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I've traveled extensively within Argentina and I'll do my best to answer you're questions so go ahead - shoot!
My husband and I have a trip in place to visit Buenos Aires for 10 days beginning April 9th. We are hearing all of the reports about food shortage. How bad is it. Are restaurants closing? Are prices going up in restaurants? Should we cancel. From one American and one scot who loves his meat. g
Welcome G:
To answer you question completely, I need to ask you a few questions.
Are you planning to travel overland outside of the city of Buenos Aires ?
- if so this may be difficult as major routes have blockades - you can still get thru but may take a lot longer than normal - internal flights are fine however.
Cancellation should be a last resort - Do you have trip cancellation insurance and are you flexible in when you can travel?
- If so then it could be prudent to wait a few days before you decide to cancel. There is talk of possible resolution / negotiation over the weekend. The Government opened up some blockades by force today so food is getting thru.
Restaurants are not closing (at least not that I've heard of) but some have a shortage of prime beef. Veg and poultry are also in shorter supply.
Prices are going up in some places but your $US is still very strong here.
My brother arrives from UK for 2 weeks this Sunday so if he's not deterred, then neither should you be.
I suspect the worst thing that'll happen is your hubby may not get his best meat fix! The wine and tango are still in full swing!
If you need an update on what's going on then just post here!
G: Just heard the strike has been suspended (at leat for now). Talks are ongoing and food is getting thru!
Msg received via email
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Howdy Paddy,
I was wondering if you could give me some info on living in Buenos Aires? Like is it easy to get work teaching English or working in bars? What are the wages like? What is the cost of living like? Accomadation etc. Basically I'd like you to tell me whether or not I'd get on ok there or not!
I speak pretty good Spanish having lived in Galicia for 2 years so languauge wouldn't be a big problem, I'm 27 from Meath/Dublin(from Meath but went to school in Dublin and lived there for a few years) and lived abroad in europe before but never outside europe.
If you can help at all I'd be very grateful.
Yours Gerry
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Hi Gerry,
I'll do my best to answer your Q's
It's fairly easy to get work teaching English but it pays only 17 pesos an hour and it's not easy to live comfortably on that.
You might get more working in a bar but there's lots of competition for bar jobs.
The fact that you speak good spanish will be a bonus.
Accomodation will set you back around US$500 a month for a small apartment.
Eating out is cheap as long as you stay clear of the touristy areas.
Here's some more cost of living info
http://www.expat-blog.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=783
You would need to bring decent savings with you so you have a buffer to fall back on.
Hope this helps
hi,
i was wondering how you made the crossing of the darien gap? did you go by plane to columbia or did you take a boat or something? and how much did you pay and did you make a reservation?
thx in advance, Ward
Ward: Welcome and thanks for stopping by.
I went from Colombia to Panama where as I think you're going the other way but the same info applies.
I originally planned to go by sail boat (3-5 days US$280) from Cartagena, Colombia to Panama City but was stuck for time so ended up flying from Cartagena to Panama City US$320. - fyi - I did not make a reservation
You can also go overland but it's a bit dangerous as there is a lot guerilla activity in the north of Colombia.
Another option is overland and boat
You can find more info on it here and here
I am trying to make arrangements to go on a similar low budget central american trip spring09. Starting in Sumpango Guatemala and hitting as many stops as possible on the way to Panama or even SA within about two months. my question comes with flying from hom(WI) into the area. Should i fly into Guatemala city and then fly out of Panama. or perhaps get roundtrip tickets and go back to stay with friends in Guatemala before ending my trip. WHat did you do and what are your suggestions?
Hello,
I am looking at doing similar trip to what you have done - your blog is a great interest to me then, I really enjoyed it!
How did you overcome the issue of having to show proof of your outbound journey in costa rica? If you could go back would you start in the same place in Guatemala? I am weighing up where to book a flight into, I was thinking Mexico City. Any suggestions would be appreciated xxx
Anonymous #1: Apologies for the late response. I somehow missed your question.
