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Spring and fall are tourist low seasons in BA and are the best times to visit. Hot summer nights, however, make for a wonderful experience. There are year-round festivals celebrating everything from fashion to dance to wine, though springtime sees the lion s share of these events. If you re here during winter, nights can drop to bone-chilling cold, so bring a warm jacket. credit pacific service union

Full Name

Buenos Aires Area 4, 326 sq km 1, 670 sq miles Population 13, 000, 000 GMT/UTC -3 () Daylight Saving Start not in use Daylight Saving End not in use Currency Argentinian Peso (Arg$) Electricity 220V 50HzHz Electric Plug Details European plug with two circular metal pins credit first service union

Australian-style plug with two flat angled blades and one vertical grounding blade card credit mobile service

Background Information Orientation

Although Greater Buenos Aires has swollen to 13 million people, most tourists stick to the Capital Federal, which is home to three million porte=os (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, Buenos Aires becomes easier to navigate. The Microcentro, or downtown area, includes shopping and entertainment precincts along Avenidas Corrientes, C8rdoba 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 north, with a sky-piercing white obelisk at its center. The dockside barrio of Puerto Madero runs north-south along R o de la Plata and is pedestrian friendly. card credit discover service

At the eastern end of Avenida de Mayo, one of the Microcentro s main east-west boulevards, is Plaza de Mayo. It attracts a bountiful blend of tourists, students and political activists, and is surrounded by many important buildings including the famous Presidential Palace (Casa Rosada) and the main cathedral. South of the Microcentro you ll find the faded architecture and cobbled streets of colonial San Telmo, home of Buenos Aires sultry tango, and La Boca, the tough port barrio and colorful working class heart of Buenos Aires. Uptown is the ritzy enclave of Recoleta, while tree-lined Palermo has parks aplenty and Buenos Aires hottest bars and ethnic eats. credit public service union

Time Zone

GMT/UTC -3 () card credit processing service

Daylight Saving

Start: not in use End: not in use center credit service union

Weights Measures System

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Visas Overview

Nationals of the USA, Canada, most Western European countries, Australia and New Zealand do not need visas to visit Argentina. In theory, all non-visa visitors must obtain a free tourist card on arrival - it s good for 90 days and renewable for 90 more. In practice, immigration officials issue these only at major border crossings, such as airports and on the ferries and hydrofoils between Buenos Aires and Uruguay. Although you should not toss your card away, losing it is no major catastrophe; at most exit points, immigration officials will provide an immediate replacement for free. credit security service union

Customs Overview

Argentine officials are generally courteous and reasonable toward tourists. If you cross the border frequently and carry an inordinate amount of electronic equipment (such as cameras or laptop computers), however, you should have a typed list of equipment and serial numbers (get it stamped by authorities when entering the country). A pile of purchase receipts might also help. credit report service

Depending on where you have been, officials focus on different things. Those traveling southbound from the central Andean countries may be searched for drugs, while those from bordering countries will have fruits and vegetables confiscated. Not that carrying drugs will pretty much get you into trouble no matter which country you re coming from. blogspot com christian

Argentina allows the usual duty-free items in the following quantities: approximately two cartons of cigarettes (500g tobacco), two liters (2.1qt) of alcohol and gifts to a reasonable allowance. Visitors entering from Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay are allowed half the quantities listed. For agricultural items, it s best to check consulate restrictions. christian counseling credit

Government Leaders

An introduction through a financial or legal institution is necessary to conduct business in Buenos Aires. A conservative suit and tie for men, and modest dress for women, is the prefered attire for all business related occasions. credit federal service union

The Microcentro is the bustling, noisy city center and business district, where beautiful old-world buildings tower over a mad frenzy of commercial chaos. Endless lines of quick-footed businesspeople in suits and power skirts zip along the narrow streets in the shadow of skyscrapers. It s home to the main banking district, coined La City. credit monitoring service

