"La Boca" La Boca Tip by Dabs

La Boca reminded me a lot of Olvera Street in Los Angeles, a place of some historical interest that has been "saved" by the almighty tourist dollar. La Boca was a shipyard, the city's original Little Italy and the tango originated here in the bordelos.

It would be easy to dismiss La Boca as a tourist trap, our guidebook was so uncomplimentary that we almost didn't go, but our Cicerone guide took us there on the public bus so we got to see it without the throng of tourists from one of the city tours.

Caminito is La Boca's most famous street, colorful houses line both sides of the street, the patchwork of colors comes from the days when the immigrants used the leftover paint from the shipping barges. Yes, there are bunches of little shops selling tacky tourist shlock, but mixed in is some pretty interesting art and a vivid history.

Most of the things I've read about La Boca caution you about straying too far from Caminito or visiting La Boca at night so take heed should you head to this area.