Buenos Aires Travel Guide
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Top Attractions
Cheap Flying Tips
Where to Stay
Things to Do
Your Guide to Buenos Aires
No matter how veteran you are as a traveler, each new city brings with it its own element of mystery. While this mystery is part of the excitement of travel, the unknown can be a bit intimidating in some situations, especially in a city as captivating as Buenos Aires.
As such, for those traveling to Buenos Aires for the first time, this guide can help put to rest any lingering questions, making sure that you stay on the happy side of mysterious as you explore one of South America’s most captivating cities.
Top Attractions to Buenos Aires
As the second-largest city in all of South America and the political, social, and cultural capital of Argentina, there is no shortage of must-see tourist attractions in Buenos Aires. The following breakdown looks at three scenes you must take in when visiting this vibrant and bustling city.
Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada
The Plaza de Mayo is the place you must visit if you want to get a feel for the city’s historical architecture, with breathtaking colonial buildings giving visitors the chance to feel what life was like in Buenos Aires centuries ago. Established in the 16th century, the plaza stretches two blocks and has been the epicenter of many of the country’s most important historical events.
Among the many landmarks that you will encounter when walking through the Plaza de Mayo include the bustling Florida and Lavelle Streets, the famous Café Tortoni, and the pale pink Casa Rosada, the presidential palace from which Eva Perón addressed the multitudes of admirers desirous of seeing her.
La Boca and the Caminito Street Museum
If finding the hub for local art and culture is one of your top priorities in visiting a new city, then La Boca and the Caminito Street Museum is a must-stop destination on your tour of Buenos Aires. The most colorful neighborhood in the city, residents let their creative side shine, zestily decorating their balconies with all sorts of innovative sculptures and artwork.
When walking through the Caminito Street Museum, pedestrians can enjoy one of the most vibrant open-air markets and museums that South America has to offer. As if the string of brilliantly-painted buildings is not enough, visitors can stop at numerous souvenir and art boutiques or enjoy one of the many demonstrations of open-air tango.
The Metropolitan Cathedral
Regardless of your religious views, the breathtaking churches, synagogues, and temples around which many of the world’s most historical cities are built are worth a visit, and the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires is no exception.
With roots tracing back to 16th-century Spanish colonization, this Catholic church boasts a lovely Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque interior, along with an impressive collection of artwork. The Metropolitan Cathedral is also the resting place of General José de San Martín, one of the country’s most revered revolutionary heroes in its fight for independence from Spain.
The Experience Flying into Buenos Aires Airports
In addition to being one of the safest cities in all of South America, Buenos Aires is also extremely tourist-friendly from a travel perspective, with three airports serving the area:
- Ministro Pistarini International Airport, Ezeiza (EZE) – This is the largest airport in Argentina and handles the vast majority of long-haul flights. Located in Ezeiza, this airport is about 20 miles from the center of downtown Buenos Aires. With 74 non-stop flights between 19 countries, some of the most well-known destinations flying to and from EZE include Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, and Paris.
- Jorge Newbery Airport, known as Aeroparque (AEP) – Located in the Palermo neighborhood within city limits, this smaller regional airport is about 25 minutes from the main hotels and attractions in Buenos Aires. It primarily makes flights within Argentina and to neighboring countries in South America.
- El Palomar (EPA) – El Palomar opened in 2018 and primarily serves budget airlines making domestic flights, making it an option if Buenos Aires is just one stop on a more comprehensive tour of Argentina.
As a tourist, you will likely fly into Buenos Aires through EZE. However, all three airports have a wide selection of taxis and rideshare options to complete the final few miles of your trip, in addition to private shuttles to more exclusive destinations and public buses and trains for budget-conscious travelers.
If you enjoy traveling in style, you may also want to consider purchasing access to one of several private lounges located in the EZE terminal. Showers can also be rented at EZE if you find yourself in a delay and want to freshen up a bit.
The Top 3 Tips to Fly Cheap to Buenos Aires
As a travel enthusiast, you have likely developed a series of money-saving hacks. When traveling into Buenos Aires, specifically, there are three tips that you should strongly consider to have the best chance of getting the most competitive rate on flights:
1. Avoid flying in November, December, and January.
When the weather begins to turn bleak in many parts of the United States, tourists begin flocking south to take advantage of the Argentine summer. This not only pushes the price of flights higher but the cost of hotels and anything else tourist-related, too.
2. Book more than four weeks in advance.
While the sweet spot for getting the best domestic flight rates is generally between 2 and 6 weeks before the trip, the farther out, the better when flying to Buenos Aires. Flights from major US hubs can be had for as little as $600 round trip if booked far enough in advance, while you are likely looking at least double that if you book closer to your travel date.
3. Look at May and June as possible travel months.
If low fares are your primary consideration when planning your foreign travel, then look at May and June when heading to Buenos Aires, as demand is noticeably more lacking in these months.
Popular Areas of the City to Stay
Where to stay when traveling to Buenos Aires depends mainly on who you are traveling with and what activities you want to partake in along the way. This breakdown gives a wonderful glimpse of some of the most popular nesting places for travelers:
● Recoleta
The best area for first-timers, the architecture along the affluent streets can inspire a sense of wonder in travelers.
