Costs, Money and Banks
The Argentine peso , divided into one hundred centavos, was exactly equal to one US dollar at the time of writing. Recent political upheaval, however, has led to a major devaluation of the peso and rapidly fluctuating exchange rates. Please keep this in mind when referring to any mention of costs throughout this guide. In Argentina, and throughout this guide, the peso is represented by the "dollar sign" ($). There has been off-and-on talk of dolarizacion (adoption of the US dollar as the official currency and legal tender), but political and popular resistance has so far stood in its way. Notes come in 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 peso denominations while 1 peso and 1 (rare), 5, 10, 25 and 50 centavo coins are in circulation. Sometimes people are loath to give change, as coins are in short supply, so it's a good idea to have plenty of loose change on your person; otherwise insist that they find change, if they want to do business. Ask for small denominations at banks if possible, break bigger ones up at places where they obviously have plenty of change (busy shops, supermarkets or post offices), and withdraw odd amounts from ATMs ($90, $190, etc) to avoid getting your cash dispensed in $100 bills only. In theory you can use US banknotes (in pristine condition only, and watch for fakes), but not coins or travellers' cheques, though some places take only Argentine money. ATMs often give you a choice of pesos or dollars and it might be a good idea to keep a stock of both, remembering that Argentine money is difficult to change outside the country, except in Uruguay, or border areas of Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay, where it may be used as legal tender. Although very worn or bedraggled notes are sometimes refused, there are no out-of-date notes or coins still floating about as in some other countries. In Tucuman and Catamarca provinces bonds ( bonos ) are still issued, and are totally useless anywhere else in the country. Steer clear of them if you can, but be aware that their face value is taken as the same in pesos within the two provinces. Counterfeit notes come into circulation from time to time, as in most countries, and many businesses are equipped with authentication devices for checking all paper money.
your food is yummyisabella says "i think yalls food is super dooper yummy keep up the good work
" whatsamanth says "nothing. you can survive on your own. dont go there its a horrible place." what you needkatie says "bring lots of food and water. try to bring non perishable food. and bring warm and cold clothes. you will need it." Buenos Aires City of DesignBob Frassinetti says "In August 2005 Buenos Aires was appointed City of Design by the UNESCO. This is recognition the city of “good airs” shares with other top notch design areas of the world such as Berlin, Montreal.
This appointment evidences recognition towards what Buenos Aires is doing in this particular area, and it cannot be understood if not put in perspective to the recent boom that took place in this area recently. BA features a constant flow of movement in terms of design, from mind-blowing creations to average regular, items the broadness of the design movement in the Argentine capital provides a wide rainbow of options featuring something for every taste.
Buenos Aires has been among the firsts of the American Continent to take upon the challenge of design together with Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and Mendoza in Argentina –as well-. The turning point in contemporary design in South America can be dated at the end of the 1950s and all throughout the 60s. The decade of 1960 was a strong decade for innovation, creation and design in the deepest sense of the words. The Arts in general had a strong input back then, and design was not an exception, from aesthetics to usefulness, Argentina has been taking upon the challenge of designing new and innovative objects ever since. After a couple of decades of ups and downs, ins and outs, always in tune with the general panorama of what was going on in our country, today, Buenos Aires is breeding and furthering some interesting aesthetic and conceptual approaches to objects.
In terms of industrial design today in Argentina, there are at several different disciplines working in an avant-garde creations and innovating in theory and practice in this sense. The range goes from industrial products to vehicles, furniture and lighting, making of Buenos Aires a design spot pretty much hyper-comprehensive in terms of design for the visitors.
An interesting insight on design in Buenos Aires is provided by worldly known Argentine architect and designer Ricardo Blanco in his book entitled Crónicas del diseño industrial en la Argentina – Chronicles of the Industrial Design in Argentina-, where he reconstructs the path of evolution thru means of a particular historical perspective and journey. Not aiming to cover the entire historical process, but more in the sense of providing an organized insight into the world of useful aesthetics, Blanco attest to evidence the intention and cultural bases of the Argentine design path.
Thru means of the current literature and the ever growing production of industrial design objects Buenos Aires takes upon new airs of discovery, as it mutates from the traditional city of beef and tango to a much more interesting and amusing spot of arts, design and aesthetics… And all in all, in the meantime we explore the new inputs of design we can always stop to enjoy the delightful Argentine cuisine and culture, but now in a broader and richer way.
Bob Frassinetti, Buenos Aires, Argentina" GanjaFaith says "look for ganja at all times"
Your Tip for Argentina
Help other backpackers! Write your own guides and backpacking tips to Argentina - they will appear instantly on this page - Please only write a tip/guide to Argentina - visit the main Argentina forum to ask a question!
Please do not post links to your site here (they won't work) - please use the Argentina webguide section below! Thanks.
|
