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The All You Need Argentina Travel Guide – Part 1: Before Travel Check List

Friday, July 31, 2009 14:14

Categories - Argentina Travel Info - 6 Comments

722366 timetable at the airport 5 The All You Need Argentina Travel Guide Part 1: Before Travel Check List
If you have made the decision to travel to Argentina you are about to embark on an experience that will open your eyes to a new country and culture, language, people, and way to live.  If you are coming to study Spanish, your experience will be even more intense, discovering what it is like to live in another culture and community, conversing daily with locals, and living just like an Argentines do.

Before you take of on this incredible experience, it is important to have everything in order so that your experience abroad goes as smoothly as possible. This will include the following:

Before Travel Check-List

  • Check that your passport has at least 6 months of validity left
  • Buy travel insurance for your total time abroad
  • Check to make sure you can receive a tourist visa upon entry in Argentina
  • Make sure you have all of your flight info, times, confirmation numbers
  • Make photocopies of every important document (passport, birth certificate, travel insurance, etc) and keep one copy and leave another copy with a loved one
  • Go to the doctor for a general check-up, and take/buy any prescriptions you may need when abroad
  • Sign up for online banking, as well either pre-pay your bills or sign up for online bill payments
  • Make sure all of your ‘loose-ends’ are tied up before coming abroad
  • Check the weather in Argentina and pack appropriate clothing
  • Bring an appropriate adapter for Argentina (or buy one here)
  • Only bring valuables if you absolutely must, otherwise leave them at home
  • Make sure that when you arrive you already have accommodation (Homestay, shared apartment, hotel, hostel, etc)
  • Take photos of your friends and family
  • If you take your camera or computer, make sure you have all the accessories or back-ups of anything that could break-down, etc

Look out for the next part of The All You Need Argentina Travel Guide: Visas & Embassies

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Fútbol in Buenos Aires 2009

Thursday, July 30, 2009 10:13

Categories - Buenos Aires City Attractions - 0 Comments

1208828 football 1 Fútbol in Buenos Aires 2009
Argentina is known around the world for its very famous fútbol teams (soccer), fútbol players, and championship wins. Fútbol fans in Argentina are devoted to their favourite teams and ‘show up’ for every game whether they are singing in a stadium, yelling at a local pub, or celebrating at home. It is said that to truly understand the Argentine culture, one must experience a fútbol game with local Argentines; therefore, we urge every student taking a Spanish course in Buenos Aires to round up their friends, leave their books at home, and head to a game in the city.

Fútbol Game Dates in Buenos Aires this Winter 2009

2009 Dates

August

  • 16/07     Boca Juniors vs Argentinos Jrs
  • 19/07     River Plate vs Lanus
  • 20/07     Boca vs Velez
  • 23/07     River vs Chacarita Jrs
  • 23/07     Lanus vs Boca Juniors
  • 30/07     San Lorenzo vs Estudiantes
  • 30/07     Boca Juniors vs Newells


September

  • 02/08     River Plate vs Colon
  • 05/08     ARGENTINA vs BRAZIL
  • 13/08     Boca Juniors vs Godoy Cruz
  • 13/08     Arsenal vs River Plate
  • 15/08     San Lorenzo vs Tigre
  • 16/08     Velez vs Boca
  • 17/08     Lanus vs River Plate
  • 20/08    River Plate vs Gimnasia de La Plata
  • 20/08    Racing vs Independiente
  • 27/08    Boca vs Velez
  • 27/08    San Lorenzo vs River Plate

If you have the opportunity to go to a fútbol game in Buenos Aires, remember to only bring what you will need, enough money for food or transport (no more), and leave all of your valuables at home. Games can pretty wild so just keep your wits about you at all times.

Learn about more La Boca where the very famous La Boca Junior’s, one of the best teams in the world, are from!

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FAQ’s About Getting a Visa for Argentina.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009 13:15

Categories - Argentina Travel Info - 18 Comments

passport FAQs About Getting a Visa for Argentina.
If you are coming to study Spanish in Buenos Aires, study abroad, work, or just to visit, you will need to have a visa to enter Argentina. Below are some FAQ’s about Visas & Argentina.

What do you need to enter in Argentina?

Most visitors can come to Argentina and receive a 90day tourist visa upon entry; you must only show a valid passport with more than 6 months before expiration date. Check out this list on our Expanish Student Visas page for details of which countries need to apply for a tourist visa and which do not.

