Here’s What You’ll Find at Cordoba’s Botanical Garden

If you want to surround yourself with a variety of diverse plant life, then Cordoba's Botanical Garden (El Jardin Botanico de Cordoba) is the idyllic place. Essentially, it's a conservatory of some of the most beautiful scenery and vegetation.

Of course, I had no idea that this place even existed until a few months ago, but I kept putting it off in light of my trip to Buenos Aires,working on my novels, and a couple of other things life had thrown at me.

In March, Cordoba's Botanical Garden became the perfect venue to celebrate our six-year wedding anniversary. But first, we decided to make a little pit stop at American Chicken, which is a decent clone of KFC.

 

Afterwards, we took a bus to the botanical garden, which was a bit further than we usually traveled in our host city. But would you believe it? Here we were getting ready to have a nice afternoon, and the sky turned gray.

My pissed off face

His "I'm over it" face

Fortunately, it didn't rain!

Now, I've visited the botanical garden in Buenos Aires before, but I wasn't expecting this one to be an exact copy, and it wasn't. So here's what you'll find in Cordoba's Botanical Garden.

Don't get me wrong. The botanical garden in Cordoba was lovely. There were man-made streams full of water lilies and a modest amount of plants you won't see in someone's front yard.

There was also a mini-museum intended for kids, which contained topographical samples of different environments in Argentina, as well as a variety of different flowers, seeds, and of course, fishes!

But for the most part, there was just a bunch of trees. 

The man-made lakes and streams attracted a bunch of mosquitoes and wasps. But those weren't the most annoying things around.

The garden offers photo shoot sessions with professional photographers, and some of the sessions that we stumbled on included photo shoots of babies, as well as shoots of teenage girls for what I'm guessing was their quinceañera (Sweet sixteen, but for a 15-year-old). That was probably one of the most annoying thing about the garden. We were trying to walk through the path, but we didn't want to be rude and interrupt someone's photo shoot, so we ended up either waiting for them to move on or we had to ask permission and deal with the photographer and parents' moody face.

Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore!

So we didn't find the level of harmony that the botanical garden in B.A. had, but there were plenty of  picture-worthy spots, and a nice twisted path that took us all around the garden.

Money doesn't grow on trees, but apparently, wine bottles do!

Since we had stuffed our faces with fried chicken, we certainly needed to walk off a few calories. Alright, more than a few.

We loved the cacti area! My parents and I moved around a lot when I was a kid, but I remember that there was this huge cactus tree that grew in my backyard. Maybe that's why I find these plants so soothing.

You might spend an hour and a half at most at the garden before heading out like we did! If you have kids, you might stay a bit longer. Oh, and you might want to watch where you step. While we didn't see any stray dogs, we did notice plenty of poop while we walked around. So my advice would be to stay on the path, avoid the grass, and take some nice photos with a group of friends or family members. 

Afterwards, we headed to the nearest Walmart, which was only a couple of blocks away and enjoyed lunch no. 2 at McDonald's.

The Cordoba Botanical Garden is located in  Francisco Yunyent 5491. If you want more information, you can check out their Facebook page by clicking here.

Until next time... 

A Practical Guide to Renting in Argentina: What Expats Need to Know

If you're moving to Argentina, finding a place to stay will be one of your first priorities. Since some of my blog followers have asked for the lowdown on renting apartments, Airbnbs, and hostels, I’ve gathered as much information as possible, along with some websites that might help you in your search for temporary lodging. Here’s what you need to know about renting property in Argentina.

Rental Contracts

On average, renting an apartment or home in Argentina requires a minimum two-year contract. You’ll also need to meet income requirements, and you might be asked to provide three guarantors. These can include people or properties you own that serve as collateral in case you can’t pay.

Legal Help

Some people recommend hiring a lawyer to navigate the paperwork, but in many cases, it’s not worth it. Unfortunately, many Argentine lawyers are unreliable or charge exorbitant, unnecessary fees, especially if you’re a foreigner. A better option is to work with a certified public accountant (contador público) who can notarize and legalize your documents.

Agency Fees

When renting through an agency (known as an inmobiliaria, or realtor), you’ll need to pay a 5% commission on the total contract value. If you decide to renew your lease for another two years, you’ll have to pay this fee again.

Additional Costs

Your monthly rent doesn’t include provincial and federal taxes or building maintenance fees (expensas). You’re also responsible for paying utility bills like water and electricity, which landlords rarely cover. Additionally, you’ll likely pay a painting fee when you move out, even if the property is in perfect condition.

Be prepared for a 12.5% rent increase every six months, as this is standard practice and written into most contracts. It’s legal, and there’s no way around it.

Appliances and Amenities

In the U.S., appliances like stoves and refrigerators are typically included in rentals. Don’t expect this in Argentina—you’ll need to buy your own. While it’s inconvenient, it’s a common practice here.

Updated in 2024: Renting Trends

As of 2024, the rental landscape in Argentina has shifted due to inflation and economic challenges. The Argentine peso continues to devalue, which means rents listed in pesos might seem low to foreigners paying in dollars. However, local landlords increasingly demand payment in U.S. dollars or link rent prices to the unofficial exchange rate (dólar blue), so negotiate carefully.

The government has introduced new rental laws, including updates to the Rental Law (Ley de Alquileres), which extend contracts to three years and limit rent increases to once a year based on an inflation-linked index. While these rules are designed to protect tenants, enforcement is inconsistent.

Short-term rental platforms like Airbnb are now subject to higher fees and taxes, driving up costs slightly. If you’re staying for a few months, consider negotiating directly with landlords for better deals.

Temporary Housing Options

If you’re not planning to stay long-term, consider using Airbnb, which can cost between $600 and $1,000 USD per month depending on the location and amenities.

Long-term rentals are listed on websites like Re/Max, which covers multiple provinces, including Córdoba and Buenos Aires.

I've screencapped some of the costs of apartments and homes that you can rent. So check out the prices and then go to their site, which provides listings for other provinces besides Cordoba, like Buenos Aires.

Hostels and Short Stays

For shorter stays, hostelworld.com is a great resource. It provides reviews, amenities, and price comparisons for hostels across Argentina.

Maintenance Issues

One of the biggest frustrations for renters is getting landlords to fix problems. Typically, you’ll need to report issues (like leaks, broken faucets, or mold) to the realtor, who will pass them on to the landlord. Unfortunately, repairs can take weeks or even months—or they may never happen. Legal action is slow and rarely worth pursuing, so be prepared to handle minor fixes yourself.

Dealing with Mold

Mold is a common issue in Argentine homes, especially during the winter months (June through August). While black mold is a serious health concern in the U.S., it’s often ignored here. If your landlord won’t address it, you’ll need to handle it yourself.

We’ve found that diluted vinegar works well to clean mold and prevent regrowth. Bleach can also be effective, but the mold often returns within a month. Staying proactive during winter is key to keeping mold at bay.

I hope this covers the basics of renting in Argentina. If you have any questions, feel free to ask—I’ll do my best to help!