Local delight´s

Empanadas

Empanadas are pastries filled with meat, ham, cheese or vegetables and are a typical dish for the northwest Argentina. Served both as fingerfood appetizers or as a whole meal.

* La Querencia

* La Cupertina

* La Pascana

Dulce de Leche

A spread made of sugar and milk. It´s a part of Argentine identity and a fundamental ingredient in their cuisine. Dulce de leche is widely used in Argentine confectionery and desserts, and can accompany ice cream, cakes and puddings.

Best ones: Chimbote, San Ignacio, La Salamandra

Alfajores

Tha alfajor is every argentine´s favorite confectionary. This Dulce de Leche filled biscuit has delighted generation after generation. There are numerous brands which you can find in every "kiosco", but the really legendary one is the Havanna alfajor.

* Havanna

Mate

Mate is a tea-like beverage consumed mainly in Argentina and Uruguay. It is brewed from the dried leaves and stems of the "yerba mate". The infusion is sucked through a metal pipe called "bombilla" which has a strainer at its lower end to prevent the minced leaves from reaching the mouth. In traditional mate use, the cup is often shared among close friends and family, using the same straw. Though it´s the national drink, people enjoy it at home, with friends and with a unique ritual.

Meat

Meat is Argentina´s most famous dish. We can call it: Asado (meaning barbecue, but it´s also a kind of meat cut (asado de tira)), parrilla (meaning grillroom or steak restaurant, grill itself or to the meat and "achuras" that are grilled on it).

* La Dorita

* La Brigada

* La Cabrera

* Cabana Las Lilas

Wines

Argentine wines are among the best in the world. The most famous wine region is at the east base of the Andes in the province of Mendoza.

For red wine, Malbec is the quintessential Argentine grape. It is the only 100% international quality variety and is the ideal accompaniment for traditional Argentine cuisine such as empanadas and asado. For white wine the most representative is Torrontes.

Ice cream

Our ice cream is amazing. Try it and tell me if it's better than italian ice cream!! And don't miss dulce de leche flavour!!!

This are the best ones in the city:

*Persicco 0810-333-7377

*Volta 0810-888-6582

*Freddo 0800-3337-3336

*Daniel 4896-1629

Useful information

• If you take a cab

tipping the driver is not a custom, although leftover small change is appreciated.

• If you take a bus

you pay for the ticket on the bus and need to have coins

• When you say hello

men shake hands; women kiss on the right cheek (only once)

• When you eat in a restaurant

tips are not included in the bills and are usually 10%-15%.

• Dinner time

Restaurants open for dinner around 8pm, but they become lively at 10pm and even later during weekends. Most restaurants serve until 1am.

• Nightlife

Argentineans stay up late. A nightclub wouldn´t be very lively before 2am in the morning. Dancing lasts until daybreak, especially during the summer.

• Shopping

If you buy something and you pay with a credit card, be sure to have a photo ID with you, they´ll probably ask for it.

• Standard exchange policy

If you buy something and then want to return it you won´t get your money back, but only the possibility of exchanging it for another item.

• Streets and locations

Whenever you ask somebody for an address, they would indicate the street first and then the number, and usually, between which other streets is that block located.

Vocabulary

• yes - sí
• no - no
• please - por favor
• thank you - gracias
• hello - hola
• good morning - buen día
• goodbye - chau
• good night - buenas noches
• excuse me - disculpe
• sorry - perdón
• cheers! - salud!
• people from Buenos Aires - porteños

Transportation

• Air

International flights operate out of the Ministro Pistarini International Airport, better known as Ezeiza (area where it is located) 47 km/29mi. from the city center using the Ricchieri and 25 de Mayo highways.

Domestic flights and flights to Uruguay operate out of Aeroparque Jorge Newbery city airport located at the Northern Riverside Drive (Avenida Rafael Obligado)

* Ezeiza/ J. Newbery Airports 5480 6111. www.aa2000.com.ar

* Aerolineas Argentinas 0810 222 86527

* Air France 0800 122 3010

* American Airlines 4318 1111

* British Airways 4320 6600

* Continental Airlines 4132 3532

* Iberia 0800 444 1024

* Mexicana 4000 6300

* United Airlines 0810 777 8648

• Driving in Buenos Aires

Vehicles are driven on the left side.

Porteños tend to drive fast and aggressively, paying little or no attention to traffic signs and regulations.

The public transport system is very well developed, allowing passengers to opt between buses, subways, taxis radio taxis and limousines.

Around downtown it is difficult to find parking space owing to the large number of vehicles on the streets.

Only taxis and buses are allowed into the downtown area during working days, so if you have to go there during rush hour, take a radio taxi, subway or bus.

CAR HIRE

* ABC rent a car 4315 0313

* Dollar 4315 8800

* Hertz 4816 8001

• Taxis

Around 60000 taxis run the city's streets. They can be easily recognized by their colors - black and yellow. In addition a red light on the meter indicates that they are available.

It isn´t an expensive mean of transport. The meter marks the price beginning with $3,80 and adds 38 cents for every 200 metres/220 yards or minute of wait.

Examples of taxi fares:

Ezeiza - Downtown: $90-$120

Downtown - Palermo: $20-$30

Downtown - San Telmo: $10-$15

San Telmo - Recoleta: $15-$20

Radio taxis

Opposed to regular taxis, this service is provided by a private company that coordinates associates. They come pick you up wherever you are.

Main hotels and restaurants call the radio taxi for you.

* Premium 5238 0000

* Blue way 4777 8888

* Pidalo 4956 1200

• Subways

Five lines link the city center with the nearest suburbs. The service is safe and well lighted. Trains run every day form 6am to 10.30/11pm, and are fewer on weekends. ticket for one trip is of $1,10 and can be acquired for 1,2,5,10 and 30 trips.

• Train

Six train lines link Capital Federal with towns in the Gran Buenos Aires. They depart from Retiro to the north of the city and from Constitución to southern Buenos Aires.

• Buses

The bus (colectivo) is a fast and inexpensive mean of transport to travel over the Capital. There are more than 180 lines going through the city and providing connection with all the districts in the Gran Buenos Aires. The service is available at regular intervals. Sometimes, streets may be blocked in the downtown area due to traffic jams. The service is available all day long but its frequency decreases after 12 at night. Fare: $1,10 to $2. There is a ticket dispenser inside every bus that work´s with 5, 10, 25, 50 cents and 1 peso coins. No bills accepted.

ATM´s

Automatic tellers are numerous around the city. They may be used to obtain cash through the major credit cards like Visa and Mastercard. Many ATMs perform transactions in pesos and some in dollars.

Visitors Information

• Information Center of the National Tourism Secretariat.

0 800 555 0016 (toll free nationwide 12 hours a day 8 am to 8 pm)

• Information Office of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires

4311 0528 / 4314 0187 (monday - saturday 7.30 am 1 pm.)

Exchange

The Argentine currency is the peso. The rate of exchange varies from 3.7 to 3.85 pesos per U.S dollar. The high rate has turned Buenos Aires into an excellent destination to purchase premium products at incredible price.
You can find 2$, 5$, 10$, 20$, 50$ and 100$ bills. 1c, 5c, 10c, 25c, 50c, 1$, 2$ coins.