What kind of visas are there for Argentina?

In Argentina there are a few: tourist visa, work visa, student visa, temporary visa, and permanent visa. A tourist visa is the most common for visitors and can be renewed every ninety days at the Immigration Office in Buenos Aires and every 6 months by leaving the country (even if for only several hours). A student visa is for those studying at a local university, college, or institute, and should be applied for from your home country. A work visa is for those working abroad in Buenos Aires and who have a signed contract with their employer. And, a temporary visa and permanent visa are for those who have moved to Argentina permanently, seeking citizenship.

Each of these visas, except for tourist, has a long and detailed process, so be sure of which you want/need before you start the long-haul!

Where can I find more info?

The 2 websites below have more information about obtaining a visa for Argentina:

http://www.mininterior.gov.ar/    (Spanish)
http://www.justlanded.com/english/Argentina/Argentina-Guide/Visas-Permits/Visa-Requirements                (English)

For most of us, entering into Argentina on a tourist visa is fast, easy, and simple. Other visas do take sometime, so always start the process way before you will be traveling to Argentina.

If you have any questions, post them below!

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Spanish students! Head to Palermo Hollywood in Buenos Aires for some Scandinavian Cuisine.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 12:15

Categories - Restaurants, Bars, Cafes, Clubs - 0 Comments

blue fish Spanish students! Head to Palermo Hollywood in Buenos Aires for some Scandinavian Cuisine.
Hidden away in Palermo Hollywood is a restaurant that exudes trend, tranquility, and style, and if you are looking for great food and drink with a sort of James Bond sexy atmosphere, look no further. Olsen is a Scandinavian restaurant in Palermo Hollywood and they just don’t get much better than this.

Hard to spot from the street front, Olsen sits behind a high fence but opens up into a cozy garden front and further back, once an old warehouse, the restaurants sit high and mighty.  The garden is outfitted with chairs and tables, sunken low into the grass for a laidback- close to nature feel. The restaurant is a beautiful big open space, with a mezzanine up top overlooking the main dining space; in the centre of the room is a big cozy fire place surround by the restaurant’s wooden tables.  Visually the place is stunning and creates the perfect dining atmosphere for a mellow night out with friends.

Scandinavian all the way, Olsen serves of fantastic appetizers (smoked salmon, cheeses, olive spreads, etc) and even better main dishes, mostly celebrating seafood with the occasional meat dish.  Another one of Olsens’ specialities is Vodka; they carry a vast selection of vodkas from all over the world, with Absolut taking the centre stage. (Great for a dry or dirty martini! )Every Sunday, Olsen features a buffet that begins at 10am, serving up things like eggs, hash browns, sausage, toast, and much more!

Dining out is a must-do experience in Buenos Aires as there are just to many great restaurants to pass up! Check out our choice for Vietnamese food in Buenos Aires!

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Neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires: Downtown/Microcentro

Monday, July 27, 2009 9:09

Categories - Buenos Aires City Attractions - 0 Comments

1174766 open sky Neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires: Downtown/Microcentro

If you are traveling abroad to Argentina, whether to live or study Spanish in Buenos Aires, there are a myriad of fantastic, interesting, and very Argentine neighbourhoods to check out. However, there are a few that seem to stand out from the rest, and this week we are featuring Downtown, or better know as the Microcentro.

The Microcentro is in the heart of the city and is the where the business centre is situated, making this area packed full of corporate buildings, banks, business’s, and thousands of people that are busy, fast-paced, and conquering a work day.

One of the best places to start out in the Microcentro could be Avenida Florida. A long shopping avenue that is not only full of great shopping stores, but also other business’s, restaurants, banks, and more. This Avenida starts from Plaza San Martin, located in Retiro and near the Retiro train station, and follows all the way down to Plaza de Mayo, the oldest and most important plaza in the city, where the Casa Rosada is located and other important government buildings.  Venturing into the very busy downtown area gives visitors a great chance to see what the ‘Wall Street’ of Buenos Aires is and the intensity of it all. If you walk west of Avenida Florida and head to the intersection of Avenida 9 de Julio and Avenida Corrientes, you will find the Obelisco, a 63 meter concrete pillar, and the national monument of Buenos Aires.

