Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires (BA or BsAs for all the cool kids) is vibrant city that will awaken all of your senses and leave you feeling ready to skip through the streets singing tunes from the Evita Musical at the top of your lungs. Fun fact: I visited Buenos Aires with one of my best friends, who is obsessed with Evita, and we did just that! You’d expect nothing less from a city that’s built to model the sophistication of European powerhouses like Paris, Rome, and Madrid, while also being the birthplace of the most sensual style of dance—the tango. An influx of immigrants in the late 1800s played a part in influencing the culture of the city today, creating diverse cultural hot spots all over the city.
Buenos Aires Planning Guide
- Where to stay: Ayres de Recoleta Plaza
- Flight details: Fly into Ministro Pistarini International Airport, also known as Ezeiza International Airport (EZE)
- Time of year visited: Fall
- Time in Buenos Aires: 3 days
- South America itinerary: 3 days each in Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Santiago, and 1 day in Iguazu (about 12 days off of work with travel!)
Save this map to use on your Buenos Aires trip:
- Click the star to the right of the map title
- Open the Google Maps app on your smartphone
- Click on the three lines in the upper left corner and select “Your Places”
- Select “Maps” and the map will be saved there for you to use on your trip. Have fun!
Favorite Moments
The Sights
Buenos Aires is so colorful—it’s really a feast for your eyes. From the La Casa Rosada (translation: The Pink House), where the president lives, to the interior of Teatro Colón, which is dripping in red velvet and gold, you can see the porteños‘ love of all things lavish. Get your camera ready!
Don’t Miss:
Plaza de Mayo, the central city square named for the 1810 revolution leading to Argentina’s independence, is a site in itself. It also includes La Casa Rosada and Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos Aires (Pope Francis’ “home” church), which are gorgeous inside. You could easily spend half a day exploring this plaza and the surrounding buildings. Make sure to also head over to the Teatro Colón for a tour of the interior. Every corner is more beautiful than the last!
Logistics:
A guided tour is the only way to see the interiors of Casa Rosada and Teatro Colón, and Teatro Colón tours sell out fast! When we arrived at 11AM, the only available spot for the day was in the late afternoon. Make sure to get your tickets in advance, so you don’t miss out.
The Sounds
In the birthplace of tango, there’s a rhythmic soundtrack to the city that can be heard wherever you go—especially in the colorful Caminito in Buenos Aires’ La Boca neighborhood, where you can see street dancers intertwined, moving to the music of a guitar. The performers are often happy to give you an impromtu dance lesson or take song requests. Grab a glass of liquid courage from one of Caminito’s many alfresco restaurants, and get out there.
Don’t Miss:
There are live, professional tango shows, including music, singing, and dancing, all over the city. Catch a show at Señor Tango. They are on par with the production of a Broadway musical. The set up is dinner and a show, giving you that taste of vintage date night.
Logistics:
No photography is allowed during the show, but you’ll be mesmerized by the performances and won’t think about anything else.
The Tastes
As with any major capital, Buenos Aires is on point with the cuisine options available. If you love to get a bit of local flavor, make sure to spend time in the Palermo Soho neighborhood. There are a ton of restaurants all centered around the Plazoleta Julio Cortázar, like Querido González. Just walk around, and you’ll find something you’ll love.
If you’re visiting on a Sunday (which you definitely should), don’t miss the Feria de San Telmo, a huge street market that runs down Calle Defensa. The restaurants and coffee shops on the street of the market are all outstanding.
