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SNAP GUIDE

Buenos Aires: Essentials

Friday, December 9, 2005 |

Buenos Aires Outdoors
011-54-11/4797-1143, buenosairesoutdoors.com.ar
Low-impact outdoor tours, including day trips to Tigre, and to traditional ranches (see Escapes box on page 8). $50 for a half-day tour of the pampas (the provincial grasslands) and local ranches; includes horseback riding.

Fall in Love With Buenos Aires
011-54-11/4656-5714, fallinlovewithba.com
Run by a couple with extensive experience, these historical walking tours put a refreshing emphasis on the porteño perspective. Pedro Porqueras's specialty: Recoleta Cemetery. His five-hour tour by minivan also includes a coffee break at the historic Café Tortoni. $10-$15/person for three-hour walking tour, $30-$50/person for van tour.


BUENOS AIRES SNAP GUIDE
• Essentials
• Sleep
• Mirocentro
• Retiro & Congreso
• Barrio Norte
• San Telmo & La Boca
• Palermo & Chacarita
• Recoleta

Free city tours
Buenos Aires Undersecretary of Tourism, 011-54-11/4114-5791, bue.gov.ar/recorridos
Guided walking and bus tours. Themes are varied and include a good mix of neighborhoods and topics, such as "Notable bars of Recoleta" and "Eva Peron." English tours take place as indicated on the online schedule. Call the office for more information (in English). Space is limited on bus tours; call Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. to reserve. Free.

La Bicicleta Naranja
Pasaje Giuffra 308 (corner of Balcarce), 011-54-11/4362-1104, labicicletanaranja.com.ar
Tours leave from San Telmo and focus on the southern or northern sections of B.A., or the riverbank and coastal grassy wetland Reserva Ecológica. Rentals include comfortable orange bikes with helmets, locks, storage bags, maps, and a drink. $19 for four hours with a guide.

NUMBERS TO KNOW

  • Emergency Police 101, Fire 100, Medical Emergency 107

  • Help in English Tourist Police Station, 0800-999-5000 (or 011-54-11/4346-5748)

  • International operator 000, Directory info 110

  • Tourist info 011-54-11/4312-7276 or 011-54-11/4313-5503 (Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.)

  • Concert, theater, and sports tickets Ticketek, 011-54-11/5237-7200, ticketek.com.ar

  • For local calls, drop the international access number (011), the country code (54), and the city code (11). All local numbers have eight digits.

    • FUNNY MONEY: HOW TO SPOT FAKE PESOS
    Counterfeit bills are common in B.A., so you should always exchange currency at a reputable place. But to detect phonies, hold the bill up to the light. If it's real

  • The ink on the denomination number will change colors.

  • There will be a metallic thread woven into the border between the picture and white spaces. 

  • The portrait of the historical figure will be clear, not blurry. 

  • The paper will have the same feel as a US dollar bill.

    • Note: This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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