The Microcentro is also worth a visit for its wide range of very traditional restaurants, modern and trendy bars, and endless theatres and cinemas, featuring broadways and local works. A visit to Buenos Aires would not be complete without exploring the fast paced and action packed downtown area.

Interested in more neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires?
San Telmo – Recoleta- Palermo – Las Canitas -  La Boca

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Argentine Culture: Porteños in Buenos Aires

Friday, July 24, 2009 6:45

Categories - Argentine Customs and Culture - 0 Comments

289882 party Argentine Culture: Porteños in Buenos Aires

A part of what makes visiting another country so interesting is the fact that every country has its very own unique culture, and more often that not, it is the very reason why we fall in love with them.  Argentina is no different, a country with a long history, a mix of landed immigrants, and a growing population of foreigners, this country has a diverse culture however, despite the country’s culture, its capital city, Buenos Aires, is said to have its very own version, unique only to the porteños.

What is a Porteño?

A porteño is a person from Buenos Aires, born and breed. The word porteño comes from the word ‘port’, as Buenos Aires is a port city.

What are porteños like?

  • Porteños are people from a big cosmopolitan city and therefore they have that big city attitude.
  • Porteños are fashionable; they come from European decent (parents and grandparents) and they enjoy keeping up on the latest fashion from Europe and they do not mind spending their pesos to keep up with the latest looks.
  • Porteños have fast moving lives (the big city and all) and so days are long and free time starts at 7pm-9pm, meaning that restaurants, movie theatres, shows, etc, get busy in the late night hours until the early morning hours.
  • Porteños love to eat out; breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Eating out and socializing is a part of their daily life and keeps their lives interesting.
  • Porteños love their dogs. There are more dogs in this city than you can imagine and they love their dogs enough to hire dogs walkers which take their pooch’s out for walks during the day when they are busy at work.

This is only a small insight into porteños, a mere brushing of the surface, check out What to Wear this Winter in Buenos Aires!

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Will You Experience Snow in Buenos Aires this Winter?

Thursday, July 23, 2009 9:33

Categories - Argentina Travel Info - 0 Comments

546592 snow Will You Experience Snow in Buenos Aires this Winter?
For the first time this winter, the city of Buenos Aires is truly experiencing a cold spell and there is talk of snow coming to the city… As some of you might now, winter-like temperatures do visit this city ever year however, Buenos Aires does still have a fairly mild winter with plenty of sunny days and temperatures that seem to linger in between 5 – 15 degrees.

When was the last snow fall in Buenos Aires?

In the winter of 2007, Buenos Aires received snow for the first time in over 70 years and, to most, it was a beautiful sight. The snow fell for only a couple of days and disappeared as quickly as it came, however it did stay long enough for the people of Buenos Aires to experience the cold powdery stuff, some, for the very first time.

Does it snow anywhere near Buenos Aires?

Yes, it does. Yesterday, temperatures of -16 degrees were recorded in and near the city of Bahia Blanca, located in the southern Buenos Aires province, along with a beautiful snow fall. Other provinces in Argentina have also recorded snow, such as Rio Negro, Mendoza, San Juan, and Cordoba.

Studying Spanish in Buenos Aires? What should you do if it snows?

  • Put on your winter coat and your warm booties and go for a walk in the beautiful stuff. This is a rare event in Buenos Aires, so enjoy it!
  • Be careful of traffic as drivers are not used to these types of winter conditions on the road and there are bound to be a few slips and slides here and there.
  • Take lots of pictures because the snow will not last long.
  • Go to school! Snow does not mean a holiday and your teachers will be expecting your winter face to show up to class, even on a snow day!

Want to learn more about the 4 seasons in Buenos Aires?

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What is the story behind Dulce de Leche in Argentina?

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 13:34

Categories - Argentine Recipes - 0 Comments

459997 creme caramels What is the story behind Dulce de Leche in Argentina?

If you are studying Spanish in Buenos Aires you will have surely noticed that there are many cakes, pastries, cookies, pancakes, and many more sweet-related foods that have this caramel coloured condiment added.  This deliciously sweet condiment is a staple in the Argentine diet and no visit to Argentina should go without trying this sweet stuff, better know as Dulce de Leche (Sweet Milk).

