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by / December 14th, 2008

Have a question about Buenos Aires? Have a tip you’d like to share? Post it below.

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  1. ilovesteak Says:
    December 26th, 2008 at 9:52 pm

    I really like your blog.

    I’m thinking of travelling to BA to study Spanish.
    Can you tell me a good place to study? Also, do you know if the Spanish in Argentina is similar to the spanish in Mexico?

    I’m looking to study full time for a month or so.

    thanks.

  2. CJ Says:
    December 29th, 2008 at 8:27 pm

    There are lots of good Spanish schools in Buenos Aires, particularly in Microcentro, which is the downtown area. EBAtrust, Lenguas Vivas, Ibero and Coined are popular. Here’s a link to an article that discusses Spanish immersion in Buenos Aires in detail:

    http://www.study-spanish-language.com/spanish-immersion-argentina.htm

    The accent in Argentina is a little different than the accent in Mexico. And of course some of the slang expressions are different.

    Otherwise, the main difference is that people in Argentina use different grammar for second-person, familiar. They use the pronoun “vos” instead of “tú”. Here’s a link to an explanation of “vos”:

    http://www.study-spanish-language.com/conjugating-vos.htm

  3. Kelly Says:
    December 30th, 2008 at 4:27 am

    What are the beaches like?

  4. CJ Says:
    January 2nd, 2009 at 4:31 pm

    Kelly, there aren’t any beaches in Buenos Aires. In fact, the popular beaches are hours away.

    The most popular beach areas are Mar del Plata and Punta del Este.

    Mar del Plata is about a 5 hour bus ride south of Buenos Aires.

    Punta del Este is in Uruguay. The trip also takes about 5 hours. First you have to take the ferry (which is called Buquebus) to either Colonia or Montevideo, then take the bus from there. You could take a bus all the way but the trip will be much longer.

  5. Woody Stephenson Says:
    February 2nd, 2009 at 7:17 pm

    Are you familiar with American companies who have a significant workforce in Argentina/Buenos Aires? Can you provide me names of any? My interest is especially in a mid to senior level position that required long term relocation, or frequent trips, to BA.

    I have a tremendous attraction to give BA a try, but a simple move is not practical. I do have an undergraduate degree, an MBA in progress, 8 years with Fortune 200 organizations, a career focus on Quality/Process Improvement, and I speak basic Spanish for now. I live in San Antonio, TX, therefore a large, multicultural city like BA seems like a perfect destination. Although I realize there would be changes, my lifestyle is that of a middle-class, 130K/year household. All employer referrals and employment suggestions are greatly appreciated.

    One additional question – is personal travel away from BA relatively safe? Are roadblocks, muggings and hijacks frequent in rural areas?

    Thank you.

    Sincerely,
    Woody Stephenson

  6. CJ Says:
    February 6th, 2009 at 4:27 am

    Woody, it’s tough to make a good salary in Buenos Aires. You might want to link up with this Facebook group of expats and entrepreneurs to hear their stories and get advice on job opportunities.

    http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=37266779327

    I’ve gone to their get-togethers and the people are keen to network.

    As to your question on safety, rural areas are pretty safe for travel. However it is common for police officers to pull drivers over for dubious reasons so they can extort a “fine” of 50 pesos or whatever amount is negotiated. They often pull over buses and “fine” them. The driver will then collect a few pesos from each passenger. It’s corruption.

  7. JW Says:
    February 8th, 2009 at 3:56 am

    Hi.

    This is my first time ever going to BsAs and I’m going to sound excessively paranoid but I do have a few questions:

    1. Is USD generally accepted when I make purchases or is it a better bet to just change into ARS and use that when I arrive?

    2. I’m reading about advisories to be “street smart” but I’d like to take pictures with my digital camera in BA. Is the crime in the tourist areas of BA bad enough that if I pull out my camera to take pictures then put it back in a bag, I’d easily get mugged?

    3. I also read about security personnel stealing valuable stuff from checked baggage after they go through the x-ray. Does this still happen?

    thanks,

    -JW

  8. CJ Says:
    February 9th, 2009 at 8:22 pm

    Answer to JW:

    1) You will need Argentine pesos — it’s the local currency. USD is not widely accepted but you can use USD in places like major shopping malls and hotels.

    2) I think the best approach is as you suggest: take out the camera when you need it, then put it away when you don’t.

    3) Last month a friend of mine discovered her camera was stolen from her checked luggage when she arrived in Buenos Aires. It could have happened on transfer at Mexico City or at EZE. I would suggest keeping all valuables in your carry-on.

  9. randy Says:
    March 9th, 2009 at 5:03 pm

    how to i find an apt to rent in recoleta or palermo chico from an owner w/out going thru an agency

  10. CJ Says:
    March 27th, 2009 at 8:02 pm

    randy – To find an apartment without going through an agency you can try Craigslist or maybe the forums at baexpats.org.

    I just set up a free classified ads section on this blog so owners can post details about apartments they have for rent.

