How expensive is Buenos Aires these days? Any suggestions on what to do or see?

We are headed there on a stop over to Patagonia and would love some suggestions. Thanks

You will love the Patagonia, it has to be one of the most amazing places on earth. The skiing in winter ( July and August ) is fantastic, the food is delicious and the landscapes are incredible. Are you going to Perito Moreno? I hope you are! Buenos Aires is a little less expensive than the US, at this moment. It depends on what you want. You will find good deals in clothes - great original designs for regular clothes prices, also handbags, shoes and belts ( Argentinian leather retailers such as Prune, Carteras Italianas and Lazaro have really nice, chic designs at fair prices). Avenida Santa Fe is a nice shopping street, but you will find plenty of good stores in Malls such as Alto Palermo, Patio Bullrich ( an old cattle auction house converted into shopping mall),Galerias Pacifico-located in the popular La Florida area, Paseo Alcorta etc. Avenida Alvear is one of the most exclusive streets in town. You will find many famous designer houses such as Armani, Ralph Lauren, Escada, and others. The very chic Alvear hotel is also in this area, which approaches La Recoleta, named because of the cemetery where many important figures of Argentinian history and society are buried. The cemetery, and the whole area are worth a visit. Nearby you find Buenos Aires Design, a shopping center catered to interior designers and anyone interested in decorating. Cool stuff. Many nice places to eat or have a drink around. (Try La Caballeriza for good meat and fun athmosphere) On Sundays artisans put their work on display. Further down, on the Libertador Avenue you will find different museums worth a visit. Don't miss Puerto Madero, a former warehouse area refurbished, where on any given evening you find the nicest restaurants, I particularly like Las Lilas for steak. As Buenos Aires received inmigrants from many parts of the world, you can find restaurants for just about any kind of cuisine. Argentinians have a long tradition of eating well, so you won't be dissapointed, food is good almost anywhere! Don't miss the colourful La Boca district. Be sure to go with little to no jewelry on, no matter what area of the city you are in, just for precaution, and only take taxies from established lines. Buenos Aires is not an unsafe city, but common sense is always a good idea. Have a great trip!

It is not expensive, specially food, and lether goods.
When in Buenos Aires don't forget calle Caminito (La Boca), with its colourful houses, and crafts, and tango.
There is also a new Museum of Latin American Art (Malba).
The zoo is quite good as well.
If your a football (soccer) fan you can't miss the "bombonera", the stadium home to Boca Juniors. There are guided tour inside the stadium if the team is not training. Some agencies offer tours that include watching a football match.
A beautiful coffeeshop is "Cafe Tortoni".
Another option is taking a tour on the "tigre" river bank. The tour I took consisted in part of a ferry ride on the river and back to buenos aires in a train.

BA is a great city. Nice food, active nightlife, perfect destination before and after a trip to Patagonia. A Disco: Pacha; an Irish pub: The Kilkenny; a British pub: Gibraltar. Any cab driver should know these places. Also try El Gran Danzon for the best cocktail drinks in town. I lived there for a long time and recently moved down to Patagonia, to a place called San Martin de los Andes, precisely -there's a nice ski resort at mount Chapelco.
ARG$:US$ ratio is roughly 3:1, you can have a pretty decent meal for as much as 10 US. A drink ranges the 4 US. Average medium apartment rents for 300 US a month. Weather is usually hot and humid, and rains a lot in the winter, with mild temperatures. Well, good luck you guys in my city and my mountains!

Buenos Aires is among the cheapest in the world for the quality you get. A lot of things to see. It is said to be the Europe of Latin America. You won't be disappointed. If you like luxury but not at European rates try the Hotel Alvear (at least for a week-end). Great if you are married or have a girl-friend you want to impress.