 Advice for Argentina |
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| Looking to travel to Argentina in the next 3 weeks. I'm an Aussie and don't speak any Spanish (but would love to learn). I am hoping to hear from people who have been to Argentina and could provide me with some advice. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 PeteD Pete Drewitt Post Count: 3 Msg: #1 3 years ago, October 4th 2006 | Hi all | My plan is to stay in Argentina for 3 months, most of that time in BA. Would it be better to rent a place, or stay at hostels? I've never backpacked before and never stayed in hostels. I am travelling alone. Would it be cheaper to rent a place for that duration? Is it possible to find work, anything cash in hand? Is it worthwhile working, or is it cheap enough to get by without it if I don't splurge? Anyone worked there (cash in hand only) and if so what was the experience like? Will not being able to speak Spanish be a problem for such things as day to day communication, buying food, directions etc? Do any hostels have gyms, or if not, any ideas on gym fees in BA? Anyone had experiences being a stranger, alone in a place like BA? Are the locals friendly and approachable? Thanks in advance - Pete Tonyaman55 Antonia Manuel Post Count: 11 Msg: #2 3 years ago, October 9th 2006 | Hi Pete | I think that if you are travelling alone, a hostel is much better than renting a place. Besides, apartments are mostly located at the expensive neighbourhoods. It won't be easy to find a job, there are lots of laws protecting employees, so you might need permission to sign a contract. But don't worry, since 2001, when 1 dollar became more than 3 pesos, Argentina turned into a very cheap place to visit. As regards language, whenever you stick to tourist activities, many people speak English. Shops, restaurants and bars are used to serve foreign customers, so you'll be ok. I believe hostels don't have gyms. They are quite expensive, but you can try at "Facultad de Derecho" (Law School) or "Los bosques de Palermo" (race track, very nice). Just one piece of advice, be very carefull. There are great people, kind and helpful, but also lots of thieves. I'm Argentinian, from the South, studied in Buenos Aires and had to be extremely careful until I learnt which places were safe and which had to be avoided. Now I'm living in Rio de Janeiro, one of the most dangerous cities ever, and I'm doing the same thing. Be cautious, keep yourself informed, find the busiest streets always, avoid wearing gold, hide your camera, wallet. Choose daylight. Anyway Pete, you'll surely have a great time in that splendid country. Now I'm working in a travel agency, learning, and I love to read comments and questions to see what interests people have. Good luck! Tonya There's a hostel that might be interesting (I found in the internet): End of the World-San Telmo Av. San Juan 818 Start your adventure at the END OF THE WORLD!! Internet Free 24 hrs. WI-FI Zone, Free Spanish Classes, Free Tango Lessons, Breakfast Included. Located at the heart of San Telmo, next to the Arts and Crafts fair, museum and Night Club area. Constitucion Station is only 3 blocks away. PeteD Pete Drewitt Post Count: 3 Msg: #3 3 years ago, October 10th 2006 | Hi Tonya | thanks for the great suggestions and advice, I'll definitely look that hostel up! Free Spanish lessons included as well, that's perfect! Also good to know about thieves, I'll certainly be cautious and minimise risk to myself and my belongings. I can't wait to get over there and experience the country. Much appreciated! Pete  www paralelo54 com Pato Rapaport Post Count: 4 Msg: #4 3 years ago, October 10th 2006 | Hey Pete, how are you ? | another tip maybe can help you. You will save money if you stay at a hostel but in four people shared room. Single room with private bath maybe is usd 20.- per night. So it is usd 600.- per month, and i dont think hostels will have 3 consecutive months available single room. The end of the world hostels are not good hostels, in the city we have more than 50 hostels and much better than that one. if you deside to rent a furnish apartment there some available for usd 150 per week.-  Cassels Andrew Cassels Post Count: 9 Msg: #5 3 years ago, October 16th 2006 | I stayed in Buenos Aires for a month at a hostal called Hostal Clan, that is in a great location, and has heapsa aussies and people from the uk passing through. It was one of the cheapest hostals there too. All the staff spoke spanish, and had somthin going on everyday for the guests. I never missed the futbol day, and the bbqçs and nights at the upstairs bar were great too. | On top of all that the hostal has a spanish school with free introductory courses. Ill be headed back there for another month in December to meet back up with the friends I made and enjoy the incredibly good and cheap food of Buenos Aires. Its really cheap, and im a poor kiwi  cjg1 Chris Post Count: 1 Msg: #6 3 years ago, October 17th 2006 | I would consider staying in a hostel to start and then moving on to your own rented place. Two of my three trips here I have been alone. The locals are great. I've never had problems with them. I do not speak spanish in any great extent and it still takes me a couple days to get it going just to get around. So English wont be a problem. | Once you get there it is quite cheap. Meli5 Mel Post Count: 7 Msg: #7 3 years ago, October 21st 2006 | Hi Pete! | I'm staying in Buenos Aires for 6 months and since September.One advice people here always give me is only to use the Taxis with "Radio taxi" on the sides and the roof.They are said to be more secure.Another thing is:People are keen on receiving COINS instead of bills everywhere because the state doesn't have the money to make enough coins.That is very weird,but always take coins with You.Sometimes they don't accept 50 centavo-coins,because there exist false ones.So always have a few of them with You.You get coins as change in larger supermarkets, for example.If You have very bright skin,You'll need to take protection against the sun with You.It's quite agressive here...in Australia it's the same,I guess;) During the first weeks here I was very careful and a bit scared of everything,but meanwhile I actually feel quite safe (if I don't go to the poorer zones).Palermo and Recoletta a good zones to go out and to feel safe. With work etc.I've heard that it's not so easy,but life here is really really cheap.(As well cinema,theatre,big concerts...) Safe trip and good luck! Hernan Hernan Hauri Post Count: 7 Msg: #8 3 years ago, October 25th 2006 | Hi I live in Argentina, if you want to live 3 months without work you need USD7 for hostel and USD10 for meals, with USD 30 you live very good, if you want to work here, I think you could find work in your emmbassy in Argentina or work without secures or laws called 'negro' work, i think you can work in relationships in discos if you have very good presence. Communications must be too hard because nobody speak english, but adolescents or young people yes and will be very glad to help you you must want rich people in zones that Recoleta and Palermo SOHO, I think in that places you can speak communicate very good. | Well I don't have more battery, pleas che my post and if you are interested send me a mail! http://www.travelblog.org/Forum/Threads/2598-1.html Regards Hernan hernan.hauri@gmail.com Number of Users: 7 | Number of Posts: 8 | ||||||||||||||||
