Buenos Aires Argentina Travel Guide
Buenos Aires Argentina Travel Guide
Buenos Aires (the official name 'is Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires/Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, also called Capital Federal/Federal Capital) is the capital of the Argentine Republic. Its center is the Plaza de Mayo, lined with stately 19th-century buildings including Casa Rosada, the iconic, balconied presidential palace. Other major attractions include Teatro Colón, a grand 1908 opera house with nearly 2,500 seats, and the modern MALBA museum, displaying Latin American art. nhabitants of Buenos Aires are called porteños, "people from the port", implying that many of the inhabitants are immigrants in some ways or another. Buenos Aires is a singular, open, and integrating destination that allows the visitor not only to view the city but also to have an exceptional urban adventure.
Approximately three million people live in the City of Buenos Aires (the Federal Capital of Argentina with 202 km²). The City is divided into 48 districts or barrios(neighborhoods). Its metropolitan area, Great Buenos Aires (Gran Buenos Aires), is the 22nd most populated urban center in the world with over 18 million people. Most of the country's activity is highly concentrated in this single city and its surroundings.
Buenos Aires constantly receives tourists from all over the world and offers a large choice of cultural events, nightlife, restaurants, and pubs. So you can expect good services and a wide range of options.
The City of Buenos Aires has 48 districts called barrios or neighborhoods. The most important and visited are:
Microcentro: downtown, an ideal location for visitors to be near to the main historical spots of the Argentinean capital. Florida Street is located downtown and is a famous pedestrian street of the city, where visitors can do window shopping and buy clothes and other usual city goods. Many tourists came here, so it's well catered for tourists, though it's not an exact representation of the living area for the average citizens.
San Telmo: this district preserves colonial-style houses along narrow cobblestone lanes, illuminated with pretty wrought iron lanterns. In San Telmo, one breathes the history of Buenos Aires. There is also a very exciting, underground nightlife scene.
La Boca: considered Buenos Aires's most colorful neighborhood with a very outgoing personality. Tourists favor this picturesque district for its rich history and vibrant colors: greens, yellows, reds, and purples highlight the urban scenery.
Palermo: hip residential neighborhood of tree-lined streets and intersections packed with restaurants, bars, and boutiques. There are several "sub neighborhoods" such as Palermo-Viejo, Palermo-SoHo, Palermo-Hollywood.
Recoleta: one of the finest and most expensive areas of the city. It boasts many French style buildings, large green spaces, and first class restaurants. The famous Recoleta Cemetery is well worth a visit.
Belgrano: a residential and peaceful neighborhood with silent streets that lead to different shops, restaurants, architectural relics, and large green spaces. Belgrano's one of the most distinguished districts, and it's ideal for day walks along the wooded tile sidewalks.
Almagro: An original middle-class neighborhood, Almagro is a barrio located in the very center of the capital, with cheap empanadas, Chinese supermarkets, and greengrocer's, the smell of grilled meat from plentiful parillas, and a very big circular park that transforms into a market on Sundays. Also, home of Pierino, one of the most traditional pasta restaurants in the city.
Boedo: one of the main Tango and historical spots in the city, the streets of Boedo offer to native and tourist public a huge variety of cafes in the best “porteño” style, cultural centers , Tango houses, libraries, theaters, nice pubs, and restaurants. Places that please people from all ages and tastes.
Caballito: an average, middle-class neighborhood, the barrio has both plentiful amenities, spacious parks, and a good selection of shops and cafés including the well know Las Violetas, one of Buenos Aires' oldest and most grandiose establishments . On the other hand, there are cluttered, very busy, and unpredictable areas of Caballito that should require more thought for the average travellers to go there. Overall, it is a pleasant residential and commercial hub.
Congreso: a dense downtown area that houses the legislative branch of government, it resides at the opposite end of Avenida de Mayo from the Casa Rosada (Rosy House, or "pink house" as some would called it) seat of the executive branch.
Puerto Madero: just like the London docklands, the antique port of Buenos Aires has been renewed and now represents the latest architectural trends of the city. It has a mixture of restaurants, ranging from high end to U.S.A. chains such as Hooters and TGIF. It also has apartment buildings and a few expensive hotels. The Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur, an excellent alternative for nature lovers, lies nearby.
