Argentines love their holidays, and in a month like March they are blessed with several. However for the tourist and the Spanish language student the thought of closed shops, closed restaurants and closed cultural centers doesn’t have the same thrill as it does to your daily Buenos Aires office worker.
But don’t despair there are many ways a visitor can enjoy the day when the city has shut its doors.
Go for a Walk
Put on your walking shoes and head outdoors. With fewer people on the streets you will have the space to walk, stop and take in your surrounds. Don’t forget to look up to view the ornate decorations of some of the buildings. Stroll the inner city in peace, or head into the neighbourhoods of San Telmo, Palermo, Recoleta or Puerto Madero.
Buenos Aires Bike Tour
The roads are quiet, the buses are less frequent and there are few pedestrians j-walking. This is the time to take to the streets and pedal your way around the city. Hire a bike to cruise around the Costanera Sur or better yet join a bike tour of Buenos Aires and have a local guide show you the main sights and hidden gems.
The Easter long weekend starts the final day of March when many porteños will take Thursday off work and enjoy an extra long break. It is a good excuse to go do some travelling yourself.
Surf Trip
Get out of the city and join in a long weekend surf trip to Mar del Plata. The swell isn’t quite Hawaii but for beginners and intermediate surfers it is still a great beach scene. Equipment hire and surf lessons are all possible so cross your fingers for the sun and hit the beach!
Iguazu Falls
We know it is a long bus trip from Buenos Aires but if your budget cant stretch to a plane flight, at least make use of the great bus quality and get a good nights rest on the overnight service. You can spend a couple of days enjoying the stunning scenery at Iguazu waterfalls. Take a paddle along the river, a speed boat into the falls or a helicopter over the National Park.
So don’t stay locked up in your room during the public holidays, get out and explore the city and Argentina.
Mars