Pedestrianized Av Florida is in some ways the main artery of this region - it s constantly jammed during the day with businesspeople, shoppers and tourists. The western boundary of the Microcentro is the mammoth 16-lane Av 9 de Julio. credit division service

Health Overview

Travelers to Argentina who receive the recommended vaccines and follow commonsense precautions usually avoid any health problems. Particularly important are mosquito-borne infections, including malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever. Dengue occurs in the Salta province in the northwestern part of the country. Insect repellent combined with sensible clothing is the only prevention; there s no vaccine. Taking malaria pills is strongly recommended for travel to rural areas along the borders with Bolivia (lowlands of the Salta and Jujuy provinces) and Paraguay (lowlands of the Misiones and Corrientes provinces). The yellow fever vaccine is strongly recommended for those visiting the northeastern forest areas near the border with Brazil and Paraguay. card credit online service

Urban water supplies are usually potable, making salads and ice safe to consume. Tap water in rural areas is generally not safe to drink. Vigorous boiling for one minute is the most effective means of water purification. At altitudes greater than 2000m (6562ft), boil for three minutes. consumer counseling credit inc

Dangers Annoyances

Crime against tourists is almost always of the petty sort, such as pickpockets in crowded markets or buses - things smart travelers can easily guard themselves against. Some neighborhoods where you should be careful at night are Constituci8n (around the train station), the eastern border of San Telmo and La Boca (where, outside tourist streets, you should be careful even during the day). Minor nuisances include lack of respect for pedestrians (do not expect cars or buses to stop or even slow down when you re crossing a street), lax pollution controls and cigarette smoke everywhere. card credit fleet service

Local Health Conditions dengue fever

Unlike the malaria mosquito, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits the dengue virus, is most active during the day, and is found mainly in urban areas, in and around human dwellings. Signs and symptoms of dengue fever include a sudden onset of high fever, headache, joint and muscle pains, nausea and vomiting. A rash of small red spots sometimes appears three to four days after the onset of fever. Severe complications do sometimes occur. card consolidation credit

You should seek medical attention as soon as possible if you think you may be infected. A blood test can indicate the possibility of the fever. There is no specific treatment. Aspirin should be avoided, as it increases the risk of hemorrhaging. There is no vaccine against dengue fever. credit free online report

altitude sickness

In the thinner atmosphere above 3000m (9842ft), or even lower in some cases, lack of oxygen causes many individuals to suffer headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, physical weakness and other symptoms that can lead to very serious consequences, especially if combined with heat exhaustion, sunburn or hypothermia. Acute mountain sickness (AMS) can affect anyone and care should be taken to avoid ascending mountain peaks above 3000m too quickly. Sleep at a lower altitude than the greatest height reached during the day, if possible. credit federal first service

hypothermia

This occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it and the core temperature of the body falls. It is frighteningly easy to progress from very cold to dangerously cold due to a combination of wind, wet clothing, fatigue and hunger, even if the air temperature is above freezing. If the weather deteriorates, put on extra layers of warm clothing immediately: a windproof and/or waterproof jacket, plus wool or fleece hat and gloves, are all essential. Have something energy-giving to eat and ensure that everyone in your group is fit, and feeling well and alert. consumer credit service

Symptoms of hypothermia are exhaustion, numb skin (particularly toes and fingers), shivering, slurred speech, irrational or violent behavior, lethargy, stumbling, dizzy spells, muscle cramps and violent bursts of energy. Irrationality may take the form of sufferers claiming they are warm and trying to take off their clothes. center credit family service

To treat mild hypothermia, first get the person out of the wind and/or rain, remove their clothing if it s wet and replace it with dry, warm clothing. Give them hot liquids - not alcohol - and some high-energy, easily digestible food. Do not rub victims: instead, allow them to slowly warm themselves. This should be enough to treat the early stages of hypothermia. The early recognition and treatment of mild hypothermia is the only way to prevent severe hypothermia, which is a critical condition. credit reporting service

hepatitis

Several different viruses cause hepatitis; they differ in the way that they are transmitted. The symptoms in all forms of the illness include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, feelings of weakness and aches and pains, followed by loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-colored feces, jaundiced (yellow) skin and yellowing of the whites of the eyes. cca credit division service

