Aires

2006-03-23T18:25:00.000-08:00

"Buenos Aires was founded twice:
The first foundation was in 1536. Don Pedro de Mendoza, a Spanish colonizer, established the first settlement. He named it Ciudad del Esp�ritu Santo y Puerto Santa Mar�a del Buen Ayre. The second, and final, foundation was in 1580. Juan de Garay called the site Ciudad de Trinidad.

In the 19th. century, the port was the arrival point for the great migratory wave promoted by the Argentine State to populate the nation. Spanish, Italian, Syrian-Lebanese, Polish and Russian immigrants provided Buenos Aires with the cultural eclecticism that is so characteristic of the city.
During the 20th. century, successive immigrations - from the provinces, other Latin American countries and Eastern countries � completed the picture of Buenos Aires as a cosmopolitan city in which people with different cultures and religions live together."

BikeTours

2006-03-22T06:17:00.000-08:00

About us

Bike Tours is a totally different guided tourism, because it is done on bicycle, it allows you to be in contact with the environment.

We are a company run by young people, all tourism and recreation professionals.
We offer vacations on bicycle through different regions of our country and guided Spanish / English Tours around Buenos Aires and Mendoza or bicycle rentals.

All our Bike Tours around Buenos Aires were design for all ages, either tourist or residents. They are without doubt the most interesting and entertaining way of knowing our cities, learning its history and making new friends.
Security is our principal interest.
We ride through bicycle path avoiding traffic when possible and not a bit strenuous.
We invite you to join our programs and tours.

2006-03-21T09:55:00.000-08:00

Buenos Aires Oficial Tourism Site:

WEATHER
"The climate of Buenos Aires is mild all year round. The mean annual temperature is 18� C (64.4� F), making extremely hot and cold days very infrequent. Thus, visitors can enjoy walking around the city in any season.
July is the coldest month. Although frosts are rare, a woollen coat, a jacket or an overcoat and a scarf will be required when going out. In winter, cold is moderate during the day, but temperature considerably drops at night.
In summer, the weather is hot and humid. Mornings are warm and during midday and the first hours of the afternoon, the temperature rises. At night, temperature goes down slightly, so people may wear light clothes; coats are not needed.

Rains are more frequent in autumn and spring (from March to June and from September to December, respectively). They are mild or last a short time, thus activities are not hampered and people usually go out with an umbrella or a raincoat.

In the sunny days of autumn and spring, mornings are slightly cold; the temperature rises at midday and drops again at night."

Four Seasons Apartment Reviews

2006-03-20T16:22:00.000-08:00

Reviews for: Four Seasons Apartment

Review # 1
"I had a wonderful experience when renting the apartment on Posadas Street. The location is excellent as the apartment is located in Buenos Aries most upscale neighborhood. Some of the finest restaurants are just a 5 minute walk. In fact, the restaurants are just a few steps from the apartment building. You also have some fabulous hotels like the Hyatt and Four Seasons across the street and down the block. If you like shopping, check out the Bullrich shopping mall 1 block from the apartment.

Grace is a lovely lady and very professional. Grace's local assistant in Buenos Aires is Martha. Martha is very charming and will see to your needs. The apartment is immaculate. It's like a home away from home; if you know what I mean. Also there's 24 hour security in the building. The building staff is very courteous and attentive. Frankly, I will only stay in Grace's apartment whenever I'm in Buenos Aires. If you are traveling as a single person, this is the best place you'll find. I guarantee you'll love it.
Larry Green

Review # 2
Many thanks. We had a great time. It's a lovely apartment in a fantastic area and all the people (Martha, Gladys and the security staff) were great too. If you want to use us as a recommendation, feel free. Thank you for the full return. Much appreciated. Regards,
Colin & Mary

Review # 3
Hello Mr. and Mrs. N,
Thanks for your mail, and prompt Refund. We did have a great time at your place. It's a nice and comfortable appartment, very well located. Thanks for letting us stay there. We really enjoyed it.
Ricardo Edwards Braun

Review # 4
Thank you, Grace!
My stay at Posadas was wonderful, as usual. Also, I very much appreciated the additions to the apartment: answering machine, DVD player, and high-speed internet. Marta, Antonio, Juan Carlos (both of them), and Gladys were all very helpful and made my stay very pleasant and enjoyable.
I hope to stay there again soon.
Thank you,
Justin

Review # 5
Thank You Grace.
We are enjoying the property very much and will definitely consider renting again if available. The location could not be better and we found it spotlessly clean and very comfortable. Thank you for sharing it with us. I also appreciate your prompt return of the deposit. You were very nice to do business with.
Sincerely,
Mark Ensman

Review # 6
Dear friends,
We had a very good time in Buenos Aires. Your apartment was great.
Thanks.
Regards,
Manny and Marilyn Vegh

P.S. Thanks for the return of the damage deposit.

2006-03-10T04:35:00.000-08:00

Find vacation rentals for Buenos Aires - Articles on vacation rentals in Buenos Aires & Maps Buenos Aires vacation rentals Links.

More European than South American in flavor, Buenos Aires vacation rentals heart boasts bustling streets, grand avenues, old-time cafes and stylish restaurants. The locals at Buenos Aires are renowned for their flair and cockiness, even in times of adversity. It's a city of tragedy and elation; a vibrant, cosmopolitan one.

For the tourist, the city delivers. Wander cobbled streets, marveling at architectural glories and colorfully painted metal houses. Talk world politics and fútbol in atmospheric old cafes. Tuck into one of the famous Argentinian steaks to power a long night's partying.

Bs As' air of sophistication and pride may have taken a serious reality check in light of the country's ongoing economic and political turmoil, but its people are no strangers to drama of this magnitude and the city remains a safe, vibrant, cosmopolitan capital.

More European than South American in flavor, Bs As' Microcentro (downtown) heart boasts bustling streets, grand avenues, old-time cafes and stylish restaurants. The porteños (locals), renowned for their flair and cockiness, even in times of adversity, are suffering a collective bruised ego these days. However, it is all just another part of the complex and extreme Bs As, a history full of tragedy and elation, an ongoing drama that the city's people are inextricably bound to.

Getting Around

Although Greater Bs As has swollen to 13 million people, most tourists stick to the Capital Federal, which is home to a mere 3 million porteños (locals) and is divided into 48 barrios (neighborhoods). Once you get your head around the barrios and sub-neighborhoods that complicate the city's layout, Bs As become easier to navigate. The Microcentro, or downtown precinct, provides access to the most interesting barrios and entertainment areas along the Avenidas of Corrientes, Córdoba and Santa Fe, and the pedestrian-only streets of Florida and Lavalle. The Avenida 9 de Julio, is an unmistakable point of reference; its 16 lanes of traffic run from San Telmo in the south to Retiro up.