The City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
A Budget Travel Guide to The "Paris" of South America
Oct 9, 2009
The delightfully affordable city of Buenos Aires, Argentina's federal capital, buzzes with activity late into the night. For museum-goers, shopaholics, dancing maniacs and history buffs alike, Buenos Aires is a paradise. The city is made up of a number of neighborhoods, each offering something special and unique. The neighborhoods, or barrios, tie this big city's exciting vibe together to create an ideal destination for your trip to South America.
Getting Around Buenos Aires
Linked by South America's oldest subway system, numerous taxis, and a network of public buses, you can get just about anywhere in the city with plentiful (and affordable) public transportation. While taxis are easiest to use, always ensure that you only take Radio Taxis. Tell your driver the street intersection as opposed to the specific address; this makes you sound more knowledgeable and makes it less likely that a scam will be attempted. Also, use small bills and check your change to make sure it's not counterfeit. The subway, or subte, is very cheap but to get to some places you'll have to walk or combine with a bus, or colectivo. City buses go just about anywhere and everywhere, but are unreliable and often late.
The Neighborhoods, or Barrios
- El Microcentro:
This is the city's bustling heart. For shoppers, the pedestrian-only shopping street of Florida is lined with stores--just beware of pickpockets and price gouging along this crowded avenue. For history buffs, Plaza de Mayo features the famous Casa Rosada, or Pink House. This grand government building is Argentina's rosy-colored presidential palace. On Thursdays, watch in the plaza for solemn protest marches by mothers of victims in Argentina's "Dirty War." For lighter-hearted fare, numerous discotheques, restaurants, and bars are also plentiful all around this city district.
- La Boca:
This neighborhood is home to a vibrant outdoor market, colorful hand-painted buildings, and one of Argentina's most important football stadiums. Watch for the tango dancers performing in the streets, and prepare to be amazed by the skill of female performers flowing over the cobblestone in high heels. While definitely worth your visit, the neighborhood is also notorious for criminal activity outside of the main tourist areas. Luckily, just about everything there is to see in La Boca can be seen without straying from the main path.
- Palermo:
The district of Palermo is arguably the city's trendiest, lined with the cream of Argentine nightlife. An endless array of ethnic restaurants, from Armeninan to Japanese, can be found here. Clubs, bars and discos are also all over this hip neighborhood featuring everything from live jazz to pumping electronic dance beats. Check out Plaza Serrano for a packed cluster of bars and clubs where the party goes all night. This neighborhood also features the city's main zoo, with caged and free-roaming animals sure to delight everyone from young backpackers to traveling families.
- Recoleta:
This wealthy neighborhood boasts European architecture, high-end shopping, bountiful cafes, and a famous cemetery containing the late Eva Peron, or "Evita." Every Sunday, vendors set up shop with handcrafts and other wares in the park just outside the cemetery. Musicians, clowns and other street performers are also a delight to watch during the Sunday market.
- Puerto Madero:
Buenos Aires' port district provides some phenomenal restaurant and bar selections, as well as a peaceful walk down its main boardwalk. Incredible architecture like Puente de la Mujer, or "Bridge of the Woman," can be seen up close (or, in this case, walked across). Use this neighborhood's water taxi, or Buquebus terminal, to get ferry tickets across the water to popular destinations in nearby Uruguay.
- San Telmo:
Tango lovers, prepare to be swept away – San Telmo is a historic neighborhood with some of the best tango, both indoors and out, available anywhere. Tango cafes, museums, and the city's oldest plaza can all be found within the narrow streets of this charismatic colonial district. Weekends, this neighborhood also has one of the city's best outdoor markets, worth a visit as much for the shopping as the cool atmosphere.
Suburbs of Buenos Aires Province
The fun doesn't stop at the border of the city, of course. In fact, some activities are best done in the province of Buenos Aires. Right in the city's suburbs you can kayak in the Tigre Delta or visit a religiously-themed amusement park. And, yet, this city still manages to be just one small part of the surrounding country. After experiencing Argentina, some end up staying longer than planned!
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