Holiday Travel "Patterns/Habits"

[PeteM]

We have been in Buenos Aires (staying in Recoleta)for more than two weeks.

It seems like as of today, the city seems to have become much busier and even more crowded than ever.

I guess I was mistaken in thinking that alot of people would leave for holiday vacations at the beach and that it would be quieter than usual in BA.

Will the city be like this until after Christmas? Until after New Years Eve/Day?

When (if ever) do the hordes head for places like Punta del Este? Or don't they?

 

[Napoleon]

If you're of a certain ilk, then everyone you know is getting out of town for Christmas. If you're on the street, then the place seems overflowing with tourists and people doing last minute Christmas shopping.

If 100,000 people go to Punta del Este, then there are still ~13.4 million people in the greater Buenos Aires area.

The city fills up with "People who are here for two weeks" or less this time of year. It's there summer vacation and they want to travel to Buenos Aires to see what's it's like.

If you want to see a dead zone, walk around the city from 8pm-11pm on Christmas Eve and then again from 8am-11am on Christmas morning.

By 2pm Christmas Day, Christmas is over.

If you want a dead zone, go to Tucuman or Lavalle between Riobamba & Junin the first week after the New Year. You can lie down in the street if in the middle of the day if you'd like. If you go to Palermo Soho, you'll get run over by English & Portuguese speakers even if you stay on the sidewalk.