Bar Isabel - in a word, fabulous. A glamorous, mirrored space in a vaguely art-deco/Studio 54 style, with an overhead canopy consisting of a sequence of flashing lights, the place feels special the second you walk in the door. Those who feel the need can park themselves in a booth and be waited on, but the place is equally welcoming to those who just want to rock up and hang out at the bar. Outside at the back is a dramatic concrete-lined space with an open fire providing light but also retaining secluded corners for those who want them. Combine all this with a staff that knows how to make top-notch cocktails and are friendly to boot (as everyone is in this city), and great DJs keeping things suitably cool and you are on to a winner. Just don't get lost in the completely mirrored hall of wonders that is the (unisex) bathrooms ...

www.isabelbar.com
Uriarte 1664 1425 Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 (0)11 4834 6969
Google map: bit.ly/ViN1nk

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There are many hostels all over the continent, each with its own character.
You'll get lots of information and support from hostelers and the staff, and usually access to a kitchen to cook your own meals. You can be any age and many hostels have private doubles, twins, triples etc - some even ensuite!
PS In Patagonia don't miss the Perito Moreno Glacier - the boat goes dramtically close to the edge which is crumbling into the lake.

Two big booking agencies are hostelworld.com and hostelbookers.com and tripadvisor lists lots of hostels too.

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Okay, like every tourist you've already visited Calle Florida. After all, despite everything, there is always something interesting to do there - shopping at Falabella, a coffee at Florida Garden. There are also good bookshops like Ateneo and Cúspide Libros, which have pleasant cafés away from the hubbub of the street - you do not even remember that you are in Florida. And I cannot fail to mention the Galerias Pacifico, with good shops and ceilings worthy of an art gallery.
What you might not know is that the top floor of the Galerias Pacifico is the Centro Cultural Borges where you can find concerts, exhibitions, films, educational programs and workshops. This centre is a great place to see tango shows - not tourist traps, but authentic ones. The prices are quite fair: for the tango show "Bien de Tango" I paid $100 (aprox. US$25). Certainly off the beaten track.

www.ccborges.org.ar
Centro Cultural Borges, Viamonte esq. San Martín C1053ABK, Buenos Aires
+54 (11) 5555-5359
Google map: bit.ly/Ncl3LR

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Its a photography treasure hunt/experience and a really cool way to see the city. We went along one Saturday and ended up going back twice, as they do it in a different barrio each time so you get to experience the city and learn about taking original photographs.

www.foto-ruta.com

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This was certainly the highlight of my trip to Buenos Aires! Having never even sat on a horse before,by the end of the day i could say i played in a mini polo match (albeit not very well!). The full day included transport to and from the city, welcome mate (the famous Argentine drink), polo lesson with the wonderful Gaston, delicious asado lunch in the hotel, a swim in the infinity pool, a mini match and then we got to watch the professional club members play in a real match!

www.puestoviejoestancia.com.ar
+54 11 5279 6893
Polo Days are run at Puesto Viejo Estancia and Polo Club. It is near a town called Canuelas, about an hour away from Buenos Aires city.

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Had a lovely day learning how to play polo and relaxing at a ranch for the day in Buenos Aires. Worried it would be too hard as had only ever ridden once before, but was amazing! Really chilled day, nice and patient teacher, and amaaaaazing barbecue! Best thing i did in BA I reckon. (Also loved the Malba art gallery, and the beautiful rose gardens in Palermo. Best meal (apart from estancia bbq) was at Don Julio in Palermo.

www.guapapolo.com.ar
+54 9 11 5111 8214
Google map: bit.ly/xZpvw8

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Starting the new year like no other, I spent this new year's eve in Buenos Aires. Expecting a casual night on my terrace with a barbeque, this turned into an unforgettable party experience.
After doing the ritual midnight celebration, we then ate dinner and drank fernet (a herbal Italian spirit which has been adopted by Argentines) until around 3am. At this point we decided to head to the planetarium which lies in the Bosques de Palero (the Palermo forest). Here there was an enormous crowd of all ages, dancing with their fernet by the beautifully lit planetarium. I was unsure as to why everybody had sunglasses at the ready. When it got to around 7am it hit me, the blinding sun rose from above the trees and the crowd went wild! Slowly the crowds headed towards shade as the night turned into a hot summer's day, and at 9am we went home on the bus with the commuters. During this journey we narrowly avoided being struck by a flying bin which had been loaded with dynamite, but explosions aside it was an amazing experience and a brilliant start to 2012.

www.planetario.gov.ar/
Av. Sarmiento y Figueroa Alcorta- Palermo - Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 4771-9393
Google map: bit.ly/wAQCsd

