How to Find Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires, the gateway to Argentina, seems to be the most European in style of all the South American cities. The history of Argentina is told through the city's architecture and the spirit of the country is expressed through its national dance, the tango.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A computer with Internet connectivity to make reservations

Prepare for Your Trip

1. Reap the benefits of the fall of the peso in December 2001. The economic aftermath turned one of South America's most expensive cities into a bargain destination for tourists.
2. Change your dollars for Argentine pesos.
3. Skip Buenos Aires in the hot summer and head to one of Argentina's coastal towns instead. September to November and March to May are the best times to visit Buenos Aires in terms of weather.

Get Around Buenos Aires

4. Enter Argentina by way of Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini Airport, just west of Buenos Aires. The airport is about 45 minutes outside of downtown.
5. Visit the historic metro A line even if you don't plan to ride. The metro is the most reliable and inexpensive way around Buenos Aires.
6. Enjoy the city by foot. Buenos Aires is extremely pedestrian-friendly.

Find Accommodations

7. To book accommodations, contact The Government of the City of Buenos Aires at 011 (+08) 00 999 283887 or visit their Web site (see Resources below).
8. Skip the international chains here when looking for a bargain on accommodations. Locally owned properties offers more bang for your buck.
9. Find accommodations in Microcentro where all the subways lines converge, making transportation to other areas of Buenos Aires easy. Plus, all the conveniences of a big city are just steps away.
10. Feel at home and rent an apartment for longer stays. You can find many great apartments for less than $500.

Discover the Flavor of Buenos Aires

11. Find time to explore beyond the Plaza de Mayo, the colonial heart of the city, established in 1580. By venturing further, you'll get a taste of the native culture and charm of Buenos Aires.
12. Learn to tango at one of the many nightclubs throughout the city.
13. Try to find tickets to a soccer game, Argentina's national pastime. Many tourists find the enthusiast soccer crowds exhilarating.

Tips & Warnings

• Take a refresher course in Spanish, the official language of Argentina.
• Avoid hailing a taxi on the street unless you are positive it's a radio taxi.
• Numerous travel agencies in Microcentro can help you book accommodations once you're in Argentina.
• All phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• The more isolated areas of Buenos Aires are beautiful, but can be dangerous at night. Be careful if you leave your hotel.
• Hotels fill up quickly during the peak season, so you should reserve in advance, even if only for the first night or two.