Suggestion List for Buenos Aires:
Transportation:
First and foremost when you get to BA you’ll be given a packet and inside will be a booklet called a Guia T, which is a map of BA and tells you all the bus routes – immediately put this in your purse or back pocket because buses are key to getting around BA and saving money. The Subte (subway) closes at 10:30 and taxis add up while the buses are safe, run all night and are cheap. Just make sure to save your coins because the buses only take monedas. And if you are going to taxi it home only take radio taxis and don’t pay with huge bills or you may get fake money back. For the Subte, be sure to get a Monedero if you will be riding it frequently, because they are cards that you can charge money to for your rides so you don’t have to go to the ticket booth each time.
More Information
ATM's
You don’t want to be walking around with huge sums of money but try and take out a good amount and leave some at your house when you go to an ATM because there is a pretty good size fee every time you withdrawal. Also, it’s a good idea to take out 10 pesos less than what you want (Ex. you want 400 pesos, then take out 390) because it is hard to break 100 peso bills so if you take out an uneven increment you will have some change already.
Activities:
Zoos- There is the BA zoo at Plaza Italia or there is Zoo Lujan which is about an hour out of town by bus and very small and sketchy but you do get to ride an elephant and a camel with entry.
Gardens- There are surprisingly nice gardens in Buenos Aries like the Japanese Gardens and the Botanical Gardens. If you want a relaxing afternoon they are the place to go. Japanese Gardens do have an entrance fee, while the Botanical Gardens are free.
Concerts- Remember that BA is one of the biggest cities in South America so tons of performers come through on tour. La Bomba de Tiempo is an amazing drumline that plays every Monday at the Konex Cultural Center.
Futbol-there are two clubs in BA –River Plate or Boca Jr. Definitely catch a game while you are in BA, it will be an experience you will never forget. Boca games are more dangerous but more fun. If you do go to a Boca game, be sure to sit in section Norte 12 because that’s where all the hardcore fans sit and it makes the game a lot more exciting.
Museums- BA is full of art, and museums are great for weekdays after classes or on rainy days; Malba is a modern/contemporary art museum and is free on Wednesdays with a student ID. Also check out some of the multiple National Museums, like Bella Artes—it has pieces by Picasso, Van Gogh, and Monet.
Shopping- Florida Street in downtown; busy but you can buy anything and then relax in Plaza de Mayo and check out Casa Rosada. For more unique clothes and gifts, go to the ferias (fairs) around the city. They take place on the weekends and are basically like giant craft bazaars. Tons of awesome stuff to find, and usually for really great prices.
Neighborhoods:
You don’t want to be walking around with huge sums of money but try and take out a good amount and leave some at your house when you go to an ATM because there is a pretty good size fee every time you withdrawal. Also, it’s a good idea to take out 10 pesos less than what you want (Ex. you want 400 pesos, then take out 390) because it is hard to break 100 peso bills so if you take out an uneven increment you will have some change already.