Buenos Aires
May 24 - 27, 2019 (4D3N): When I first saw Evita in 1996, I knew I had to visit Buenos Aires (BA) one day! The city, being Argentina’s big, cosmopolitan capital, is even more beautiful in person. Flights from NYC to EZE are all red eyes (~10 hrs) so you get to save time by flying at night. As such, we visited BA plus Colonia in Uruguay during a 4-day long weekend. During our trip, we met the friendliest people - starting with my neighbor on the plane Ariel, then our tour guide Simon, to the bartender Petra, and finally a couple that we have befriended (Daniel & Emilio). With an all time low exchange rate, make Buenos Aires your next destination!
*Highly Recommended for food & drinks
Day 1
10am: Arrive at EZE
Taxi Ezeiza (1290 pesos or 30 USD cash) to Palo Santo Hotel
Lunch @ Chori* (best chorizo sandwich;12:30pm-12:30am)
Café near Plaza Armenia
2:15-4:15pm: Free Buenos Aires Historical walking tour (with tour guide - Simon)
Viewpoint @ Galeria Guemes (100 pesos; 3-5:40pm)
Grab a slice of pizza @ Guerrin*
Check out the ceiling at Galerias Pacifico
Wine @ Aldo’s Restoran & Vinoteca* (try Collovati torrentes)
Dinner @ Mirutaki (definitely skip - rude staff and ramens were not authentic)
Midnight: Drinks @ Aldo’s Restoran & Vinoteca* (ask for Petra and try the Argentinian Old Fashion & Liberidate Sour)
Day 2
Breakfast buffet @ hotel
Take the subte to San Telmo
Coffee @ Plaza Dorrego
Get alfajores @ Havana
Check out the hanging umbrellas @ Solar del French
12pm: National Historical Museum (50 pesos; English tour Friday, Saturday and Sunday at noon)
Walk the Caminito
Walk around Usina del Arte while waiting for the table at El Obrero
Lunch @ El Obrero (traditional bodegon style; closed on Sunday; very long wait)
Paseo de la Gloria (look for the missing Messi statue)
Walk across the Women’s Bridge
Fragata ARA Sarmiento (50 pesos; 10am-7pm)
8-midnight: Tango dinner & show @ Esquina Homero Manzi* ($60; pick up between 8-8:30pm)
Drinks @ Oh No! Lulu* & Festival
Day 3
8:15am-6:15pm: Day trip to Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay via ferry
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (free on Sunday & Wed after 645pm, or 200 pesos, closed on Monday)
Dinner @ Parrilla Don Julio* (free sparkling wine while you wait)
Day 4
Breakfast buffet @ hotel
El Ateneo Grand Splendid (bookstore in the former opera house)
11:15am-1:20pm: Meet Simon for the Recoleta walking tour:
Palacios Paz y Anchorena
Torre Monumental (El Big Ben Buenos Aires)
Teatro Colon (take a photo outside or go in for a tour @ 800 pesos or 600 pesos M-S from 9 to 11am and 3:30 to 5pm + Sunday all day)
Cementerio de Recoleta (look for Evita’s tomb on Google map)
Gomero de Recoleta (200+ years old tree)
Walk down Alvear Avenue to check out beautiful mansions/hotels and shop @ Arandu Talabartería (high quality leather goods)
Drinks @ Prado y Neptuno
Late lunch @ Cerveceria Lopez*
Uber to airport (~700 pesos) or taxi (990 pesos)
7:50pm: Flight back to Newark
Other points of interest & food
Tour @ Casa Rosada (Free; English tour is on Saturday at 12:30pm only; booking opens up 2 weeks in advance)
Watch opera @ Teatro Colon
Feria artesenal de plaza serrano (flea market; weekend only)
8-course asado tasting menu @ Fogon
Steak @ Nuestro Secreto
Pasta @ La Alacena
Peron Peron Resto Bar (Eva and Juan Peron bar; closed on Sunday)
Drinks
Cerveceria Nacional (beer)
La Catedral Club (Tango club)
Floreria Atlantico (speakeasy)
Tips:
Uber is still illegal in BA so you will need to order a taxi when leaving from the airport. Once you are inside BA or heading to the airport, you are good to take Uber but someone must sit in the front passenger seat.
Taking the subte is relatively easy and economical, you can share one card between multiple passengers, minimal refill is 50 pesos and works on the bus as well. When taking the bus, you need to tell the driver where you are going so he can charge your accordingly.
The tour at the Teatro Colon is quite expensive, consider attending an opera there.
If you are looking to join a guided walking tour (free, gratitude are appreciated), please text Simon Chacon @ +54 9 11 6852-6656 via whatsApp.
Make sure you visit areas like San Telmo and La Boca during the day!
