Tango, Steaks & Strolls: Buenos Aires in a Few Days

We departed from Atlanta at 9:00 pm and reached Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires at 9:00 am the next day. Considering the 2-hour time difference, the flight was ten hours long. The airport is situated 17 miles south of the city. We had coordinated with the hotel to have a driver pick us up, which seemed like a smart plan. However, with hundreds of drivers holding signs with their clients' names, it took us a while to locate ours!

We stayed at the Park Tower Hotel, part of the Luxury Collection. It's connected to the Sheraton, allowing guests to share amenities like the club lounge, pool, and restaurants. Prior to our trip, we communicated extensively with the concierge staff, who were instrumental in ensuring we had a wonderful stay.

After checking in, we walked to a nearby hotel to exchange some money and obtain Argentinian pesos. These small exchange offices are called "cuevas." People are exchanging money all over the city. Argentina has one of the highest inflation rates globally. If you exchange $400, you'll receive more than 300,000 pesos, and you'll need a backpack to carry your cash! Remember, there are three types of currency exchange rates: the "Dolar official" rate available at banks (the least favorable), the "Dolar blue" rate offered at cuevas (better), and the "Dolar MEP" rate you get when using your Visa or Mastercard. The "Dolar MEP" is very close to the "Dolar blue," so use your card where it's accepted.

From there, we took an Uber (which was very affordable) to the Casa Rosada. The Pink House serves as the presidential palace and is a symbol of Buenos Aires. It was from the balconies of the Casa Rosada that Juan and "Evita" Perón, who inspired the song "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," addressed the crowds in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Since the new president took office, tourists have not been permitted to visit the palace. We then walked through the Plaza de Mayo to the Metropolitan Cathedral, the city's main Catholic church.

We took an Uber to the Obelisk (Obelisco), a national historic monument and symbol of Buenos Aires. It was built in 1936 to mark the 400th anniversary of the city's first foundation. After a quick lunch, we walked to the Teatro Colón, where we had reserved an English tour. Teatro Colón is renowned as one of the world's premier opera houses. That first night, we dined at Buono, an Italian restaurant situated at the Sheraton. It has received good reviews, but we found our meal to be merely average.

On our second day, we took an Uber to the San Telmo Market. Covering over 10 blocks, it offers food, knick-knacks, and antiques. It's a must-visit in Buenos Aires on a Sunday.

Our next destination was the Caminito neighborhood, a highly frequented area known for its restaurants, tango performances, and shops offering Maradona and Lionel Messi memorabilia. These soccer legends are revered throughout the city and the entire nation. Later, we used Uber to reach the Puerto Madero neighborhood, a contemporary and upscale riverfront area featuring condos, dining establishments, and retail outlets.

We traversed the Woman's Bridge (Puente de la Mujer). Built in Spain and gifted to Buenos Aires via a private donation, this rotating footbridge is highly popular due to its ability to pivot 90 degrees to let water traffic through. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, it is believed to symbolize a couple dancing the tango.

We had a little bit of time left and we went to the to the Recoleta Cemetery.

Over 6,400 statues, sarcophagi, coffins and crypts commemorate some of Argentina’s most celebrated people. One of them is Eva "Evita" Perón. This is one of the more beautiful cemeteries we have visited, and it was very crowded.

The next destination was Floralis Generica, a dynamic flower sculpture that has become a symbol of the city. Each morning at 8 am, its six steel petals open, and they close at midnight. Unfortunately, a storm had damaged the sculpture a few months prior to our visit, and it was still undergoing maintenance.

That evening, we had a reservation at the renowned Don Julio Steakhouse. We had booked it months ahead and only received confirmation a few days prior to our trip. Even the hotel concierge couldn't secure a booking for us. The restaurant had just been awarded a Michelin star and was voted the best steakhouse in the world. Our expectations were high, but we felt somewhat let down. The steaks didn't surpass a Costata Fiorentina or a T-Bone steak. The restaurant's atmosphere is quite pleasant, but I will certainly explore a different steakhouse next time.

On our third day, we opted for a Hop-on Hop-off tour that circled the city for several hours. We mostly remained on the bus throughout the journey. The tour took us through the Palermo neighborhood, known as the city's most picturesque and trendy area. This vibrant district is filled with numerous restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. We paused to explore the Japanese Garden, renowned as one of the most tranquil spots in Buenos Aires. Situated next to Tres de Febrero park, it was opened in 1967 to mark a visit by the Japanese emperor, Akihito, and his wife Michiko.

That evening, we had reserved a tango dinner show at Aljibe Tango. Although we discovered it prior to our trip, the concierge made the reservation for us. We enjoyed fantastic seats at a front table. The food was superb, and the show surpassed our expectations, featuring dancers, musicians, and even an authentic gaucho. We opted to pay with our credit card after the meal instead of pre-paying online, which saved us money.

We had a wonderful experience in Buenos Aires. We felt secure and encountered no issues. It's best to leave your valuables at the hotel. While managing the currency can be challenging, you'll adjust to handling all the bills. We could use credit cards at most restaurants and shops. Keep in mind that restaurants prefer tips in cash.