A Renter's Guide to Buenos Aires Vacation Apartments

Renter's Guide

A renter’s guide to the characteristics of vacation apartment rentals in Recoleta and Palermo

Buenos Aires Apartment Sizes & Rents

Studio Apartments
Average size of a Buenos Aires studio is 350 sq. ft. Studios generally rent for US$350 a week, US$950 a month. Most studios have a full size kitchen or a kitchenette and a full bathroom.

One Bedroom Apartments
Average size of a Buenos Aires one bedroom is 500 sq. ft. A one bedroom generally rents for US$373 a week, US$1,000 a month. Most one bedroom apartments have a full size kitchen and full size bathroom.

Two Bedroom Apartments
Average size of a Buenos Aires two bedroom is 700 to 1,000 sq. ft. A two bedroom generally rents for US$550 a week, US$1,500 a month. Most have 1.5 bathrooms, only newer modern two bedroom apartments have 2 full bathrooms. All two bedroom apartments have a full size kitchen.

Three Bedroom Apartments
Average size of a Buenos Aires three bedroom is 800 to 1,200 sq. ft. Three bedrooms are hard to find in the Buenos Aires vacation apartment rental market. But, most all three bedroom apartments have 2 full size bathrooms and a full size kitchen.

Buenos Aires Apartment Features

Street or Interior Facing
Street facing, or frente, usually provides a more pleasant view, but with increased noise due to traffic. Higher floors usually have less street noise.

Interior facing, or contrafrente, usually has a less esthetic view because the backside of apartment buildings are not as well maintained and painted as the street side. Interior facing apartments usually have less street noise and tend to be quieter.

Floors
Argentina uses the European system for numbering floors. Ground floor is planta baja, or 0 (zero). The floor above planta baja is the first floor, or 1. Elevators use PB or 0 to designate the ground floor.

The average apartment building in Recoleta or Palermo is about 8 to 10 stories. Some apartment buildings can have up to 30 or more stories, but they are not the norm, and tend to be more modern.

Balcony or French Balcony
A balcony, or balcón, provides enough space for outdoor furniture such as two chairs and a small table to be used to enjoy fresh air and sunshine. North facing balconies receive the most sun.

A French balcony, or balcón frances, is a more cosmetic, architectural feature and is not large enough for outdoor furniture, but large enough for a window flower box.

Elevators
Traditional French style buildings of Recoleta and older apartment buildings do not have automatic elevators, as they tend to have two sliding gates that have to be opened and closed manually. Failure to close both elevator doors after use will cause great inconvenience to your neighbors, because the elevator will not move until both doors are closed securely.

All elevators have capacity limits, both passenger and weight, and must be followed. Newer modern buildings have automatic elevators.

Air Conditioning & Heating
All air conditioning is by the ‘split’ system, or individual room air conditioners. Very few if any apartments have central air conditioning. Split air conditioners can be delicate and if left on too long, or run too cold, can freeze up and malfunction. Many split air conditioners also serve as heaters in the winter, but not all.

Many apartments have centralized heating systems which operate by heating the apartment floor. A central boiler is most often located in the apartment building basement which sends hot water thru the building floors. Usually each individual apartment will have a valve to regulate the amount of hot water that circulates thru the apartment floor. But, this valve is not a traditional thermostat control. These central heating systems are turned on and off by the building supervisor during the winter, or during cold spells.

Washers & Dryers
Studios and 1 bedroom apartments do not have washers and dryers due to space constraints. Some 2 bedroom apartments will have washers, but not dryers. Both washer and dryer are usually only found in newer 2 bedroom or larger apartments.

Laundromats are plentiful in the city of Buenos Aires and all offer valet service. Drop your laundry off in the morning and it will be washed and dried for you by late afternoon.

Buenos Aires Apartment Building Amenities

Pools
Pools, or piletas, are generally found in newer apartment buildings only. Very few Recoleta apartment buildings have pools. Most pools are not heated. Roof top pools offer great views, but very little space for sunning. Ground level pools generally offer more space for sunning and a garden area, and a play are for children. Not all pools permit children. Pools are only opened during the summer, closed in winter.

Gyms
Same as pools, gyms are generally found in newer apartment buildings. The quality and age of the gym equipment varies greatly.

If the apartment building doesn’t have a gym a local gym, which are plentiful, will gladly welcome you as a short term member for a reasonable fee.

Community Rooms
Community rooms, or SUMS, are most often found in newer apartment buildings and are rented to hold parties and meetings. Some community rooms have kitchens, outdoor grills and other amenities. The building superintendant is usually in charge of the community room calendar and taking reservations. Some buildings may charge a rental fee or cleaning fee for the use of the community room.

Garages & Parking
Most temporary vacation rental apartments do not provide garages or parking. Public parking garages are plentiful throughout the city of Buenos Aires.

Maintenance, Security & Building Rules in Buenos Aires

Building Supervisor
The building supervisor, or encargado, is responsible for the maintenance and cleaning of the building’s common area and front sidewalk. The building supervisor is a unionized worker, most often wearing a light brown uniform. Some building supervisor’s also monitor the main entrance door and lobby during the late afternoon. The building supervisor lives in the apartment building, usually in an apartment on the roof, or ground floor. All apartment buildings have a building supervisor.

Security Guard
The security guard is most often contracted thru a security company and provides 24/7 or evening only coverage and is stationed in the apartment building’s lobby. Security guards are required to ask for photo identification or anybody entering the apartment building that is not a resident or temporary renter. Not all apartment buildings have security guards.

Building Rules & Regulations
All Buenos Aires apartment buildings have written rules and regulations that govern the use, occupancy, noise and trash service that residents must follow. Failure to obey these regulations may be grounds for termination of the temporary apartment rental contract. These rules and regulations are usually included in the rental contract.

Property Management

While it is true that all apartment buildings have a property management company, not all vacation apartment rentals are professionaly managed. Renting a professionaly managed apartment offers many advantages. One of the most important advantages is knowing that if something does go wrong with the apartment there is professional that will take care of the problem for you.

We offer a complete inventory of managed apartments in Buenos Aires for short term rentals: studios, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom and 3 bedroom apartments. We invite you to rent one of our professionaly managed apartments:

Recoleta

2 bedroom - Libertad

2 bedroom - Riobamba II

2 bedroom - The Haven

2 bedroom - Tucuman

1 bedroom - Santa Fe

Palermo

2 bedroom - Ayres de Bulnes

1 bedroom - Guemes

studio - Bulnes Plaza

stuido - Bulnes Rio

Palermo Soho