Buenos Aires Things to Do Tips by Marcos_Ar

The Avenida 9 de Julio (9th of July Avenue) is almost the center of Buenos Aires.

It is the widest avenue in the world. The center is called Avenida 9 de Julio and on the sides it changes its name to Cerrito (right side of the avenue) and Carlos Pellegrini (left side).

In the center, where Corrientes Avenue crosses, there is the Obelisco. The Obelisco is one of Buenos Aires' landmarks. It was build to remember where was the national flag hoisted for the first time. The cotes of arms arround it represent the 23 argentinian provinces and the city of Buenos Aires.

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Address: Avenida 9 de Julio
Directions: City center.
Subte (metro): Carlos Pellegrini or 9 de Julio stations.

The new Teatro Colón (Colón Theater) was built on 19th century to replace the old one, which was destroyed on a fire. The old Teatro Colón is now the Banco de la Nación building, in the Plaza de Mayo.

The theater was completely made with material imported from France, Belgium and Italy. A must is the Salón Dorado (Golden Room), where some concerts take place. It is very nice.

I don't really know if you can go by yourself, but I am sure there are some guided tours. Ask at your hotel's front desk or visit the theater's website.

Main entrance is on Libertad 621, but there is another one on Toscanini 1168. Libertad entrance is only open when there are spectacles inside.

Some people that cannot go to the opera or concerts that night sell their tickets. I recommend you to go if you have the chance, as it is very nice and spectacles are very good. Dress code: Very very formal.

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Phone: 4378-7133
Address: Libertad 621 y Toscanini 1168
Directions: In front of Lavalle park and Tribunales, the Justice palace.
Subte (metro): Tribunales
Website: http://www.teatrocolon.org.ar

If you like books, this is your place. El Ateneo is one of the most important bookstores in Buenos Aires.

A few years ago, El Ateneo-Yenny (our Barnes & Nobles) bought the old Grand Splendid cinema, which was destroyed. They rebuild it and became an enourmous bookstore. You can find books of authors from Jorge Lanata and Joaquín Morales Solá (Argentinian politics) to Agata Christie. There are books in Spanish, English, French and you may find some in Italian and Portuguese.
On this 3-flours bookstore, you'll certainly find what you like.

There is a very nice coffeeshop inside. Lots of authors go and sign their books to the public everyday. I went lots of times and saw lots of them, like Ernesto Sábato or Joaquín Lavado, more known as Quino.

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Address: Av. Santa Fe between Av. Callao and Riobamba

The Plaza de Mayo (May Square) is Buenos Aires' main square. The Casa Rosada (Pink house), which is the Government house and other public buildings are there.

Right now there are lots of public demonstrations over there, so check out the newspaper (may I recommend La Nación or Clarín), the TV news or your hotel's front desk before getting there.

On the center of the square, you have the Pirámide de Mayo (Mayo Pyramid), which represents the Republic celebrating the first national government, on May 25th 1810. The handkerchiefs arround are the logo of Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo. Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo (Grandmothers of Mayo Square) is an organization dedicated to find the sons of the "desaparecidos", the killed persons during the Military Dictature between 1976 and 1983. Abuelas' members are mothers of women who disappeared beeing pregned. Once they had their children, those were given to families of militaires. A dark side of our history which must be remembered.

Also looking, you will see the old Teatro Colón, which is now the Banco de la Nación Argentina (Argentine Nation's Bank) building. I think there are guided tours.

On the other side, you will find the Ministery of Economics and Siemens Argentina headquarters, which are beeing moved to San Martín, in the province.

In the Plaza de Mayo starts the Avenida de Mayo (May Avenue), which goes strait on to the National Congress. It was built on 1910, celebrating 100 years of independence.

In Avenida de Mayo 825 there is Café Tortoni. Café Tortoni is the place for intelectuals and politicians of Buenos Aires. It is also a Tango Mecca, where very important Tango singers, like Carlos Gardel, went. Café Tortoni is Buenos Aires' oldest café, founded in 1858. If you are a fluent Spanish-speaker and a bit intelectual, I recommend you going to the Tortoni from 12 am to 2 am. Alejandro Dolina broadcasts his intelectual radio program "La venganza será terrible" (The revenge will be terrible) live from there. If not, listen to it on AM 590 Radio Continental.

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Address: Avenida de Mayo
Directions: Subte (metro): Plaza de Mayo

Argentina means football. Fútbol (in Spanish) is the most popular sport here. Wherever you are in La Quiaca (border with Bolivia) or Ushuaia (the southernmost city in the world), there will be always someone playing soccer.

Argentina hosted a world cup in 1978 and won it. We also won Mexico 1986 world cup, with the best player ever: Diego Armando Maradona.

A very Argentinian tradition is to go to watch a game. Even though now some matches are very violent, I would say that going to a River vs. Atlético Rafaela match or a Boca vs. Talleres one wouldn't be so bad. Try to avoid the most violent ones, like Independiente vs. Racing and of course, the "superclásico" (super classic), River vs. Boca. River and Boca are rivals since British took with them football to the shores of the Río de la Plata. Boca Juniors was the Italian-immigrants team and River Plata (which means Río de la Plata in English), the English-immigrants one.

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La Boca is Buenos Aires touristic neighbourhood. It is one of the poorest ones of the city, though. The street of Caminito is very touristic and is constantly watched by the police. But don't get away of it, as there have been cases of robbed tourists. If you want to visit La Boca anyway, try to do it with a person who knows very well the area. Avoid La Boca during the night.

La Boca is BA's Tango zone. Here Tango was born and grew up. It was created by Italian immigrants during the 19th century. First, it was danced only by men, and then woman was incorporated. It is very sensual. There are lots of "Tangotecas" (places to dance Tango) in Buenos Aires. In La Boca and San Telmo they are more for tourists, but in other neighourhoods like San Cristóbal they are full with locals. Tango was danced during decades only by mature people, but now thirty-year-old couples started to like it.

Boca Juniors stadium is there. Two Sundays a month there are matches.

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Address: Ask a cab driver, he'll know the way
Directions: It's a pintoresque neighborhood in Buenos Aires.