Five Things You’ll Love and Hate About Visiting Buenos Aires
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about Buenos Aires, Argentina! I used to go to school here, and I love this city! As much as I enjoy visiting Buenos Aires, there are also some things that I don’t love about Argentina’s capital city. So, today, I’m sharing the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate, about Buenos Aires, Argentina!
Love #1: Buenos Aires Neighborhoods
Buenos Aires has so many different neighborhoods to explore. La Boca is a colorful neighborhood with painted houses and tango dancers. San Telmo has Sunday flea markets that draw people from all over the city. Recoleta is famous for the Recoleta Cemetery, which is a must-see in Buenos Aires. Each neighborhood has a different feel, so it’s fun to explore several of them when you visit Buenos Aires.
Hate #1: Argentina Time
Everything runs a bit later in Buenos Aires, and the locals have a pretty relaxed attitude when it comes to schedules. If you’re an early morning person, you won’t find much going on in the morning. It’s a nice time to admire the architecture and enjoy some quiet time before the city wakes up, but not much will be open in the morning. The Natural Science museum doesn’t even open until 2 in the afternoon! This applies to mealtimes as well. Dinner is usually around 8 or 9 pm in Buenos Aires.
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Love #2: Buenos Aires Architecture
There is so much cool architecture in Buenos Aires. There are buildings from the 19th century, like the Palace of the Argentine National Congress. Each neighborhood has a distinct architectural style, so if you enjoy architecture, you’ll love Buenos Aires!
Hate #2: Inconsistent Service
We’ve had some amazing, attentive service in Buenos Aires. But we’ve also had some very lackluster, inattentive service at some Buenos Aires restaurants. So, just be patient and lower your expectations a bit and you’ll be fine. The people can also be a bit brisk, but that’s pretty typical for larger cities.
Love #3: Things to Do in Buenos Aires
There are so many things to do in Buenos Aires. They have excellent museums, including the National Science Museum and the Latin American Art Museum. The individual neighborhoods have festivals and markets, and there are a TON of great bars and restaurants in Buenos Aires. You can even take a quick day trip over to Colonia, Uruguay.
Hate #3: Taxis and Travel Scams
There aren’t really a ton of travel scams that you need to look out for in Buenos Aires. But there are a few little tourist rip-offs to be aware of. Most of them have to do with the taxis in Buenos Aires. They may claim to not have any change and try to force you to give them a larger tip because they can’t make change. That’s why it’s always good to have small bills on hand. Other places may try to tell you can’t use your credit card because you were given the “deal of the day,” when they clearly take credit cards.
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Taxis in Buenos Aires don’t have to pick you up, so I recommend booking a car service or a taxi through your hotel.
Love #4: Affordability in Buenos Aires
While Buenos Aires is not a super cheap destination, it is very affordable for a family of four. With so many diverse things to do, it’s really worth your tourist dollars, and you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck. As a bonus, if you happen to have small bills from the US, you can often pay in US dollars.
Hate #4: Street Obstacles
As much as I love to roam the streets of Buenos Aires, you have to be careful! For one thing, there’s a lot of dog poop in the streets! The sidewalks are also uneven and it’s easy to trip on broken cobblestones.
Crossing the streets is actually the worst part, though. It can be dangerous to be a pedestrian in Buenos Aires. Even if you have the walk light, you still should make eye contact with the drivers to make sure they are going to stop.
Love #5: Argentinian Food
Specifically, beef, wine, and ice cream are some of my favorite things about Argentina. Argentina is known for its beef and it is fantastic. It’s also a major producer of red wines, so you’ll have to have those to go with your steak. The ice cream is the icing on the cake when it comes to eating out in Buenos Aires. Try the dulce de leche, it’s amazing!
Hate #5: Buenos Aires Safety Issues
Many people wonder “Is Buenos Aires Safe?” As with many cities, there’s no clear yes or no answer. There are safe neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, and there are neighborhoods to be avoided. Talk to the people at your hotel and ask them which areas to avoid. For example, La Boca is a cool area in Buenos Aires, but I don’t recommend staying there after dark. Generally, if you stick to the usual travel safety precautions, you’ll be fine.
It’s hard not to love Buenos Aires, Argentina. It’s affordable and there are a ton of cool things to do. I really hope you will decide to visit Buenos Aires because it’s worth it! Want more of our South America travel tips? Check out some of our other blog posts: