Discover Buenos Aires

Here is a new service that is sorely needed in Buenos Aires – economic luggage storage.

Catty Shack Buenos Aires is now offering a place to store your luggage in Buenos Aires.  From their web site:

Catty Shack Buenos Aires began as an idea for a luggage storage service in November of 2009. It’s conception was inspired after a friend traveling through Central and South America shared her constant struggle to find a safe and affordable home for her belongings. We had similar inconveniences in our travels, but it took her expressing the same problem to help us understand the real need for baggage storage in Argentina.

We offer flexible and economic baggage storage, short or long-term for travelers or anyone in need of storage space. In Buenos Aires, luggage storage was previously limited to major airports and transportation hubs that charge obscene rates. For travelers on a budget, Catty Shack offers a great alternative.  Our prices are determined based on length of stay and the amount of baggage or suitcases stored.

Their prices seem quite reasonable with 1 bag costing USD $10/week or $35/month, 2-3 bags for $15/week or $45/month and 4-5 bags for $20/week or $55/month.

Check out their web site or give them a call at 011.54.15.3599.9304.

In October 2008, we reported that Argentina was planning to charge a reciprocal fee to tourists entering from countries that charge its citizens a visa or entrance fee.  Well, that plan was put on indefinite hold — until now that is.

According to the Argentina Immigration web site, the new fees are imminent.  The following file was posted there today:

The new fees seem to apply only to Americans (US $131), Canadians (US $70), and Australians (US $100).  For Canadians, the fee is listed as a single entry, which would imply that Americans and Australians get multiple entries.

Of course, in true Argentine style, details are still sparse at this time.  When the new fee goes into effect has not yet been specified.  Also, if multiple entries are permitted, how long those entries are good for has not yet been specified either.  We’ll be sure to keep you updated as we learn more. (UPDATE below.)

The original Argentine immigration article (english) on the reciprocal fee was published February 1, 2009, and mentioned that that the fee will only be charged at the Ezeiza airport, so that should mean that those ferry trips many expats make to Colonia will not cost more.  We especially love how they specifically call it the “eye for an eye” fee rate and express their wishes that Argentina will be added to the list of countries that are granted a visa waiver from the US.

So, does this change your travel plans?

UPDATE: The US Embassy just published an advisory noting this new fee goes into effect December 20, 2009 and once paid is valid for 10 years:

Airport Entry Fee
December 11, 2009

This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens that on December 20, 2009, the Government of Argentina will begin charging American Citizens visiting Argentina for business or tourism an entry fee of $131 U.S. dollars.  The fee will be collected only at Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport.  Once paid, the fee permits multiple entries into Argentina for ten years in accordance with United States visa reciprocity.  Americans may pay in dollars, by credit card, or with travelers checks.

U.S. citizens may also call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services in the U.S. for the latest travel information.  The Office of Overseas Citizens Services can be reached from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time, M-F, at 1-888-407-4747, or if calling from outside the U.S., at (202)-501-4444.  For any emergencies involving American citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section, located at 4300 Avenida Colombia, 1425 Buenos Aires;
telephone+54-11-5777-4354; after hours emergency telephone +54-11-5777-4873; ACS unit fax +54-11-5777-4293; e-mail BuenosAires-ACS@state.gov; web page http://argentina.usembassy.gov.

Americans living or traveling in Argentina are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Argentina.  Americans without internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

This email is UNCLASSIFIED.

Thankfully this update was unclassified and we could all get the news.

In the third post of our “Buenos Aires Contacts,” I wanted to highlight my personal trainer, Matias Vertone.

While Matias does not speak much English, it has been a fun experience as my personal training sessions turn out to be both a workout and a Spanish lesson in one.  Matias works out of the Always Gym in Palermo Soho but also trains clients at their home, gym or in the park.  He is incredibly knowledgeable and will design a workout specifically tailored to your goals. Don’t let the language barrier stop you! I have a lot of friends who use him as well and love the workout he puts you through.

Matias Verone
Personal Trainer
Cel. +54 9 11 5829 9909

In the second “Buenos Aires Contacts” post, I’d like to highlight Aurora Couretot.

Aurora is an English-speaking doctor working as an advisor at Swiss Medical since 2000.  She has helped many expats get set up with medical insurance through Swiss Medical.  She understands the process inside and out and can answer any questions that you may have.  Not only did she set up my medical insurance, she was available to answer questions that I had about booking appointments, referrals, hospital visits, etc. Basically everything I didn’t know about the medical system here or couldn’t understand due to my initially very limited Spanish.  I’d highly recommend contacting her.

Dr. Aurora Couretot
Swiss Medical
Official Representative
Tel. +54 9 11 6180 1556 (from abroad) or 15 61 80 1556 (from Buenos Aires)
acouretot@yahoo.com.ar