Where to stay
Each with a unique cultural offering and a different story to tell, the many barrios (neighbourhoods) of Buenos Aires will make for an interesting stay, to say the least. Buenos Aires is blessed with a full range of international-brand hotels, mainly located in the historic downtown area or the plush and most cultured Recoleta District....
Things to do
From tango lessons (you know you want to) to cemetery walking tours, there is an incredible variety of things you absolutely must do in Buenos Aires. Wander through bohemian neighbourhoods bursting with colour, discover city squares that whisper stories of days gone by, and feel yourself filled with the kind of passion for life this ‘Paris of South America’ is known for. What will you get up to in Buenos Aires?
Travel tips
This is one fascinating city and the portenos (literally, ‘those from the port’) have a lifestyle all their own. First travel tip is to forget about early nights. Sure, you may be tired from walking all day but if you go to bed early, you’re going to miss Buenos Aires at its finest. Sleep in late, stay out late. It’s the only way. Another travel tip is to think ahead and check out the events planned at the Teatro Colon while you’re in town. Book tickets if something catches your eye – you won’t regret it. Check out some of our other Buenos Aires travel tips, below.
Getting Around
There are loads of options for getting around Buenos Aires, and if you want to travel beyond the city there’s an extensive train network to get you there. That said, one of the greatest delights of exploring Buenos Aires is getting to know the neighbourhoods, or barrios, on foot. Areas like San Telmo, Palermo Viejo and Soho, Recoleta, Balvanera and the microcentro (central downtown) are entirely walkable, and will often surprise and delight you with cosy bars or cafes you just stumble across. From a metro to abundant taxis, Buenos Aires transport is a breeze.
Where to eat
Buenos Aires locals start their day with a cup of freshly roasted coffee and a media luna (Argentinian croissant). For morning tea, try anything (usually cakes or biscuits) made with dulce de leche, which is a sweet, delicious milky caramel syrup – you won’t be sorry....
Shopping
If you are looking for some funky clothes from local designers, head to Palermo Viejo. You won’t necessarily find bargains, but you will be able to buy one-off creations that no one else in your hometown will be wearing....
Best time to travel
Buenos Aires sits around the same latitude as Sydney. The best time to travel to Buenos Aires depends on several factors (such as festivals and events) but if you’re travelling with only climate in mind, the shoulder seasons of Autumn and Spring have the mildest temperatures. Summers are warm with average highs around 28 degrees celsius and winters can be cool but are not cold. January and February tend to be humid (sound familiar?)
Parks
Wander around the streets of Buenos Aires and you’ll start to get a feel for the city’s French influence, most notable in the urban planning and landscape design. Lush green spaces are part of the city’s appeal, and enable visitors and locals alike to enjoy the climate and a little respite from busy city life. There is a Japanese garden, a garden that celebrates roses, a garden with a lake, gardens built around cemeteries and lots of other oases of green dotted around the city. Here are just a few parks in Buenos Aires worth exploring.
