Dear Guests:
Welcome to Buenos Aires! 🇦🇷

We are so happy that you are here that we put together this special Buenos Aires Travel Guide just for you.

This document was designed to help you make the most of your stay, with suggestions for lodging, tours, gastronomy, and practical tips to get around and discover the best of the city and its surroundings.

👉 Here’s a LINK to a personalized Google Maps with all this information and MORE! Save this guide for when you’re walking around: the marked places are a hit!

About Buenos Aires

It is a city that was founded twice; a mix of Paris in Latin America, but with Italian pasta culture, Basque surnames, eclectic architecture, the widest avenue in the world, colorful flowering trees, and cafés on almost every corner.

There is culture, sports, art, amazing food, parties, and festivals.

Where to stay

We recommend two areas for accommodation, whether in a hotel or Airbnb:

Palermo: the cool area. Lots of green and parks, plus the best bars and restaurants. There are 5 “Palermos”:

• Soho: the classic mix, with a bit of everything.

• Hollywood: trendier.

• Chico: the embassy district.

• Botánico: more residential and well located.

• Los Bosques: the green park area.

• Recoleta: more elegant, with museums, shopping, and classic architecture. Located more in the city center with better public transport connections.

Chacarita, Belgrano, or Villa Crespo can also be good options, as long as they’re close to Palermo

Hotels in Palermo

Of course, Airbnb is an excellent option!
But if you prefer a HOTEL, you can check out:

• Legado Mítico $$$

• Casa Sur Palermo $$$

• Dazzler by Wyndham Palermo $$

• Mine Hotel Boutique $$

Hotels in Recoleta

• AQ Tailored Suites $$$

• Casa Sur Recoleta

• Casa Bevant $$

• Up Recoleta Hotel $

Hotels in Luján / Pilar

Close to the wedding venue (Tip: request early check-in or late check-out and coordinate an Uber in advance):

• Hilton Pilar $$$

• San Ceferino $$

• Wyndham Garden Luján $$

Transportation!

• Uber and Cabify work very well (sometimes Uber may send a regular taxi). Payment by credit card or cash.

• SUBE card: Buenos Aires transport card (not so easy to get, though). Some buses are starting to accept credit cards.

• If you don’t want to spend on rides, the City’s EcoBici system can also be used by tourists.

How do I pay?

Currency Exchange

• Bring EUR or USD in large bills (ideally 50-$100 bills, new and in good condition).

• The rate varies, but it’s around AR$1500 per 1 EUR.

• Western Union usually offers a good exchange rate.

• Most restaurants accept cards (sometimes with a 10% surcharge).

Tips

• Restaurants: 10% (15% if service was excellent).

• Not customary to tip taxi drivers.

• Better to pay taxis and tips in Argentine pesos.

Recommended Exchange Houses:

• Fast Cambio (in Recoleta, with good opening hours).

• Juaco Richards can coordinate advance exchange: +54 9 11 5098-9826.

Kick Off

Whether you have lots of time or not, I always recommend taking a tour. It’s great to understand the city: the architectural codes of different eras, the neighborhoods, and the extension of Av. 9 de Julio, where each square represents a province of Argentina.

• The Obelisk is the city center and divides it into north (wealthier) and south (poorer).

• On the Ministry of Public Works building you’ll see Evita Perón’s mural: angry, facing north; smiling, with a flower on her suit, facing south.

Tourist Bus: We recommend the City of Buenos Aires yellow bus. Duration: 3 hours, hop on hop off.
Free Walking Tour: Available in Recoleta, Retiro, or Plaza de Mayo. Paid option in La Boca at 1 pm.

Day 1 – Part A

If you have limited time, here’s a bird’s-eye view of the best city in the world.

• Start your day with coffee at The Shelter Coffee in Recoleta.
  Arroyo Street is small and magical. Nearby you’ll find the Plaza of the Israeli Embassy, the Fernandez Blanco Museum – Palacio Noel, and one of Latin America’s best bars: Florería Atlántico. It’s a speakeasy, and the owner even makes his own gin and tonic water, because he said no tonic was good enough for “Gin de los Apóstoles.”

  (I digress, but if you can, go grab a cocktail there!)

• From there, head to Caminito – La Boca.
  Why? Because clichés exist for a reason. Go early before it gets crowded, and because this is where the first immigrants arrived in Argentina.

⚠️ Safety Tip: La Boca is in the south zone, and you should stay in the tourist area. It’s not safe at night. If you want to see the more local side, ask your Uber or taxi to drop you at Café Roma, and walk down Olavarría Street to see the mural at San Juan Evangelista School that tells Argentina’s story — with two rival kids (one from Boca, one from River) hugging.

• Caminito is about strolling, buying a cheap football jersey, saying hi to the dressed-up dogs, and checking out two highlights:

  • Museo Quinquela Martín (great to understand the neighborhood’s history).

  • A choripán at El Gran Paraíso’s Choripoint — enjoy it on their rooftop terrace!

Day 1 – Part B

From La Boca, head to Recoleta.
Why? Because it was the epicenter of Argentina’s founders.

The Río de la Plata was always dirty, so the upper classes moved to higher ground to avoid disease — Recoleta was the first.

• Start by seeing the Teatro Colón (from outside) on Av. 9 de Julio (the widest avenue in the world).

• Hungry? Walk to El Cuartito, a passionately local pizzeria. Try the flan for dessert. For ice cream, head to Rapanui.

• Stroll along Av. Alvear, our version of Fifth Avenue, until you reach the Recoleta Cultural Center.

  • Have a coffee at the iconic La Biela.

  • Visit Iglesia del Pilar (colonial style).

