South America · Argentina
Buenos Aires Travel Guide
Buenos Aires is the Paris of South America — a city of tango, steakhouses, ornate architecture, and a passionate intensity unlike anywhere else. The food, the nightlife, and the neighbourhood character are intoxicating.
How Do You Get Around?
Walk from the terminal to Puerto Madero and the centre (15 min). Subte (metro) is cheap and efficient. Taxis are affordable.
What Can You See in 6 Hours?
La Boca & Caminito — Colourful tin houses, tango dancers on the street, and the iconic Boca Juniors stadium nearby.
San Telmo — Bohemian neighbourhood with antique market (Sundays), tango bars, and cobblestone streets.
Recoleta Cemetery — Where Evita is buried. Extraordinary above-ground tombs and mausoleums. Free.
Plaza de Mayo — The political heart. Casa Rosada (pink presidential palace), the Cathedral, and the Cabildo.
Where Should You Eat?
Steak: Argentine beef at a parrilla. Bife de chorizo, chimichurri sauce, a Malbec wine. Don Julio and La Cabrera are legendary.
Empanadas: Pastry pockets filled with beef, chicken, or ham and cheese. 200-400 ARS each.
Dulce de leche: Caramelised milk spread. On toast, in pastries, on ice cream. Argentina's obsession.
Worth Exploring Independently?
Buenos Aires is walkable and the Subte makes it easy. English is less common than in Europe — Lucy's translation is valuable here. Ship excursions charge premiums for what you can explore yourself.
Useful Local Phrases
Hola, buen dia
Hello, good morning
(OH-lah, bwen DEE-ah)
Gracias
Thank you
(GRAH-see-as)
La cuenta, por favor
The bill, please
(lah KWEN-tah, por fah-VOR)
Che!
Hey! / Buddy (Argentine slang)
(cheh)
Local Tips
- •Argentine steak is legendary. Order a bife de chorizo (sirloin) or ojo de bife (ribeye) at any parrilla.
- •La Boca (Caminito) is colourful and fun but stay on the tourist streets — surrounding areas are rough.
- •Tango shows range from touristy dinner shows to authentic milongas (dance halls). San Telmo has both.
- •Argentina uses the peso but exchange rates fluctuate wildly. Check the 'blue dollar' rate.