Venue

The workshop will be held at the "Salón Meridiano" building of the La Plata Observatory, house of the Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas of the Universidad Nacional de La Plata. The same premises of the Observatory hold the Instituto de Astrofísica de La Plata.

How to get to La Plata

From Ezeiza Airport

Check the web site of the airport: Aeropuertos Argentina 2000. Fixed-rate taxis are usually called "Remis".

To take a bus you'll need to buy a "SUBE" card. The SUBE can also be used in subway and trains (also cash accepted). The card can be bought and charged in kiosks and stores that show the corresponding sign.

Taxi: You'll find taxi stands right after you exit baggage controls. Taxiezeiza has convenient prices (To La Plata: about $1000. To downtown Buenos Aires: $550.) Manuel Tienda León charges $1400 to La Plata.

Bus: Manuel Tienda León also runs bus services. They need to be booked in advance. Price: $350 to La Plata. They offer discounts to groups and in return tickets. You can contact/book by email at reservas_laplata@tiendaleon.com.ar. Their time table is the following:

EZE-LP: 6:00, 8:30, 11:00, 14:30, 20:00, 22:30.

LP-EZE: 2:00, 4:30, 8:30, 12:30, 16:30, 18:30.

From Aeroparque Airport

Taxi: They stop on the curb outside the terminal. Be careful with scams. Ask them to put on the meter.

Bus: Recommended: take the ArBus. It costs $100 from AEP to LP. Tickets can be bought online, at their office in Domestic Arrivals, or with SUBE card on the bus. The schedule is not very dense, though.

Or: take a taxi or buses 33 or 45 to Retiro bus terminal. From Retiro take Plaza bus (number 129) to la Plata (via Autopista), or Metropolitana bus. You should pay the buses with SUBE card. Buses from Retiro to La Plata take about 1:30 hours. They will leave you at the La Plata bus station in Streets 4 and 42.

How to get to the Observatory

The Observatory is located in the heart of the large park known as "El Bosque". There is no public transportation inside the park. The most nearby bus stops are in Street 60 and in Street 1. Here is a site of the public buses (in Spanish only).

Alternatively, a taxi from downtown costs about 50 pesos.

Accommodation

There are several choices of hotels and hostels in La Plata. Here's a list of the ones closest to the Observatory.

Alternatively, you can use furnished apartments, which will give you the choice of cooking at home. Some companies: Alquileres Temporales, Departamentos Temporales, Altea Aparts.

Food

Lunch (around the Observatory)

Observatory Cantine: Low prices, no much room or tables. Simple dishes or take out. Sandwichs, salads, pies, empanadas, milanesas, chicken fillé.
Museum Cantine: Five min walk away. A few options similar to above. Good prices.
BBQ places: Several "parrillas" distributed in the park. Basic service. If you want beef all day, everyday, this is your choice. Book a health check upon returning.

Dinner (in the city)

Foodies
Rimbaud
Cervecería Alemana
El Vasco
Parrilla
8 y 54
Molly's
Baviera

Sightseeing

La Plata

The Observatory itself has a museum, old telescopes, guided tours and a planetarium
The Cathedral:One of the largest churches in South America. website
Pasaje Dardo Rocha: Cultural center in the old central train station. Theatre, exhibitions, museum. website
Teatro Argentino: Concert hall, exhibition centre. website
Museo de La Plata: Natural sciences museum near the Observatory. You can visit for free if you say you go to eat to the "buffet". website
Casa Curutchet: For architecture lovers. Designed by Le Corbusier. website

Around La Plata

Parque Pereyra Iraola: 18km north of La Plata, a large park with old architecture. It houses the Instituto Argentino de Radioastronomía.
Punta Indio: 100 km south of La Plata. Small town on the riverside. Beach, restaurants and souvenir shops. website

Buenos Aires

San Telmo: Old town in central Buenos Aires. Very touristy. Antique shops. Street shows and market on weekends. Lots of restaurants.

Puerto Madero:Old port transformed in the most modern and trendy neighborhood. Nice promenades, plenty of restaurants, nightlife.

Palermo: Traditional neighborhood turned into a fashion spot. Full of shops, bars and nightlife. It also has large parks, zoo, botanical garden, Japanese garden, planetarium and musuems.

La Boca: Working-class neighborhood by the Riachuelo river. tango and football culture. Boca Junior's home, the stadium "Bombonera" is here, with its statue of Maradona. Famous "Caminito" street. You can see art at the Quinquela Martín Museum, Fundación Proa, and La Usina del Arte.

Teatro Colón: Opera house. Aside of the shows, it offers guided tours to its marvelous architecture and decoration. Tour fee: $180. website

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes: European and Argentine fine art museum. Free entrance. website

Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires: Modern Latinamerican art museum. Free entrance. Cinema. website

Recommendations

Exchange rates may vary, but at the moment this is written (March 2016), it's 15 pesos per US dollar. Exchange offices (casa de cambio) can be found at the airports and downtown La Plata (on Streets 7 or 8, between 44 and 56).

Safety: Although the park around the Observatory has lately been a safe place, we don't recommend to leave the Observatory alone by foot after dark. Please walk the woods in groups or leave by taxi.

Power supply in Argentina is 220V and sockets are of two types as indicated in the image below. The most common plug currently is the bottom one.
PLUGS

Weather in early May should be cool, with temperatures normally around 10 to 20 Celsius. However, winter may come earlier with freezing temperature in early mornings and evenings. Before packing, check the current weather here: