Marco's Travel Tips: Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the largest metropolitan area in Argentina, with a population exceeding 11 million. This sizeable city is spread out over a large land mass, much like Los Angeles, yet the downtown core has many skyscrapers like New York City. To get a really good appreciation of how enormous this city really is, you need to see it from the air.

Buenos Aires From Above


Puerto Madero


Retiro and Avenida 9 de Julio


Lodging

Like all major cities, the lodging options in B.A. are endless and varied, from luxury hotels to B&B's to rental apartments. If you prefer a more typical, traditional-style hotel, your best options will be found in the districts of Recoleta and Puerto Madero. If your tastes are more for unique, boutique-style lodgings, your choices will likely center around the districts of Palermo and San Telmo. No matter where you end up staying, you will undoubtedly find yourself exploring this city on foot, car, boat, and subway.

The Streets of B.A.


Getting Around

Buenos Aires is a very walkable city, but if you need to cover a sizeable distance, your choices include an underground Subway (called the Subte), an extensive bus system, and countless taxis.

Linea "A"


Now, one thing that I wouldn't advise is to drive in B.A. The drivers here in B.A. are absolutely crazy. There are no such things as stop signs at intersections and the lines in the road are just merely suggestions. As previously mentioned, this city is huge, has numerous one-way streets, and has a ton of traffic. Think New York meets Los Angeles, but worse.

Traffic Everywhere!


Things to Do

There is no shortage of things to do while in Buenos Aires. In addition to the sites and attractions that I have previously mentioned, this vibrant metropolis is chock full of historic buildings, churches, museums, theatres, and parks. Add to this, tango halls, fashionable boutiques, and atmospheric old cafes, there's enough to keep you busy for weeks. My recommendation is to concentrate on one or two neighborhoods each day and pick the sites that most appeal to you.

River Plate Stadium

Iglesia Ortodoxa Rusa

Puente de la Mujer

The most iconic bridge in B.A. is the Puente de la Mujer (Bridge of the Woman) which opened in December 2001. Designed by the acclaimed Spanish architect Sergio Calatrava, this elegant bridge is reminiscent of a couple dancing the tango.

Teatro Colón

One of the top attractions in B.A. is the Teatro Colón. Unfortunately, the theatre was closed during our visit, as it currently undergoes an extensive, multi-year, much delayed renovation. Scheduled to reopen May 25, 2010, the Teatro Colón ranks among the world's top opera houses. The original cornerstone was laid in 1889, yet the theatre didn't open to the public until 1908. Tales of the theatre's construction (and current renovation) read like the libretto to a complex Verdi opera. Nonetheless, the grandeur of the theatre should be seen if you are in B.A. and if the renovation is complete.

Restoration in Progress