NPS Info - About Buenos Aires

	Home Meeting Logo & Venue About BA Map and short walks About Argentina Places near BA
	Transportation Weather Practical Info Nearby Shopping Restaurants Neighborhoods Parks



	The Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (Buenos Aires) is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after Greater São Paulo. The Greater Buenos Aires conurbation, which also includes several Buenos Aires Province districts, constitutes the third-largest conurbation in Latin America, with a population of around thirteen million. We will be staying in the campus of the Universidad Católica Argentina, in Puerto Madero (the newest city neighborhood, which was buit from recycled 19th-century docks)

Transportation
To the venue from Ezeiza (EZE) airport The easiest way to get from EZE to downtown BA is using a Remis (chauffeured car). There are several companies with booths in the airport hall located between Customs and the Main Arrivals Hall in Terminal A. We have surveyed the remis companies in the airport and the least expensive is VIP-CAR (AR$ 290). Their booth is just to the left as you exit the Customs Hall. You can pay your fare by credit or debit card, and the car will take you to Puerto Madero (Hotel Madero address: Rosario Vera Peñaloza 360; UCA meeting place: Edificio San José, Alicia Moreau de Justo 1600). No tippings expected (please note that this fare is per car, not per person, so if you are sharing the car, you only have to pay for 1 trip). Another alternative is the Manuel Tienda Leon Bus, which has a stop in the Puerto Madero area on the corner of Av Eduardo Madero & San Martín. From there you still will have to take a taxi to the venue (aprox AR$ 40). Shuttles cost AR$75 one way, run at least once an hour and take 40–80 minutes, depending on traffic. Do not flag a taxi outside the airport.
To the venue by car or public transport IMPORTANT: If you are coming to downtown Buenos Aires by car or public transport from areas in the greater Buenos Aires or from neighboring cities such as La Plata please be aware of very heavy traffic during rush hour (approx. between 7:30 and 9:30). Please allow plenty of time to get to the Puerto Madero area, as Autopista Panamericana, Acceso Oeste, AU1, and Autopista Buenos Aires – La Plata are extremely busy at that time of the day. Parking in the area is available in private parking lots located on the west side of Alicia Moreau de Justo (across the rail-tracks); daily fares are around AR$100. The closest subway stations to the UCA complex are Plaza de Mayo (A line) and Alem (B line).
Within the city Taxi: flagdrop ARS11; typical rides within the city: ARS 40-60. Taxis have a digital meter that indicates the amount due and most of them only accept cash. Tipping is not necessary or expected. Subway. From Puerto Madero, the closest subway stations are Plaza de Mayo (A line) and Alem (B line). The one-way fare is ARS 3.5 and tickets can be purchased directly at the stations (cash only). Buenos Aires open roof bus: A convenient way to get to know Buenos Aires is using the Buenos Aires Bus. A Buenos Aires Map is available from BA goverment, with indications to move within the city ("walking person" on top left corner)
Weather
Check the forecast for Buenos Aires using: Weather.com yr.no SMN (spanish) WindGuru
Some additional practical information
Money and cards. The Argentinean currency is the Peso. Most hotels, restaurant, supermarkets and other big shops accept credit and debit cards. Small shops, souvenir shops and taxis frequently take cash only. The easiest way to get some local cash is through one of the several ATMs located in Puerto Madero and throughout the city. Electricity. Electricity in Argentina is 220 V, 50 Hz. The electric plugs have flat prongs, like the ones used in Australia and New Zealand. Old building may still have outlets for round prongs.
Convenience shopping in the Puerto Madero area
There is a large supermarket (Jumbo) two blocks from Hotel Madero (Lola Mora 427, between Juana Manso and Julieta Lanteri, Dique 1). There is a pharmacy 50 m away from the entrance to Hotel Madero (on the corner of Rosario Vera Peñaloza and Juana Manso).
Restaurants in the neighborhood
Cucina D'onore (Alicia Moreau de Justo 1768), where lunch will be served on Wed 20 and Thu 21 for all speakers and delegates. Naturaleza Sabia (vegetarian), Balcarce 958, between Estados Unidos and Carlos Calvo. La Parolaccia (Italian), Alicia Moreau de Justo 1052. Puerto Cristal (Grill / International cuisine), Alicia Moreau de Justo 1082.
Other interesting neighborhoods to visit are:
La Boca (the old port district still maintains its 19th-century ambience) Palermo (a trendy neighborhood filled with restaurants, shops and clubs called boliches) Recoleta (the traditionally upscale district combines Parisian architecture with trendy highrises and a variety of cultural venues, including the Recoleta Cemetery, where you can find the remains of important figures of Argentine history) San Telmo (one of the oldest neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, this area is characterized by well-preserved 19th-century architecture).


Interesting parks to visit include:
Parque Tres de Febrero. This park, one of the city's largest, is home to a rose garden (recommended El Rosedal and paddleboat lake). Botanical Gardens (among the oldest in Latin America and an easy walk to other Palermo-area sights) Recoleta (the traditionally upscale district combines Parisian architecture with trendy highrises and a variety of cultural venues, including the Recoleta Cementery, where you can find the remains of important figures of Argentine history) Buenos Aires Japanese Gardens (the largest of its type in the World, outside Japan) Plaza de Mayo (surrounded by national and city government offices, this square has been central to many of Argentina's historical events) Plaza San Martín (central to the Retiro area, the leafy park is surrounded by architectural landmarks) Buenos Aires Zoo (renowned for its collection and the Hindu Revival elephant house) Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur, which is close to the Puerto Madero district.