South America

Colours and Tango: a quick guide to La Boca in Buenos Aires.

A quick guide to La Boca

Buenos Aires is a city of many contrasts and surprises. When you enter La Boca neighbourhood, you can see what I mean. This is an extravagant part of the city, full of romantic stories and very different from the modern and old zones of the capital. It is the most picturesque neighbourhood in the whole of Buenos Aires and it feels like a little Italy in a big city.

La Boca, Buenos Aires

Usually crowded, with many restaurants tempting with flavours and sensual tango shows, La Boca seems to be the life organ of the city. I usually keep away from overcrowded, tourist places, but let’s be honest…some places just need to be visited. Before my trip to Buenos Aires, I was impatiently waiting to stroll along Caminito (a famous street and a soul of La Boca) and be surrounded by the colours and tango sounds.

Although I liked La Boca, I must admit that I was a little bit disappointed. With its natural vibrancy, there’s no need to overly try to make this neighbourhood visited by tourists. I think it is over-commercialized and does not need to be. Street artists, La Boca football fans (fans of Boca Junior- “the most important in the world”) and tango dancers are enough to create a unique atmosphere there, so what is the deal with the figure of the Pope meeting up with Maradona and the president waving from the balconies? Or chacarera dancers (although pretty)? For me and my half-born Argentinian companion, it was a little bit too much of everything. It is even on the border of being kitschy. And maybe tourists will continue going there driven by curiosity about the poor colourful neighbourhood, and many of them won’t be fooled. I would say: keep simple and original.

By late 1800, La Boca was the main harbour and the entrance of water-based traffic to Europe. It was a point of arrival to Argentina for many immigrants, mostly from Italy. Now, a curious point for visitors and tourism businesses.


Favourite travel resources:

  • Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
  • Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
  • Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
  • World Nomads travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
  • Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
  • Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
  • Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money.
  • Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
  • Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.

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Chacarera dancers

What to see in La Boca

  • Caminito: Walk along Caminito Street, the heart of La Boca, adorned with vibrant buildings painted in striking colors. It’s a famous pedestrian street filled with tango dancers, street performers, art displays, and local crafts.
  • La Bombonera Stadium: Visit the famous La Bombonera Stadium, home to Boca Juniors, one of Argentina’s most iconic football clubs. You can take a guided tour to explore the stadium, see the trophy room, and learn about the club’s history.
  • Museo de Bellas Artes de La Boca Benito Quinquela Martín: Explore the Benito Quinquela Martín Museum, dedicated to the works of the local artist Quinquela Martín. The museum houses a collection of his paintings, as well as other contemporary art exhibitions.
  • Fundación Proa: Visit Fundación Proa, an art center showcasing modern and contemporary art exhibitions. The building’s architecture itself is notable, offering panoramic views of the neighborhood and the river.
  • Street Art and Murals: Wander through the streets to admire the vibrant street art and murals that decorate many walls, showcasing the area’s cultural and historical stories.
  • Tango Shows and Performances: Experience live tango performances at local venues or open-air spaces. The area is known for its tango culture, and you might catch impromptu performances in the streets.
  • Local Markets: Explore the local markets such as Feria de San Telmo, where you can find unique crafts, artworks, and souvenirs handmade by local artisans.
  • La Boca is a little cultural refuge. You can meet there many artists and handcrafters. Apart from that, there are small cinemas, photography schools and art studios.
  • Dining and Traditional Cuisine: Taste the local cuisine at traditional parrillas (steakhouses) and enjoy classic Argentine dishes like empanadas, asado, and choripán.
  • Barrio’s Historical Significance: Learn about the neighborhood’s history and its immigrant roots, which played a crucial role in shaping the cultural diversity and identity of Buenos Aires.
  • Caminata Guiada (Guided Tour): Consider taking a guided walking tour to gain deeper insights into the neighborhood’s history, culture, and the stories behind its iconic landmarks.

Safety in La Boca

Remember that La Boca, while vibrant and culturally rich, is also known for some areas with safety concerns, particularly outside the main tourist areas. I would recommend sticking to well-traveled streets and tourist attractions, especially if exploring in the evening or at night.

Where to stay in La Boca

Although I believe there are better areas to stay in Buenos Aires (mainly because of not being too safe), here are a few suggestions if you decide to spend some time in La Boca. I listed some best accommodation options for Buenos Aires in this post.

La Boca, Buenos Aires


See also:

A quick guide to Potosi, Bolivia: all you need to know

Salta la Linda. A city in the north of Argentina you should visit.

Wine, sun and art. Visiting Mendoza, Argentina.

Walks in Patagonia. Searching for Bambi in Bosque de Arrayanes.


La Boca, Buenos Aires La Boca, Buenos Aires

La Boca, Buenos Aires

 

La Boca, Buenos Aires

Restaurants in La Boca

There are many restaurants in La Boca to get tourists. To me, it is too touristic and talking from experience, often disappointing. So if you fancy trying typical Argentinian food or that famous pizza, go to Banchero (a little bit outside of the main part of La Boca), which I mentioned in the past. They serve an excellent kind of pizza with tons of cheese and onion called ‘fugazzeta’.

La Boca, Buenos Aires

La Boca, Buenos Aires

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La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina


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  1. I love the mix you describe in La Boca — the strange, over-the-top touristyness of it, mixed with the authentic and rich culture of artisans and handcrafters. And the colors in those photos just make me swoon, especially that red lamp post!

  2. What a splendidly honest review. I am not fond of the overly touristy spots either. Just keep it clean and simple and let it sell itself is my way of thinking. Once again, your photos are absolutely wonderful and evocative.

    1. Thank you Kelly.It’s a pretty place to see, but the comercialism there spoils the experience a bit. Nonetheless, it’s worth visiting. There are other spots In buenos Aires I could highly recommend, I will be writing about it a bit later.

  3. These photos are FANTASTIC!!! The colors are so vibrant. I agree with you on finding some place to eat ‘off the beaten path’. When I travel I like to ask the locals about where they like to eat.

  4. Wow, Anna. I LOVE the colors! How fun. What language is that in your translations? Is it Portuguese? I am studying Spanish and I know it isn’t that.

    Sadly, although tourism does allow us to see other parts of the world and learn about other cultures, it also ruins the natural rhythm of some cultural places and this is unfortunate. I felt like that when I went to Stonehenge. I was so excited to see it, and when I arrived I was shocked and disgusted by how touristy it was. Ruined ruins.

    Thanks for a thoughtful post.

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