● San Telmo
The best option for budget travelers; the many brick buildings and warehouses will give the traveler a sense of Buenos Aires’ industrial traditions.
● Palermo
The best area for nightlife, this is the choice for travelers who want to dine out and socialize with the locals.
● Villa Crespo
If you want an authentic, middle-class experience of what life in Buenos Aires is really like, this is the choice for you.
● Belgrano
This is the place to stay if you are traveling with your family, as you are sure to meet many friendly faces in this neighborhood’s parks.
Popular Hotels in those areas
Although there are more traditional accommodation options that are increasingly embracing home sharing alternatives, there are nonetheless many great hotel choices when staying in these neighborhoods:
Affordable Hotels
- Recoleta – If you want amazing views of the city and upscale art and decor on your first trip to Buenos Aires, you cannot go wrong picking the Esplendor Plaza Francia. Its artsy confines and proximity to the hubbub of Buenos Aires life make it a particular favorite for solo travelers.
- San Telmo – If you are not afraid of walking up a few stairs, the cozy L’Adresse Hotel Boutique can provide you a 4-star stay for an affordable price tag and keep you within walking distance of the famous Plaza de Mayo.
- Palermo – Surrounded by numerous restaurants and bars and offering an outdoor hot tub and garden, the Palo Santo Hotel is the place to be if you are looking to have a good time.
- Villa Crespo – The Vera is an apartment-style hotel that vibes with the Villa Crespo neighborhood’s authentic experience, all while offering additional amenities such as a pool and fitness center.
- Belgrano – With extra room a necessity when traveling with your family, the Argenta Suites Belgrano offers an array of furnishings and stylish features that will make your family feel right at home.
Popular Airbnb Listings
While the hotel choices in Buenos Aires are strong, those wanting a more personalized stay have nothing to fear, as the Airbnb selection in the city’s popular neighborhoods will appeal to the wants and needs of a wide variety of travelers:
Midtown
Recoleta – Hosted by Superhost Santiago, this Departamento Recoleta is an affordable, no-frills apartment that provides guests what they need when coming home after a long day of exploring the city.
- San Telmo – For a mere $28 per night, travelers can get an entire loft with two beds while remaining close to many of the city’s historical landmarks.
- Palermo – This entire studio apartment can be rented for just $30 per night and is close to the zoo, botanical gardens, and Palermo Woods.
- Villa Crespo – Superhost Cristian lists this loft-style apartment for just $13 per night. If you are okay cozying up with other travelers in this space that features several similar partitions, you can enjoy a piece of Buenos Aires life at an amazingly low price.
- Belgrano – Suitable for a family of four, Superhost Marcelo provides his premium apartment for just $19 per night.
Top Things to Do in Buenos Aires
With a population of nearly three million people and a sprawling, historically-rich landscape, you could spend years of your life exploring all of the fantastic attractions in Buenos Aires. Nonetheless, numerous lists have been compiled to make sure that tourists do not miss any of the bright spots, with the following some of the can’t-miss choices:
- Fair of the Mataderos – Ornately-costumed tango dancers, gauchos on horseback, and a healthy fix of arts, crafts, and food, the Fair of the Mataderos gives you an incredible selection of Argentine culture.
- Rose Garden Walk – Whenever you get your fill of the bustle of Buenos Aires, the Rose Garden walk will give you a much needed zen moment. Located in the Palermo Woods, there are over 1,000 species of roses in this breathtaking space.
- Puerto Madero – If you want to enjoy the dazzling array of city lights while taking an evening stroll on the waterfront, the Puerto Madero is just what the doctor ordered. In addition to a peaceful evening stroll, there are several trendy restaurants and tango dancing clubs in the vicinity.
Coolest Airbnb Experiences in Buenos Aires
In addition to the countless tourist attractions in Buenos Aires, there are many customized experiences sponsored by Airbnb and its hosts, giving you the chance to see the city from a side that the general tourist may not be aware of. Some Airbnb experiences you may want to check out include:
- Secrets of Asado in Buenos Aires – When traveling, exploring local cuisine is a no-brainer. This demonstration gives you a background on the importance of asado in the Argentinian culture and the best ways to prepare this favorite local dish.
- Be a Gaucho for a Day – After a 15-minute drive on dirt paths, you will arrive at an authentic gaucho ranch. Riding on horseback, you will get to explore the countryside on the outskirts of Buenos Aires and experience the stock, landmarks, and terrain, just like real-life Argentinian cowboys.
- Spanish Classes in Palermo Soho – Despite being one of the most widely-spoken languages globally, the dispersion of Spanish-speaking countries across Europe, North America, and South America lead to many regional differences in the tongue. These classes will be sure to get you up to speed on the Argentinian slang and pronunciation.
Final Thoughts
As South America’s second-largest city, there is no shortage of things to do in Buenos Aires. By considering the travel, accommodation, and sightseeing tips listed in this article, you are sure to be able to make the most of your Buenos Aires experience as economically as you desire!