"Should i fly into Guatemala city and then fly out of Panama. or perhaps get roundtrip tickets and go back to stay with friends in Guatemala before ending my trip. WHat did you do and what are your suggestions?"
I flew into Colombia and headed north to finish in Guatemala.
My advice would be to go with whatever option is cheapest but you would probably get best value flying to Panama and then working your way north and fly out of Guatemala. I spent a month doing 8 countries which on reflection was not enough time. 2 months would be ideal.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Quickroute
Anonymous #2: I started in Colombia and headed north to finish in Guatemala but you could just as easily do it the other way and start in Mexico. see answer above.
I showed an e-ticket of my flight out of Guatemala as proof of my onward travel in Costa Rica. (Note: you don't need to show a ticket from Costa Rica - just a ticket from any country)
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Quickroute
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BA question
From: KELLYKBoston
Hi Paddy, checked out your blog..liked it.
Quick question...going to BA for a few weeks (maybe longer)...looking in to renting an apartment.
There are a lot in Recoleta, Palermo Soho, Palermo Viejo and some in San Telmo.
Any chance you can let me know what you think of the neighborhoods?
Was hoping for something authentic- not too touristy, but also an older crowd.
Coming over with 1 or 2 other girls..all in our mid 30's. We like to go out, but dont want to be in a college or young/ teeny boppers kind of area.
Thanks!
Hi KellyK,
Recoleta is very touristy and overpriced for restaurants etc. I recommend not staying there.
Palermo Soho and Palermo Viejo are good nightlife spots but not too much happening until 11pm otherwise.
I would recommend San Telmo as it has a good mix of bars and restaurants and your closer to the microcenter for shopping etc.
Let me know if you have any other Q's - Enjoy!
Sender's name : Alexander
Referrer : http://paddyinba.blogspot.com/search/label/Travel%20Colombia
Hi there,
Just ended up on your blog via lonely planet. Actually I am living in Buenos Aires as well and was looking at Colombia to spend 1 week off. Your itinerary seemed pretty nice. Could you recommend it? And would 9 days be enough for it?
Thanks
Alexander
Hi Alexander,
I enjoyed Colombia a lot. Bogota doesn't have many tourists and that's part of the attraction.
The north coast is very picturesque and definitely worth visiting.
9 days should be enough.
Let me know if you have any other Q's
Buen viaje!
Sender's name : Abeyna
Referrer : http://paddyinba.blogspot.com/2007/01/about-blog.html
Hey Paddy
Read your blog.. fascinating.. I particularly love the ways of your penmanship. Who did you go travelling to C. America with?
I am a 25 year old female from London planning to go solo travelling from 19th August. I am considering / planning a 5 week trip through Central America starting in Belize City ending in Panama
(beforehand I will be in Jamaica for 2 weeks)
possible?
My intentions;
Learn Spanish (my spanish is very basic.. have travelled to mexico and a few weeks ago returned from Argentina and Brazil)
Visit Mayan ruins
Jungle time
Volcano time
Beach time +++ (perhaps looking forward to this in costa rica and panama!)
I just wanted your advice on;
a) Planning - any particular guides you advise?
b)Cities to visit
c) Ideal time spent in between
A bit much to ask, but if you could point me the right way, would be grateful!
Thanks again
Hi Abenja,
5 weeks is not a lot for so much but it is possible. I only had 4 weeks so had to decide to miss out on certain places due to time restrictions e.g. Corn Islands - Nicaragua.
To learn Spanish you'd need to be staying in 1 place and taking classes so this doesn't seem likely. You'll at least be able to practice as you.
Lonely Planets Central America guide is very good.
Cities to visit - Many central american cities are just big, congested and polluted but these are nice
Granada - Nicaragua
Antigua and Flores - Guatemala
Panama City - Panama (for the canal and shopping!)
Time spent in between - not much I'm afraid you'll be rushing between spots.
Let me know if you have anymore Q's
cheers, Paddy