    Also I recently wrote a blog posting about renting from a local owner at http://www.batips.com/apartments/renting-a-furnished-apartment-from-a-local-owner/.

  11. randy c Says:
    March 27th, 2009 at 8:13 pm

    Thanks for the great tips.

  12. randy c Says:
    March 28th, 2009 at 12:46 pm

    What the best site/s or agency to purchase cheap tickets from BsAs to the USA or London.

    Thank you.

  13. CJ Says:
    April 15th, 2009 at 4:51 pm

    I’m not sure about the best place for cheap tickets from BsAs. Maybe start with despegar.com

    http://www.despegar.com

  14. Sarah Says:
    April 17th, 2009 at 4:26 pm

    I live in BA and need to receive my school textbooks from the United States by May 26. I know for sure that my friends back in the states have send me gift packages and they never arrived at my apartment. How can I be certain that my books will arrive? Do you know if I can get them sent to a specific place other than my apartment? The post office seems quite crazy, but is it my best bet? I live in the Microcentro.

    Thanks for any advice you might have!

    -Sarah

  15. CJ Says:
    April 17th, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    Sarah – I’m not really sure on this one. I think your best bet is to post your question to the community of expats at:

    http://www.baexpats.org or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BANewcomers/

    I think someone at one of those two sites will have a good answer.

  16. martina kohl Says:
    May 14th, 2009 at 11:54 am

    Hi there,

    i was wondering where i could take a good spanish course (4-5 hours daily) in BA.
    I am an absolute beginner. How much can i expect to pay for a course?
    i am planning on spending one month there!

    martina

  17. CJ Says:
    May 19th, 2009 at 3:16 pm

    Martina, I’d suggest Ebatrust or Coined, but there are many to choose from. Expect to pay about $145 per week for 20 hours of group lessons. There is a good listing of schools at 123teachme.com

  18. Dad Says:
    June 26th, 2009 at 8:27 pm

    Is this a place (Palermo) you would want your daughter to attend foreign studies as an american exchange student. Is it safe for her alone to spend four months?

  19. CJ Says:
    June 26th, 2009 at 10:23 pm

    To Dad: Yes, Palermo and Recoleta are probably the safest neighborhoods so that would be the best part of the city for her. I’m sure it will be a wonderful experience for her.

  20. Doina Popescu Says:
    September 21st, 2009 at 10:55 pm

    I have to go from Buenos Aires to Montevideo in December. Am I allowed to bring my small dog on board of the Buquebus

  21. randy Says:
    October 3rd, 2009 at 8:23 pm

    i want to visit ushuaia in mid nov from bs as. what are the tours would you recommend and how would i get from ushuaia to calafate? i will be in ushuaia only 2 nites. thank you.

  22. Mike Says:
    June 17th, 2010 at 3:02 am

    How can you rent an unfurnished apartment as a local for about a year when you’re a Canadian citizen? I mean how to find an affordable apartment for someone who wants to stay in BA for a year or so?

  23. Julia Says:
    August 8th, 2010 at 7:45 pm

    Hey! I wonder if Plaza San Martin is a safe place? In wich area is it located?

    Thanks!

  24. randy Says:
    August 27th, 2010 at 2:01 am

    Its not unsafe and not convenient if you like to go out at night. If you’re a young person and enjoy night life you may want to look for a place in Palermo. There are a lot of small boutique hotels. Check with Google and search to see what fits your needs.

  25. Helen Anne Says:
    October 21st, 2010 at 6:19 pm

    Hello!
    Wonderful site you have here. I was curious if there are any short day trips from Buenos Aires where one might see mountains, even from an extreme distance.
    Thanks!

  26. Julie Says:
    July 4th, 2011 at 1:32 am

    Hi,
    This is a great blog! I’ve found lots of very useful information.
    I’m in my early-mid 30s female planning an extended trip to Argentina. My intention is to live in Buenos Aires for 2 months, learning tango, language and taking trips to see the country. I have a few questions as I’m planning my trip. How difficult is it to communicate with people without Spanish-speaking capabilities? I took French many years back, so I never had any classes. How expansive is it to live (asides from lodging, which has been answered) — transportation, food, general entertainment? Would it be safe for an attentive person to live there by herself? Is there a good way to find “room in apartment”, that is safe? Is it safer to live with someone than by self? Anything else I’m forgetting to ask that is important to know for such a trip?
    Your help is much appreciated!

    Best,
    Julie

  27. Robert Jensen Says:
    July 19th, 2011 at 11:55 pm

    Where can I buy electrical plug adaptors in Buenos Aires?

  28. David Elsasser Says:
    November 2nd, 2011 at 6:48 pm

    As a first time vistor to Buenos Aires where should we stay, Palermo or Recolta??

  29. Yazmin Says:
    September 27th, 2012 at 3:05 pm

    Is there a free shuttle from hotels to gurruchaga avenue?
    I book in Dazzler Hotel

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