There are six known types of viral hepatitis: A, B, C, D, E and G. G is not dangerous. A and E are passed on by the fecal-oral route of transmission; there is a vaccine. Seek medical advice, but there is not much you can do apart from resting, drinking lots of fluids, eating lightly and avoiding fatty foods. A and E cause an acute illness, but you will recover fully from it. credit free report service

B and D are passed on via blood, saliva, semen and vaginal fluids. They can be passed on by close contact, sexual contact, and blood-to-blood contact. The symptoms of hepatitis B may be more severe than type A and the disease can lead to long-term problems such as chronic liver damage, liver cancer or a long-term carrier state. There is a vaccine. card credit customer discover

Hepatitis C is only passed on from blood-to-blood contact. There is no vaccine. credit repair report service

yellow fever

Yellow fever is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. There is an effective vaccine against yellow fever, so if you have been immunized, you can basically rule this disease out. Symptoms of yellow fever range from a mild fever which resolves over a few days to more serious forms with fever, headache, muscle pains, abdominal pain and vomiting. This can progress to bleeding, shock, and liver and kidney failure. The liver failure causes jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes - hence the name. There s no specific treatment but you should seek medical help urgently if you think you have yellow fever. credit legal repair service

The climate in BA varies from pleasant to oppressive. Late spring (October and November) and autumn (March to May) bring hospitable weather with temperatures averaging 24 C (75 F) during the day. In summer, the mercury has been known to hit a scorching 40 C (104 F) - a good time to head for the coastal resorts. Rainfall is to be expected throughout the year, but it s far from torrential. cic credit monitoring service

Average Annual Hi/Low Temperature Average Annual Humidity AM/PM Average Annual Sunshine Telephone Overview

Two companies, Telecom and Telef8nica, split the city s telephone services. The easiest way to make a local call is to find a locutorio (small telephone office), where you call from a private cabin and pay at the register when you re through. There s a locutorio on practically every other block; they cost about the same as street phones, are much quieter and you won t run out of coins. Most are also supplied with phone books. ccs credit division service

The main cell phone systems are CDMA and TDMA. It s now possible to use a triband GSM world cell phone in BA. This is a fast-changing field so take a look at www.kropla.com or do an Internet search on GSM cell phones for the myriad of products on the market. credit service union worker

Cell phone numbers are always preceded by 15 , which you must dial unless calling from another cell phone. 1st credit service union

Media Overview

The capital has magazines and news dailies aplenty as well as various English-language publications. All are sold at newspaper kiosks and have free online versions. Pick up a copy of the free Lleg)s at tourist offices, cultural centers, bars and shops. There are dozens of channels on cable TV and lots of locally run radio stations. card chase credit customer

La Naci8n (newspaper) An important upper-class Spanish daily. www.lanacion.com.ar Buenos Aires Herald (newspaper) An English-language daily covering the world from an international perspective. www.buenosairesherald.com P)gina 12 (newspaper) P)gina 12 provides a refreshing leftist perspective and often breaks important stories. www.pagina12.com.ar card chase credit service

mbito Financiero (newspaper) The voice of the business sector, mbito Financiero also provides good cultural coverage. www.ambitoweb.com Clar n (newspaper) A fun daily tabloid that s big on fdtbol (soccer). www.clarin.com The capital s biggest daily newspaper. Ol (newspaper) For sports, pick up Ol. Founded in 1876, the BA Herald is the city s English-language daily. citi credit monitoring service

Lleg)s (magazine) Lleg)s is a free culture and entertainment weekly and the best source for what s up in BA. Pagina 12 (newspaper) For opinionated leftist news, pick up the excellent Pagina 12. Hecho en Buenos Aires (newspaper) Hecho en Buenos Aires is the local street sheet, published to benefit the folks who peddle them. credit plus service union

