Buenos Aires is the vibrant, cosmopolitan capital of the Republic of Argentina. Located at the mouth of the Río de la Plata, it has almost 13 million inhabitants and is surprisingly safe and clean. It's the perfect place to go for a leisurely stroll that is sure to leave you enchanted with this beautiful city.

A mixture of various European immigrant cultures, Buenos Aires has created its own unique identity that distinguishes it from other Latin American capitals.

There was a time when the Argentine capital dreamed of being Paris. The result of this dream is Buenos Aires: a European city in South America, lively and full of cultural events.

The heart of the city throbs with life, offering a variety of stylish shops, elegant restaurants, and picturesque cafes. Within the noisy streets and large boulevards, the city is host to a total of 48 different districts.

During the day, the city is an archetype of colonial buildings existing in harmony with their modern counterparts. At night, the air is filled with the sensual rhythm of Tango and the sound of the bars that open their doors to the fashionably elegant crowds.

The city's charms come in all forms. It is easy to let oneself be seduced by the old-fashioned cafes, the quaint bookshops of la Calle Corrientes, or by la Recoleta, the city's most elegant district. Also of interest are the magnificently designed avenues, such as la Avenida de Mayo, la Avenida Diagonal Norte, and the most remarkable of all, la Avenida del 9 de Julio that is 140 meters wide in certain spots.

Whether fighting your way off of a city bus or hanging out in theaters and cafes on a Friday or Saturday night, Buenos Aires never fails to fascinate visitors wherever they go. The "porteños", or Buenos Aires locals, have a well-deserved reputation for being very cultured and are also known to be excellent conversationalists.

One of the best things about this city is that there is always somewhere to go, 24 hours a day, since certain bars and restaurants never close. For this reason, Buenos Aires is often referred to as "the city that never sleeps".

One of the city's most symbolic buildings is the Teatro Colón, one of the best opera houses in the world. Both the magnificent façade and the large interior, whose 2,400 seats are always filled, reflect one of the city's most genuine features: an abundance of intense theatrical and cultural activity.
But, in order to say that you've been to Buenos Aires, you must visit at least four places that are authentically "porteño": the Plaza de Mayo and the la Boca, San Telmo and La Recoleta districts.

The popular Plaza de Mayo was founded in 1560 as a fortress and is now home to the city's most significant buildings: the Casa Rosada (Pink House), which is the presidential headquarters, the National Bank of Argentina, the cathedral, the police station, and the city hall. It is best known as a scene for protests, especially the Mothers of the plaza de Mayo, the most persistent and dramatic of all.

The second visit every tourist should make is to the la Boca district, famous for it's brightly colored houses and, most importantly, Caminito Street, which is decorated with murals and sculptures. Nowadays it is an open-air market where local artists exhibit their work.

In la Boca it is also possible to visit "la bombonera", the famous soccer stadium where the well-know soccer player Diego Maradona made his debut and rise to fame.

Thirdly, a visit to San Telmo, an old port district, is almost obligatory. After a succession of transformations, it has become the largest center of antique shops in Buenos Aires. Every Sunday in the Plaza de Dorrego there are over 140 stalls where collectors display their best pieces. Both the number and the quality of objects on display make this the most important commercial antique center in America. It is also a district that is home to many tango clubs.

Lastly, you must go to la Recoleta, the best residential neighborhood featuring the most luxurious restaurants and the most elegant shops in Buenos Aires. In la Recoleta, life and death come face to face. One on side, you have the cafes; on the other, the cemetery –they say it is one of the most beautiful in the world. In it you can find a number of funerary sculptures done by famous Argentine artists as well as the National Heritage tombs. One of the most frequently visited tombs is that of Eva Perón.

A walk through the spots that best evoke the spirit of the city, those that take you back to Buenos Aires at the turn of the century, will generally end up in one of the tango clubs, called "tanguerías".

In the Tango capital of the world, your feet will invite you to dance... or at least to go to one of the city's many tango shows or clubs. Many of them are concentrated in the San Telmo district, but the whole city is full of bars and clubs, not to mention the excellent Argentine restaurants with their typical grilled veal and wine.

But, do what you will and go where you go, make sure to take your time to sit down and soak up the atmosphere of this unique city, full of tragic and defiant hearts.

Argentina: surprisingly affordable

Until a few years ago, Buenos Aires was one of the world's most expensive cities, but since the Peso crashed in 2002, the city has become a bargain. Students at our Spanish school enjoy some of the world's best restaurants and entertainment at a fraction of the former cost.

Exchange
1 u$s = $ 2,90 Argentine pesos.
1€ = $ 3,85 pesos argentinos.