Dulce de Leche is prepared by slowly heating sweetened milk (condensed milk) to create something that is very similar to caramel, in both consistency and color.  Here in Argentina every family, supermarket, café, restaurant, and more, carry Dulce de Leche, and the locals can’t seem to get enough of it.   There are some other recipes that make for a similar product, but since we are speaking of Argentina, we will stick with this delicious form of it.

Recipe for Dulce de Leche

Ingredient: Condensed Milk or Milk and Sugar

Put the condensed milk or milk mixed with plenty of sugar in a sauce pan and simmer, constantly stirring!  ( If you do not stir, the mixture with burn onto the bottom of the pot).

You will probably have to do this for about 2 hours, so keep a book or something entertaining handy, until the mixture become brown and thick like syrup.

Once the mixture is thick poor it into another bowl to cool. Then, use it how you like: to spread on toast, add to a cake, cover cookies, or just eat it with a spoon!

This is a very easy recipe, only slight time consuming but always worth the effort. If you are living in Buenos Aires, it can easily be bought anywhere groceries or sold but if you go back home, remember this recipe!

Check out this other great Argentine recipe!

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Buenos Aires: A Complete Guide About Going to The Doctor

Monday, July 20, 2009 13:43

Categories - Health & Safety - 3 Comments

961619 be healthy 3 Buenos Aires: A Complete Guide About Going to The Doctor
If you are studying Spanish abroad in Buenos Aires and need to go to the doctor, the idea alone can seem confusing, scary, and just plain impossible. However, fear not, despite many doctors speaking English, the process of going to the doctor in Buenos Aires is totally painless.

If you need to go to the doctor in Buenos Aires, you should go to a private hospital. First of, like many other countries, walk-in clinics or small medical clinics are uncommon, most go to a regular hospital.  In a foreigner’s case, a private hospital is recommendable and will be covered by your international health insurance. Once you arrive at the private hospital, take a number and a seat, and if you prefer, request an English speaking doctor if it makes you feel more comfortable.

If you need to go to a specialist, you can ask one of our Expanish staff members for a contact number. You will have to make an appointment but you will often find an open spot within a week. Many clinics reside in old apartment buildings and therefore old apartments. Do not be put off by this, once you are inside it is another world!

Remember: Your insurance will cover any medical visits in a hospital. Check beforehand for specialists as it may not fall under regular coverage. More importantly, you must pay for the visit and afterwards send the receipts to your insurance provider in order to receive a refund.

Here is some vocabulary you may need when going to a doctor in Buenos Aires:

Cita/Turno: Appointment

Obra Social: Health Plan

Medico: Doctor

Credencial: Medical Insurance Card

Dinero: What they will want you to pay with!a

Ask Our Staff for Guidance Here!

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Neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires: La Boca

Friday, July 17, 2009 10:15

Categories - Uncategorized - 0 Comments

298327 la boca color Neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires: La Boca

If you are traveling abroad to Argentina, whether to live or study Spanish in Buenos Aires, there are a myriad of fantastic, interesting, and very Argentine neighbourhoods to check out. However, there are a few that seem to stand out from the rest, and this week we are featuring La Boca.

La Boca is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires, and was the arrival point for immigrants coming to Argentina from all over Europe. Although many Europeans arrived here in Buenos Aires, many Italians who immigrated arrive in La Boca, stayed and the neighbourhood became known for its Italian residents. The name, in English meaning ‘The Mouth’, came to be because La Boca sits right at the end of the Riachuelo, a major river in the Buenos Aires province.  La Boca has a long and vibrant history, including being the arrival point for immigrants, the major city port, a centre for radical politics and demonstrations, and today, a major tourist destination.

If you venture into La Boca as a tourist, it is best to take a taxi straight to the road that is ‘why’ La Boca receives visitors every single day: Camanito. This colourful road in La Boca is scattered with antique houses and buildings, tango dancers in the street, art for sale, tourist shops, restaurants, and tango shows. Visiting these few blocks is a great way to venture into ‘old’ Buenos Aires, enjoy a typical Argentine meal, catch a tango show, and indulge in some arts and crafts.

Keep in mind that Camanito is the safest street in La Boca. It is not recommended to stray from these few blocks, as unfortunately over the years, La Boca has become fairly dangerous, and petty theft and muggings are common. Take  a taxi in and out!

Interested in more neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires!
Recoleta-Palermo-San Telmo

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