Further Reading

Ficciones Jorge luis Borges (fiction) A quirky compilation of stories by Buenos Aires most famous writer. credit farm service

Hopscotch Julio Cort)zar (fiction) Along with Jorge Luis Borges, Cort)zar s works put Argentina on the world literary stage with books like this one, which jumps between Buenos Aires and Paris and demands a second read. A Secret for Julia Patricia Sagastizabal (history/politics) This book recounts the story of a survivor of Argentina s Dirty War, living in exile in London where years later she is tracked down by a former torturer. 1st credit federal service

On Heroes and Tombs Ernesto S)bato (fiction) Explores people and places in Buenos Aires and is still a cult favorite among the city s young. A Funny Dirty Little War Osvaldo Soriano (fiction) One of the most popular Argentine novelists is the late Osvaldo Soriano, who also wrote Shadows. History of Argentina Rodrigo Fresan (non-fiction) This book gives a humorous porte=o perspective on the uncertainty of modern life in Buenos Aires and the influence of North America. credit paychex service tax

Female Travellers

Some males feel the need to comment on a woman s attractiveness. More often than not, this happens when the woman is alone. Verbal comments include crude language, hisses, whistles and piropos (flirtatious comments). Piropos are often vulgar, although some can be creative and even eloquent. As much as you may want to kick them where it counts, the best thing to do is ignore. After all, many porte=as (women from Buenos Aires) do enjoy these compliments , and most men don t mean to be insulting; they re just doing what males in their culture are taught to do. credit service tax

On the plus side, expect men to hold a door open for you, letting you enter first; this is particularly helpful on buses as it gives you a better chance of grabbing an empty seat. aeon credit service

Gay Lesbian Scene

Buenos Aires is now South America s top gay destination, offering a vibrant range of gay bars, cafes and clubs. You ll have to know where to look, however; despite general tolerance for homosexuality, this ain t San Francisco or Sydney, yet. BA s lesbian scene also definitely exists, though it s not nearly as overt as the boys . credit one service union

Look up current sweetheart spots in free booklets such as La Otra Gu a, The Ronda and Queer. Magazines such as NX and Imperio G can be bought at newsstands. A lively nighttime cruising area is around Avenidas Santa Fe and Pueyrred8n, where discount admission coupons are handed out on street corners. bad cell credit phone service

Good websites are www.thegayguide.com.ar and gaybuenosaires.blogspot.com. For travel details there s Pride Travel (www.pride-travel.com). Also, www.friendlyapartments.ar specializes in renting to gay visitors, or try the San Telmo B B Lugar Gay (www.lugargay.org). In November, there s a gay and lesbian cinefest (www.diversafilms.com.ar) as well as a gay pride parade (Marcha del Orgullo Gay; www.marchadelorgullo.org.ar). counseling credit debt service

Travelers with disabilities will find things somewhat difficult. In particular, those in wheelchairs will quickly realize that narrow, busy and uneven sidewalks are difficult to negotiate. Crossing streets is also a problem; not every corner has ramps and Argentine drivers don t have much patience for slower pedestrians, disabled or not. Nevertheless, Argentines with disabilities do get around; buses called piso bajo lower to provide wheelchair lifts. card credit payment service

Most hotels do not have wheelchair accessible rooms; doors are narrow and there is little space to move around inside - bathrooms at midrange and budget hotels are notoriously small. For truly accessible rooms, you ll have better luck in pricier hotels. card credit merchant

In Buenos Aires, Movidisc (tel: 4328 6921; www.movidisc-web.com.ar) offers private transport and day tours in vans fully equipped for wheelchair users. If you re taking a tour with another agency, Movidisc can provide the transport, provided you ask your tour company to arrange it with them. counseling credit family

