Expert: Cintia - 11/24/2004

Question
Hi, I'm Ed from Sacramento, California and I'm visiting Buenos Aires from Nov 28th thru Dec 9th.

Can you help me with a few questions?

1. Where is the best place to exchange money? I'm told the airport rates are bad and that banks are long lines and not to do that. So..where to exchange..?

2. Do you know of any nice apartments or hotels? If I get a hotel I would want to pay no more than $125 a nite. If I could find an apt in Ricoleta or Palermo for less than $359 a week I'd consider that also... If you have suggestions let me know..

3. Are there any gifts from America that Argentine women especially enjoy?

4. Where would be the best place for me to meet Argentine women. I'm 55 and speak just a little Spanish.

Thanks for any help..

Ed  

Answer
Dear Ed,

I am glad that you are soon visiting Buenos Aires.

Please find below the answers to your questions:

1) The exchange rate at the airports under the name GLOBAL EXCHANGE have a bad rate however, if you go to BANCO NACION which is also at EZE airport, there you will get the official rate.
Otherwise, you can go to any of the exchange houses you will find all over the city. Usually, the hotels can tell you where the nearest one is located.

2) There are lots of hotels of all categories. Please note that you are coming on a very busy time of the year and many hotels are already fully booked. I recommend you look over the Internet on Expedia or any other GDS and make the reservations ASAP. Also, it is advisable you stay at a hotel near Plaza San Martin (Retiro district), Barrio Norte and Recoleta, which are centrally located.
Unfortunately, I don't know about apartments but if you write "furnished apartments buenos aires" on google or any other search engine, you will surely find many companies you can contact.

3) Honestly I can't think of anything. Nowadays you can get almost everything you want through the Internet, so anything that is autoctonous from your place would probably be a good idea, something that identifies your home town for example.  

4) There are lots of cafes where you can meet people, and also bookstores are a good place. Besides, I have heard of a group of people who meet to talk in different languages. Perhaps you could join the English conversation group where you will probably find many argentinians who are willing to practise English.The website were you can find more information is www.talktime.com.ar

I hope this helps you with your travel arrangements.