http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19902 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19902 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19839 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19839 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19789
The only other alternative is to travel by taxi and while these are numerous during busy periods taxi drivers are picky over where they take you: I have frequently spent between 20 minutes to more than an hour trying to flag one from Ancon to the El Cangrejo area. They also overcharge, especially if your grasp of Spanish is weak, and will not issue receipts so I suggest (a) agree a fare before you get in, and (b) if you need receipts, buy a receipt book from Office Depot or the Rey supermarkets. Taxis hovering outside big hotels will charge at least two to three times the 'normal rate' but they will provide receipts (usually). In summary, just be patient!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19789 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19653 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19653 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19523 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19523 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19506 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19506 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19505 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19505 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19476 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19476 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19463 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19463 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18992 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18992 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18986 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18986 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18472 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18472 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18463
NB: you have to ring 24 hrs before and confirm collection.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18463 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18455 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18455 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18318
Also they have miles and miles of shops on Florida and Avenida Santa Fe where you can buy anything for one third of the price in the US or UK.

We stayed at the art hotel in Recoleta which was a boutique hotel with contemporary art in the foyer, free internet access, great rooms and wet room bathrooms.

Beware the fake taxis in Buenos Aires. Because we'd been there for four days we realised that if they don't have a proper meter in the right hand corner and photographic id on the back of the driver's seat then don't get in. We used a taxi which charged us three times the price of a journey from the airport. We refused to pay and threatened to call the Policia!
If this happens to you get to your hotel and ask the concierge to translate... avoid at all costs.

Otherwise, BA is one of the safest cities in the world and the people are very nice. Palermo is great and so is Recoleta. Avoid San Telmo if you have to. Use taxis rather than buses as they are very cheap and the metro is great for getting around centrally. In taxis from the Newbery internal airport it should cost you no more than $14 and to the international around $50.

Try and go to the best steak restaurant in the Palermo area called La Cabrera, it's economical but BOOK AHEAD as it gets very busy.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18318 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18173
Additionally, in many taxis, you can just wheel in and go. The underground has many wheelchair-friendly stations and links to airports and the Chunnel, if you want a new and exciting way to explore the continent!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18173 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18133
Pre-book your transportation from and to the airport through the internet with either TCA (the largest taxi organisation in Amsterdam) or Ambassador Services (a smaller taxi company). Also beware of hotel porters who sell your transportation to the airport for a commission (guess who will be paying this commission in the end?). You can book this yourself in advance at a set rate. The companies mentioned will give you a quote if you ask them.

In the streets of Amsterdam don't just hail a taxi, but ask your restaurant, bar or shop to call one for you. This way you always can trace the taxi that transported you and you're not just taking one of the 'cowboy-taxis'.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18133 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17965 ...mind you the other option was the ravine, so we were lucky.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17965 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17472 She has an office at the airport, but give her a call and she'll pick you up.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17472 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17411 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17411