Summer in Buenos Aires

Summer in Buenos Aires

January is coming to an end and here in Buenos Aires school’s out for summer. Well, let’s be honest. Schools are taking a break, along with businesses, progress and rules. Now is that time of year when all of Buenos Aires metaphorically leans back in its giant leather office chair, hands behind head, and tells the secretary to hold all calls until March. It’s party time.

In Spanish, the greeting during the holiday season is “Felices Fiestas.” So, while we doinks are celebrating holidays, these fine people are literally celebrating parties. Dig.
Proud porteños don muscle T’s and wait whistle-cocked as hot porteñas step out in mini dresses and daisy dukes. And what about the foreigners? We’re looking for air conditioning, pools, parties on rooftops and cheap fans.

Here are the facts: Buenos Aires is hot and humid from December thru March. December can be fine early on with nice breezes but January and February can be brutal much like New York City in the summer. Everyone who can, takes off work and goes on vacation. Many flock to the Atlantic coast (beach towns like Pinamar, Mar del Plata, etc) or go exploring outside of Capital Federal. Those with serious bucks might go skiing in Aspen or touring around Europe.

But for those of us who are destined to be in Buenos Aires during these hot summer months, there are great perks.

Christmas Countdown!
Celebrating Christmas and New Years in a different culture is a very cool experience. The tradition is generally to have a big dinner with family and then go out and meet up with friends. The 12pm countdown takes place on both holidays in anticipation of fireworks. On Dec 24th and Dec 31st fireworks are sold all over town at cheap prices. Little kids learn how to light a match and aim away from anything with eyes. Rockets light up the sky and startle babies until the wee hours of the morning and everyone sleeps in.

A pool is a pool is a pool
If you forgot to make friends with people who have a pool, here are three great options:

No matter where you’re from, everyone understands the angst of a summer sans pool. Buenos Aires might hide them from the public eye but there are pools everywhere to enjoy. The biggest pool in town is found in Parque Norte, a big club in Belgrano near the coast. Here you can get your fill of water slides, adult-only pools and people watching. You can get a day pass for under $40 pesos and spend the day splashing away.
Check the site for more details: http://www.parquenorte.com

Those looking for a ritzier atmosphere can head to the Caesar Park Hotel on Posadas 1232 in Recoleta. The entry fee of $30-40 pesos also includes entry to the gym, sauna and bar.

The port of Olivos is home to a huge summer club called Cariló. The name was recently changed from “Godlike” and thus earns its presence in this article. Here you can enjoy a 50-meter pool and tropical drinks, all for under $15 pesos. Cariló is located on Sturiza 405 and Avenida del Libertador al 2600 right by the Olivos train station.

Air Conditioned Havens
OK, so you’re over trying to get a tan and tired of giving the greeting kiss with a sweaty face, now is the time to take advantage of Buenos Aires’s air conditioned venues.

Museums are a great place to escape the heat and feel like a responsible traveler. The MALBA, Museo de Bellas Artes and Evita Museum are all great places to discover more about BA and enjoy reliable AC.

Movie theaters also offer a nice escape and bit of entertainment. You can see a movie in English to cure homesick blues or watch one is Spanish to brush up on your vocabulary. Surefire air conditioned theaters include Hoyts Cinema in Abasto Mall and Atlas in Patio Bullrich. To find movie schedules check out the “cartelera de cine” at www.lanacion.com.ar.

If your wallet is still full after your movie date then head to one of BA’s many shopping malls for cool relief. Alto Palermo has reliable chain stores and the new DOT mall off of the northern stretch of the General Paz is just waiting to be discovered.

As much as you’ll try to avoid the heat, Buenos Aires is really best enjoyed outside. Whether you lay out in one of BA’s parks or spend weekends partying at a friends country house, Buenos Aires is definitely on fire and we suggest you give into the temptation. Locals aren’t afraid of the heat and you shouldn’t be either! To make the outdoors more enjoyable bring a few liters of Quilmes wherever you go and a hanky to sop up the sweat.

In conclusion, PARTY. Don’t come to write your thesis. Come to get over a bad break-up, improve your Spanish, party Porteño style and don’t forget the OFF.

Madi Lang
LPBA Writer

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