Once: a large immigrant population, mainly from Argentina's neighbors Bolivia and Paraguay, call Once home. The streets are always busy with people, markets, and outdoor sellers.
Retiro: hosting the main train station in the city, a busy area filled with commuters, but also home to some of the most luxurious restaurants, shopping, and partying, in the expat-friendly border of Microcentro. Retiro has attracted people from various kinds of lifestyles, without any strong attraction for any specific group of people.
Tribunales: this part of town has many theater shows, especially on Avenida Corrientes. On Libertad street there is the astounding huge Colon Theatre, one of the most prestigious in the world.
Transportation in Buenos Aires
The public transport in Buenos Aires is very good, although crowded during rush hour. The metro here is called the Subte, which is short for Subterraneo (underground). The network itself is not very large, but reaches most tourist attractions of the city, and there is a large range of bus routes and several suburban railways used by commuters. You can use Google Maps, or apps Moovit and Como Llego to plan your route.
You must use a card called SUBE to pay for public transport. The card works with every bus, metro and commuter train.You can buy this card at the stations. There are also several stores where you can recharge it (but these stores don't sell the card itself).
Finding your way around is relatively easy. Most of the city grid is divided into equal squares with block numbers in the hundreds, using a grid system similar to Manhattan, New York. Most streets are one way with the adjacent parallels going the other way, so be aware that the bus or taxi won't follow the same route back. If traveling by taxi, you simply need to tell the driver the street and block number.
Walking is a great way to get around Buenos Aires during the day. With the grid system it is relatively easy to get around and because of the traffic it may even be quicker than a taxi or bus. The larger avenidas are lined with shops so there is plenty to see. In the Micro centro, calle Florida is a pedestrian shopping street where you can walk from Plaza San Martin to Avenida de Mayo near the Plaza de Mayo. It crosses Lavalle (also pedestrian only) which takes you to the Plaza de la Republica and the Obelisk.
Commuter trains connect Buenos Aires’ center to its suburbs and nearby provinces. They mostly cater for local commuters and not tourists. The terminal stations are the same from suburban transportation. From Retiro station you can take the train to the Tigre Delta. There you can do a boat cruise and see the wetland and recreational area of the porteños.
The city has a subway network ("Subte", short form of "tren subterráneo", which means "underground train"). It is very efficient and you can save a lot of time by using it. It is cheap (7.50 pesos for unlimited transfer as long as you keep underground travelling throughout the network). If you need to be somewhere by 9AM or 9.30AM on a weekday, however, the Subte will be incredibly crowded and depending on where you are catching it, you may have to miss several trains in a row before there is space for you.
The principal means of public transportation within the city are the buses (colectivos). All rides inside the city border are the same very low price, as long as you are moving inside the city borders.
Wandering Buenos Aires
If you are a fan of walking in green open spaces and parks in big cities like Buenos Aires, be sure not to miss a promenade in Palermo, a beautiful area in the northern part of the city. Here you will find not only open spaces to walk in but also a large lake where you can rent paddle boats and a huge flower garden that is free to enter! Although the Japanese and the botanical gardens, and the surroundings are very nice, they are also very noisy as several major roads traverse the area. For a quiet, shady walk or jog head to the golf course north of the railway tracks.
Another great place to walk along and experience Argentine street life is El Puerto de Buenos Aires. Its personality, however, is quite contrasting during the day and during the night.
La Boca has the Caminito pedestrian street with arts and crafts. There is also a river cruise you can take from there where you can see a huge picturesque metal structure across the river. You can try and catch a rowboat to Avellaneda on the other side of the water for 0.50 pesos, but you will have to try your luck as the rower may not allow you on citing that it's dangerous. La Boca is famous for Tango and you can often catch glimpses of Tango dancers practicing in the streets. If you fancy having a picture taken with a tango dancer you can, but expect to pay a small fee. In addition to tango, La Boca is famous for its football, and you can take a tour of the La Bombonera Stadium where the buildings are painted in bright colors.
The prices for almost everything in La Boca tend to be 2 to 3 times higher compared to the rest of the city. It's very touristy since it is an enjoyable place with some authentic Argentine sights. La Boca is probably best enjoyed during the day when the streets are crowded and there are other tourists around; it is generally advised to be avoided at night.