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Hostel opened few months ago near from Plaza Serrano (place with a lot of bars, restaurants and clubs really great at night!) well located! nice house,rooms are clean, cool and relaxing atmosphere, great music. We even made a barbecue on the terrace.
You'll appreciate the contrast between the crazy Buenos Aires and this haven.

www.playhostel.com
Guatemala 4636, 1425 Palermo, Capital Federal, Argentina
+54 11 6091 9051
Google map: bit.ly/zurvvM

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Vamos Spanish Academy is a language and cultural school based in Buenos Aires. It is an absolute hidden gem, the staff are fantastic and very helpful. We took a Yerba Mate workshop, a cultural workshop and they organised a tango class for us. They arranged bike tours too but the weather did not permit - something for next time.

www.vamospanish.com
Coronel Díaz 1736, Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 53520001
Google map: bit.ly/o8idJu

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The best steak I had in Buenos Aires. A cool, cosy little restaurant in Microcentro. Have the dada steak and go for one of their house cocktails!

San Martin 947, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Google map: bit.ly/pJKHFT

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A great way to explore parts of the city tourists don't normally see. A really fun tour, in the form of a photography based treasure hunt around the streets of Buenos Aires.

www.foto-ruta.com
+54 11 6030 8881

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A great way to get your bearings in specific areas. We did the La Boca and Puerto Madero route. Great fun afternoon out.

www.labicicletanaranja.com.ar/english/index_english.html
+(54) 11 4362 1104

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This unmissable show is nothing like I have ever experienced before and had never heard of, until our hostel told us we would be mad to miss it.
La Bomba takes place every Monday night (who cares if there’s work the next day) and is a popular, often sold out, percussion frenzy at Ciudad Cultural Konex, an old open air converted oil factory, and costs the equivalent of about £5.
It is essentially two hours of madness where a group of 17 quick handed musicians take to the stage, and over the course of the two hours their drumming gets louder and faster. As you would imagine, this consequently affects the audience who are taken along for the ride in the form of hypnotic drum beats. It is all improvised, yet conducted through different hand signals, and you cannot help but be mesmerised by the sheer talent and co ordination.
Let me stress, La Bomba is not for the feint hearted. As the drumming gets louder and faster, the crowd reacts a little crazier. If there was ever a more poignant moment for the expression “if you can’t beat them, join them”, this was it. We found ourselves caught up in the excitement, jumping around, all inhibitions lost. By the time it was over, flip flops had been lost, and bodies were sweat drenched; all in the name of drumming! At 10pm the crowds started to disperse and it was off to work the next day. Only in Buenos Aires!

Ciudad Cultural Konex, Sarmiento 3131, Abasto
+54 4864- 3200
labombadetiempo.blogspot.com/

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Just got back from 6 months in South America and the single most valuable item in my rucksack was a tupperware box. I saved so much money by cooking enough food the night before to last for lunch or supper the next day. It also meant I could go further off the beaten track by not worrying whether I would be able to buy lunch as I would have a healthy portion of pasta in my rucksack. It was also really good for transporting sachets of salt, pepper, herbs, tea bags etc from hostel to hostel.
It certainly isn't the most exciting thing but having a tupperware box made massive difference.

All over the world!

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Studying Spanish at academia has been one of the highlights of my trip through Argentina and Chile. After four weeks I ran out of time, so I had to move on, but the place was so cool! The staff made you feel at home and I met many other travellers in gap-year situations similar to mine. I am still in contact with my two teachers who have been excellent professionals and very helpful in planning my trip.

www.academiabuenosaires.com
Calle Hipólito Yrigoyen 571, piso 4, CP 1086, +54 11 4345 5954
Google map: bit.ly/r1FJ3P

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Saturday and Sunday near the Recoleta cemetery about 100 stands set up and create an open air market of artisan goods. Silver, leather, clothing, pottery, art- nice quality for better pricing than the stores they sell to.

Google map: bit.ly/qfjlRw
www.feriaplazafrancia.com/

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A very informative site for everything that is Buenos Aires. Events, culture, things to do are updated regularly through out each week. Also good for reserving activities and tours easily that good value.

landingPadBA.com

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Nice quaint little cafe in Palermo that has quality cakes, muffins and coffee. An excellent choice for sitting outside and enjoying some sun.

www.casamua.com/
Soler 4202, esquina Julían Álvarez, Palermo, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 4862-7561
Google map: bit.ly/r3113S

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This is a beautiful, intimate restaurant. The food was fantastic, the service excellent and the ambiance just so San Telmo.

Estados Unidos 302
Google map: bit.ly/ihOd0d

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A lovely little french cafe in Palermo (there are two close to each other). Great brunch, cakes, tea and coffee.

www.ouioui.com.ar
Nicaragua 6068
+54 11 4778-9614
Google map: bit.ly/lxy9PG

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