  • Enter the Recoleta Cemetery and use Google Maps to find Evita’s tomb (entry required). Don’t miss the famous Gomero tree!

• Museo de Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Museum) is worth a visit — each room is organized by family instead of style, which makes it dynamic.

• Across Figueroa Alcorta Avenue you’ll find the Law School of Buenos Aires with its iconic “Rocky Balboa” stairs.

Dinner Options:

• Fervor – a great spot for Argentine steak.

• La Rambla – try a classic lomito sandwich.

• Norimoto – excellent sushi.

EXTRAS!

• Want to hear authentic tango? Take a taxi to Boliche de Roberto, a 130-year-old bar. Sit at a small table, drink cheap wine, and listen to tango and milonga.

• Want nightlife? Head to Makena in Palermo — there’s always something happening!

Day 2 – Part A

Second day in Buenos Aires!

• Start at Plaza de Mayo.
  Why? Because the whole history of Argentina can be read here. And if you like architecture, you’ll see every style that shaped the city.

• Then, head to the Obelisk on Av. 9 de Julio. While you’re there, look up “Av. 9 de Julio World Cup 2022 final” on YouTube. (It’s insane).

• From there, walk along Diagonal Norte to Plaza de Mayo:

  • Metropolitan Cathedral, with the Eternal Flame for San Martín’s remains (he led the Andes crossing to secure independence).

  • Cabildo, showing colonial architecture.

  • Casa Rosada (Government House).

💡 Fun fact: If you see a small Argentine flag above the main dome, it means President Milei is in his office.

• Then, head to San Telmo:

  • At Casa Ezeiza, you’ll see a traditional conventillo-style patio.

  • At Plaza Dorrego, you may find tango dancers or antique stalls (especially active on Sundays).

  • Watch your belongings.

📍 Café tip: Atis Bar – very Instagrammable, average food/service, but worth it on a sunny day.

• The highlight of San Telmo is the Market.

  • They sell veggies, spices, antiques, and food.

  • You’ll likely be offered dulce de leche samples.

  • Be ready to push through crowds rugby-style to grab empanadas!

  • Also try Saigón, the Asian restaurant on the corner.

• End the day in Palermo:

  • Don’t miss the private art collection at MALBA.

  • Shopping: Paseo Alcorta (great design, not cheap).

  • Then walk to the Planetarium and the Bosques de Palermo (bike or pedal boat rentals).

  • Cafés: Birkin near the Ecoparque.

  • Walk the Ecoparque (former zoo, now with free-roaming native animals like maras and peacocks).

Palermo Soho Highlights:

• Street art in Pasaje Russel.

• Burgers & fries with cilantro mayo at Burger Joint.

• Books at Libros del Pasaje.

• Coffee & avo toast at Cuervo.

• Cocktails at Rey de Copas (owned by the son of Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró).

• Speakeasy at UpTown Buenos Aires, themed like a New York subway.

• Bar-club at La UAT (rotisserie downstairs, bar & music upstairs).

Barracas: Stroll along Avenida Caseros — check out Nápoles, an Italian antique-food place with a shrine to Maradona.

• On Sundays, walk down Defensa Street for the San Telmo fair.

• For art: MACBA.

• For food: Café San Juan, a classic Argentine spot with a twist.

Why visit Puerto Madero?

Because it’s the newest part of Buenos Aires, super safe, walkable at any hour, with lots of green spaces and cool places to hang out.

• All streets are named after Argentine women — hence the famous Puente de la Mujer (“Woman’s Bridge”), designed by Santiago Calatrava.

• Don’t miss the bathrooms at Hotel Faena (yes, they let you in) — the hotel is eclectic and fascinating, designed by Alan Faena.

• Walk along the docks and grab a beer at Peñón del Águila or any of the waterfront bars.

• The Amalita Fortabat private art collection is worth a visit.

• Bikes can be rented from @bicibus (bring an ID as a deposit).

• For a different experience, visit Rodrigo Bueno, a nearby neighborhood with a gastronomic patio where you can try Peruvian, Paraguayan, or Venezuelan food at lunchtime.

Chacarita

Originally Jesuit farmland, Chacarita was once “under the radar,” but now it’s cool and upcoming.

• A great plan: breakfast at Cuervo Café, then visit Chacarita Cemetery (if the weather’s nice).

• Or, have breakfast at Salvaje Bakery, then walk through the Mercado de Pulgas (flea market).

• In the afternoon, enjoy drinks at spots like Sifón or La Fuerza (famous for vermouth).

San Isidro

San Isidro grew when wealthy families fled from contagious fevers in Recoleta. Close to the river, it’s a charming residential area.

• You can get there by train from Retiro (Mitre Line).

• Great breakfast spots: Blu or La Valiente Bakery.

• Visit the San Isidro Cathedral.

• Spend the afternoon at Perú Beach, with tables and lounge chairs by the water.

Tigre

Tigre was settled both by locals living on the Delta islands and by the British, who built the railway (that’s why trains and subways here run on the opposite side compared to most countries).

• A boat ride through the Delta is a must — you can book on the spot in front of the Fluvial Station.

• For lunch, try Kanoo on the island or spend the day at Isla El Descanso, a dreamlike park full of statues.

• Visit the MAT (Tigre Art Museum) — not a huge collection, but the building used to be the Casino of Tigre and is stunning.

• Walk there and treat yourself to ice cream at Via Toscana.

• For a local pizza experience, go to La Chispita, sit on the sidewalk, and enjoy it with wine or beer.

• Don’t miss the Puerto de Frutos, the local market for home décor and crafts.

• On Boulevard Sáenz Peña, you’ll find several good restaurants and a charming cul-de-sac decorated with colorful mosaic murals.