There is no Subte to La Boca, but many buses go there.
The Cementerio de la Recoleta is where all the rich families in Buenos Aires have their final resting places. Expect to see big ornate tombs. Be sure to visit the tomb of Eva Perón, the daughter of an aristocrat and beloved First Lady who, despite having the most visited tomb in the cemetery, is considered by many to be too close toward the people for eternal interment in Recoleta.
The Palermo Viejo district is a trendy neighborhood with charming cobblestone streets, bookstores, bars, and boutiques; it is definitely better than the touristic San Telmo area for a nighttime excursion. The Palermo station, on D line, is the closest metro stop.
San Telmo is best visited on Sundays when tourists and locals alike flood in to attend the weekly street fair and flea market. Be watchful for good deals, and bring in your own water, as it's quite expensive here. On Sunday nights, there is a tango performance in the lovely plaza, which is specifically for tourists. (Visit an underground tango club for the most amateur experience. If there is advertising, or disco ball, then it's not an amateur)
Argentina has one of the largest Jewish communities in the world. They are established in some areas and concentrate in urban areas. By walking or by car you can discover the famous Kosher McDonald's, the oldest synagogue, visit the area and the Jewish museum and some art. There were 2 bombs against Jewish institutions so you can find memorial places. It is important to be with a Jewish tour guide to escort you and have access everywhere. There is a group of guides on blog LizFlor2 that can lead you.
Argentina has a renowned football reputation and the sport is very popular throughout the whole country. Buenos Aires and the surrounding suburbs are home to more than 15 Primera league teams, the two most internationally known being Boca Juniors (which resides in La Boca) and River Plate (which formerly resided in La Boca, but now resides in Belgrano). A game between these two legendary teams is called the Superclásico. Other popular teams that draw big crowds are San Lorenzo, Independiente and Racing Club, just to name a few. When any of these "big five" clubs (Boca Juniors, River Plate, San Lorenzo, Independiente and Racing Club) teams play against one another, it is a clasico or derby match.
A trip to Buenos Aires is not complete without some sort of experience of the Tango, the national dance of Argentina. A good place to go and watch some authentic Tango is at the Confiteria Idéal Suipacha 384 (just off of Corrientes, near Calle Florida. However, Tango is best experienced not in La Boca and on Calle Florida, but in the Milongas. A milonga is both a place where a Tango dance will take place, as well as a specific type of tango dance.
Milongas take place either during the day or late at night. "Matinée Milongas" usually start in the early afternoon and go until 8-10PM. They are popular with tourists who may struggle staying up until 5AM every night. Inside a milongas, you will find many locals who will be more than willing to show you how to dance. The night Milongas officially start at around 11, but don't fill up until around 1:30. They may go on until 5 or 6 in the morning. Some Milongas to note are: Salon Canning, El Beso, Porteño y Bailarin and Maldita Milonga.
Spend a night seeing what it is like to be a real gaucho. Live the life of an Argentine cowboy; ride horses, eat traditional gaucho foods, drink traditional gaucho wines, and dance like they used to do back in the day. A great way to get out of the city for a day and see another side of Argentine culture. Great for adults, kids, or anybody who ever wanted to be a cowboy when they were younger.
Buenos Aires has a reputation as one of the street art capitals of the world with huge murals covering tall buildings. The best street artists in the world come to Buenos Aires to paint due to the freedom the city offers.Buenos Aires Street Art Tours leads tours to see the biggest murals in the city in some of its lesser-known neighborhoods. Tours are in small groups with expert guides.
Buenos Aires hosts exhilarating skydiving activities within its clear blue skies. You can experience a 20 minute flight, followed by a 35 seconds free-fall, and a slow descent of nearly 7 minutes to enjoy a breathtaking view. Discover a unique bird's-eye view of Buenos Aires and its expansive pampas as you dive through 3,000 meters (9,000 feet) of open air. There is no better place to feel the adrenaline of a Tandem Skydiving Jump.
Food in Buenos Aires
While the primary consumption of Argentinians is beef, there are other options in this cosmopolitan city. Italian food is pervasive but in neighborhoods like Palermo, pizza joints are seeing heavy competition from sushi, fusion, and even vegetarian bistros. Just about everything can be delivered - including fantastic, gourmet helado (ice cream).
