Buenos Aires Travel Guide

Buenos Aires might be the nicest European city in the world. The fact that it’s nowhere near Europe makes little difference as it has that classic feel combined with a modern sense of organization that feels far from most of the rest of South America. The citizens are well educated and dress smartly and the food is excellent, particularly if you are a fan of beef. And this isn’t just any beef, it’s arguably the best in the world and it’s so widely consumed there that prices are bizarrely low at the same time. Vegetarians can get by, but they’ll be missing out of one of Argentina’s most talked about attractions.

What to do

One strange thing about Buenos Aires is its distinct lack of postcard-worthy tourist sights. Probably the most recognizable symbol of the city is the 18-lane boulevard that divides one side from the other, but there is actually plenty to see and do. Visiting is mostly about just being there, but there are world-class museums and excellent parks as well as fine classic architecture all over town.

Recoleta is an upscale neighborhood that is centrally located and here you’ll find an amazing cemetery, the most famous resident being Eva Peron AKA Evita. On the other side of downtown you’ll find the historic and bohemian neighborhood of San Telmo, the birthplace of the Tango. Just beyond that you’ll find the colorful working-class neighborhood of La Boca, which is said to be dangerous after dark, but definitely worth a visit during the day if only to see the home of South America’s most famous football club, the Boca Juniors.

Getting There

Unless you are arriving by bus or ferry from Brazil or Uruguay, you’ll likely be booking a flight into Buenos Aires’ suburban Ezeiza International Airport. Being a major city there are sometimes bargains to Buenos Aires during certain seasons. The airport is a long way out of town, but there are shuttle buses available that are cheaper than the long taxi ride. There is also a small regional airport right in Buenos Aires and you might use it for flights to the wine country of Mendoza or the spectacular Iguazu Falls area.

Where To Stay

Since the collapse of the Argentine Dollar in the early 00s everything is strangely cheap in Buenos Aires, although becoming a bit less so every year. There are quite a few hostels in Buenos Aires spread all over town. And of course hotels there are also available in every neighborhood. Recoleta is the most expensive area and a great place for tourists, but there are great bargains in the downtown business district just across the great boulevard and only 5-10 minutes away on foot.