A large expedition landed in present-day Buenos Aires in 1536, but it wasn t until 1580 that the area was successfully re-established by Juan de Garay. It remained a backwater for the next 200 years, subordinate to the Spanish city of Asunci8n (now Paraguay s capital), further up the Paran) river. Mercantile restrictions imposed by Asunci8n fuelled local frustration as Buenos Aires began to prosper on the back of trade in feral cattle and horses. Contraband smugglers were also doing a good trade with Portuguese and British vessels. In 1776, Buenos Aires became the capital of the new Viceroyalty of the R o de la Plata, acknowledgment that the region had outgrown Spain s political and economic domination. annual credit report request

Continuing dissatisfaction with Spanish interference led to the revolution of May 25, 1810, and eventual independence in 1816. However, independence revealed seething regional disparities that Spanish rule had obscured. The Federalists of the interior (conservative landowners, supported by the gauchos and rural working class) advocated provincial autonomy, while the Unitarists (cosmopolitan city dwellers) upheld Buenos Aires central authority. area bay credit service

After a disastrous and tyrannical period of rule by the Federalist Juan Manuel Rosas, Buenos Aires and Unitarism prevailed, ushering in a new era of growth and prosperity with the federalist constitution of 1853. European immigration, foreign investment and trade were hallmarks of the new liberalism. However, excessive foreign interests made the economy particularly vulnerable to global recessions; wealth was ultra-concentrated and unemployment rose as small holdings failed. Finally, farmers were forced to leave the land and head for a capital ill-equipped to deal with the influx. atlanta consumer counseling

It was in this climate of substandard living and unemployment that labor militancy grew, reaching boiling point in 1919 when striking workers were brutally suppressed by the military during La Semana Tr)gica (The Tragic Week). This set an unfortunate precedent for the coming decades. account card credit merchant

During the 1930s, ambitious municipal projects transformed the face of the downtown area with a sprawling grid of wide avenues running through the heart of the city. Colonial-era streets vanished as Buenos Aires sought to stamp its flavor of European sophistication on South American tradition. Following WWII, Gran (Greater) Buenos Aires began to absorb surrounding suburbs. The weight of its growth, however, spawned problems with decaying infrastructure and public services, the spread of shantytowns, and rises in unemployment and inflation. aspire card credit customer

Political volatility, military brutality, growing wealth divisions and an unstable economy have all continued to plague the country. Since 1989, the Argentine economy has experienced a boom-and-bust cycle which has led to harsh restrictions on bank withdrawals, and cash shortages. card counseling credit service

President Duhalde unpegged the peso from the dollar; savings were decimated, but withdrawal and foreign exchange restrictions meant little could be done. However unpopular, the move was necessary to secure further aid from the IMF. Furthermore, the devalued peso has done better than expected in the world currency market. card credit online processing

In 2003, Nstor Kirchner became president, managing to suspend Argentina s debt to the IMF and negotiate better terms. In 2006, the country paid off its entire IMF debt (its debts to private investors, however, are still a billion-dollar headache). Over the last three years, Argentina s economy has made a resounding comeback. Although inflation continues to be a threat, foreign investment is slowly returning. consolidated counseling credit

Hilltop Park

park cnr Arribe=os La Pampa Out in Belgrano, this handsomely landscaped park covers one of the city s few hills and was once the limit of the R o de La Plata. Old-timers pass the afternoons playing chess beneath the giant ombd tree, while dog owners unleash their pets downhill in the gated dog run. check credit service

Bas lica de Santo Domingo Dominican Deity

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The 18th-century Bas lica de Santo Domingo prominently marks the approach into San Telmo. This Dominican church (also known as the Bas lica de Nuestra Se=ora del Rosario) has a long and colorful history. On its left tower, you ll see the replicated scars of shrapnel launched against British troops who holed up here during the invasion of 1806. civil credit ontario service