You will want to try asado (beef/steak barbecue) at a parrilla, a restaurant specializing in roasted meats. There are expensive parrillas, and more simple and cost effective ones. In either case you will likely have some of the best meat you have ever tasted. The bife de lomo(tenderloin) is unbelievably tender.
Pizza is a strong tradition in Buenos Aires. It comes al molde (cooked in a pan, usually medium to thick crust), a la piedra (baked in a stone oven, usually thin to medium crust), and a la parilla (cooked on a parilla grill, very thin, crispy crust). Best places: "Los Inmortales", "Las Cuartetas", "Guerrín", ·El Cuartito", "Banchero's", "Kentucky", "La Mezzetta" , "El Fortin". "El Cuartito" in Recoleta has a delicious "Fugazzeta rellena" pizza. This restaurant can be packed with families and friends even at midnight. "La Mezzetta" also sells "Fugazzetta rellena" and is a very traditional place at which on Fridays you may find a queue that starts outside the restaurant. In "Guerrin", ask for a slice of pizza muzarella with a glass of Moscato.
There are a lot of al paso (walk through) places to eat; you eat standing up or on high stools at the bar. Meals vary from hot-dogs (panchos), beef sausages (chorizos, or its sandwich version choripán), pizzas, milanesas (breaded fried cutlets), etc. Don't forget to indulge in the perennially popular mashed squash - it is delicious and often comes with rice and makes a full meal in itself. It is perfect for vegetarians and vegans to fill up on.
You can go to a huge variety of small restaurants, with cheap and generous servings, most notably the ones owned by Spanish and Italian immigrants. There are also many places which offer foreign meals, mostly Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Arabic, Spanish, and Italian.
The most expensive and luxurious restaurants are found in the Puerto Madero zone, near downtown, heading to the River Plate.
Accomdation in Buenos Aires
You will be able to find a good selection of budget and mid-range options as well as more luxurious and expensive hotels. Accommodation is scattered around the city; some places to look include:
San Telmo: budget hotels and hostels on the edge of downtown.
Palermo: chic boutique hotels on the higher end.
Recoleta: the fancy residential neighborhood is also home to the four-star and up crowd including the Park Hyatt.
Puerto Madero: an old port area which has been renovated and now hosts the best and most famous restaurants in town and multinational companies. Due to the fact that it is the most secure zone of Buenos Aires, lots of foreign travelers prefer to stay at hotels in Puerto Madero, such as the Hilton.
There are hundreds of apartments, ranging from economy to deluxe, and the prices are very good. As well as going through an agency, keep an eye and an ear out for individuals who rent their upscale apartments by the day, week, or month. Many times these apartments are three times the size of a hotel at half the price.
There is an enormous number (more than 150) of hostels. In the more famous hostels, booking in advance might be necessary, but you'll always find a dorm bed if you need it. There are many budget hotels where you can get your own room for no more than US$15 or US$20 per night.
Alot to see in Buenos Aires such as
La Boca, Buenos Aires
Cementerio de la Recoleta
Casa Rosada
Plaza de Mayo
Obelisco
Teatro Colón
Parque Tres de Febrero
Jardín Japonés
El Ateneo Grand Splendid
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
MALBA
Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos Aires
Plaza Dorrego
Palacio Barolo
Museo Histórico Nacional del Cabildo y la Revolución de Mayo
Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur
Floralis Genérica
Plaza San Martín
Puente de la Mujer
Jardín Botánico Carlos Thays
Belgrano, Buenos Aires
Galerías Pacífico
Florida Street
Congressional Plaza
Tango Show Buenos Aires
Paseo El Rosedal
Parque Lezama
Holy Land
Plazoleta Julio Cortazar
Plaza Italia
Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo
Museo Evita
Congreso de la Nación Argentina
Barrio Chino
Mercado San Telmo
Buenos Aires Central Business District
Planetario Galileo Galilei
Torre Monumental
Pirámide de Mayo
Museo Histórico Nacional
Fundación Proa
El Zanjon
Centro Cultural Recoleta
Kirchner Cultural Centre
ARA Presidente Sarmiento
Parque de la Costa
Manzana de las Luces
The Water Company Palace
Parque Centenario
Biblioteca Nacional Mariano Moreno
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