Biblioteca Nacional

Web: http://www.bibnal.edu.ar antonio credit san security

Bioparque Temaikn

Web: http://www.temaiken.com.ar card cardmember chase credit

Cabildo de Buenos Aires BA Birthplace

government ; museum Bol var 65 Built in 1725, this was the original seat of government and the birthplace of the struggle towards independence from Spain. Its current arcade, built in 1940, is a restoration of the original 11 arches that stretched across the width of Plaza de Mayo until they were demolished to make room for Av de Mayo and Av Julio Roca. Inside, a small museum offers a fine view over Plaza de Mayo. clean credit repair service

Vibrant House

museum ; significant house Hip8lito Yrigoyen 219 Taking up the whole east side of the Plaza de Mayo is the pink facade of Casa Rosada (Pink House), the presidential palace where Evita famously energized adoring crowds from the balcony during the 1940s. Around the southern side of the building is Museo de la Casa Rosada, which houses the catacombs of the Fuerte Viejo, an 18th-century colonial ruin. credit management service

Celebrity Cemetery

cemetery ; celebrity Jun n 1790 One of Buenos Aires prime tourist attractions, the Cementerio de la Recoleta sits in the plushest of neighborhoods, ritzy Recoleta. High walls surround this necropolis where, in death as in life, generations of Argentina s elite rest in ornate splendor. It s fascinating to wander around and explore this extensive mini-city of lofty statues, detailed marble facades and earthy-smelling sarcophagi, all the while reading family names of those with enough social points to make it in here. Follow the crowds and you ll find Evita s grave. Among marble angels and black granite tombs are the sites of some of Argentina s most famous - and infamous - historical figures: 19th-century educator and president Domingo Sarmiento, caudillo (strongman) Juan Facundo Quiroga (occupying the cemetery s oldest tomb), politician Carlos de Alvear, Radical party leader Leandro Alm, twice president Hip8lito Yrigoyen, boxing great Angel Firpo, independence hero William Brown and writer Victoria Ocampos. colorado credit public service

skyscraper ; architectural highlight Florida 1035 One of the capital s most prized buildings, this art-deco landmark (120m/394ft) was the tallest concrete structure in the world when it was built in 1935. It scrapes the sky across from Plaza San Mart n. consolidation counseling

El Caminito

La Boca s most famous street is lined with brightly painted houses and local artists selling their work. In the surrounding streets are crafts stalls and tango dancers, and everywhere there are groups of tourists taking photos. bureau card credit service

Faena Hotel + Universe

miscellaneous ; expensive/luxury Martha Salotti 445 This breathtaking Philippe Starck-designed hotel combines the kind of drama and whimsicality expected from Starck with the style and flamboyance of its owner, BA fashion entrepreneur Faena. Even if you don t stay here, a visit is a must. There s a fabulous restaurant, a swanky bar, a French-inspired cabaret and theater, a stunning rooftop pool, spa and hammam, and a gourmet market. Don t leave BA without taking a trip to the Faena-Starck world. card credit customer service

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Floralis Genrica

monument Plaza Naciones Unidas Designed and funded by architect Eduardo Catalano in 2002, this is one of BA s most stunning landmarks. The fabulous Floralis Genrica opens its six enormous metallic petals every morning and closes them again at dusk. card citibank credit customer

Fundaci8n Proa

art gallery Av Don Pedro de Mendoza 1929 This modern and contemporary art museum and foundation hosts six temporary shows a year of adventurous work from Argentina and abroad. They also hold art workshops, courses, conferences and concerts. They sometimes close in between exhibitions so call ahead. bad credit repair service

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Jard n Zool8gico

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La Bombonera

sports ; stadium/oval Brandsen 805 Watching a football game at this atmospheric venue is an experience. The stadium is so rickety the whole thing rocks when the fans jump up and down as they sing songs of abuse to the other side. As much as you want to be out of there, if you don t join them, you re chicken! If you can score tickets to a game between Boca Juniors and their arch-rivals River Plate, the experience is one you won t forget quickly. credit first houston service

Unless you speak Spanish and go with a porte=o, it s best to get tickets with a tour, as matches can be very rough. Web: http://www.bocajuniors.com.ar bad credit expertise in

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