Carlos Thays Park

Carlos Thays Park, in the heart of Recoleta and very close to many other activities, which we tell you in this other note to enjoy Buenos Aires outdoors!

This large park has 4500m2 (more than 4 hectares), and bears this name in honor of the well-known Landscape Architect Carlos Thays.

parque carlos thaysA characteristic that distinguishes it and differentiates it from the other parks is that it is one of the few that has a great variety of sculptures. Here, you will find outstanding works by great and well-known artists such as Marta Minujín (“United Nations“); the plastic artist Fernando Botero (“Male Torso“); the Italian sculptor Alejo Afani (“Pro National Culture“); among many others.

Entrance is free and open!

Located on Av. Figueroa Alcorta and Av. Callao, it is very close to some bars to enjoy a picnic in the open air and, later, to be able to go for a drink in the same area. Also, it is a few steps from the Law School, the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Floralis Genérica and the Recoleta Cemetery.

It is truly a beautiful green space to enjoy a bit of the outdoors, close to many other attractions so you can plan a whole day in Recoleta. For more information, read this other note about this magnificent and picturesque neighborhood of Buenos Aires.

carlos thays parkWhat we do ask you is that, if you consume something in the park, then take your garbage to the nearest bin, to preserve the place. Preserving green spaces is everyone’s job!

 

BONUS TRACK:

-Don’t let his name confuse you! There are other spaces that bear the name of this renowned landscaper, such as the Botanical Garden.

-Here we leave you the map so you can see where it is and everything that you have nearby!

Buenos Aires Outdoors Activities

The city of Buenos Aires has many attractions, activities and must-see places. On this occasion, we want to bring you several plans to enjoy a day outdoors in this wonderful city!

We prepare a list of several parks and squares for you to enjoy, depending on the area you are going to visit. We already brought you the option of the Tigre in this other note, but, now, we want to focus more on the capital of this great city…

Get ready to have an updated list of beautiful green spaces to live Buenos Aires outdoors!

Palermo Woods (Bosques de Palermo)

buenos aires outdoorsAn immense place, surrounded by trees, paths to carry out different physical activities, or simply go around the lake and enjoy a little peace.

In the heart of one of the largest neighborhoods that Buenos Aires has, you are going to love visiting this space of giant vegetation!

Within the Bosques de Palermo you will find the Paseo del Rosedal (here you can see our note about the Rosedal), and the well-known Planetarium!

But these are not its only attractions, you can do the type of physical activity you want, or if you prefer, enjoy a delicious craft beer in the open air. Sure, it is an area surrounded by bars!

Entrance is free and open. It has several streets to enter, but the most common are Av. Sarmiento and Av. Libertador.

The reality is that you have many meters to walk and go!

Close to the Bosques de Palermo, just a couple of blocks away, you will find the Ecopark. Here we leave you a note about this space!

Japanese Garden

buenos aires outdoorsIn the heart of Palermo, and very close to the Palermo Woods, you will find this typical Japanese-style Garden. Without a doubt, you are going to fall in love with this place, so we recommend you go with time and early, to be able to spend several hours inside.

Although the space is not as big as the rest of the spaces that we comment you in this note, this one in particular will make you want to go through it more than once and enjoy each step.

Not only are its trees charming, but all the typical structure of Japan will amaze you. Another note of color is that in the lagoon you will find the typical Koi fish.

Inside the park you will find many attractions, for which we leave you this note with all the details of this fantastic place!

Here we leave you their website so that you can purchase the tickets and have the information about the protocols to follow.

Botanical Garden

buenos aires outdoorsIf you like plants, trees and vegetables, this place is ideal for you! It has more than 7 hectares and is the cradle of 6,000 plant species. The good news is that, as you walk through the Garden, each species has its name so you can learn them!

Located on Av. Santa Fe y República Árabe Syria, it is an immense space of pure air, ideal for a day of walking, relaxation and learning.

It has many attractions, which we detail in this note here!

Entrance is free and open.

On Mondays it is closed for cleaning and specific care. Then, in the summer season (September 22 to April 21) it opens Tuesday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 9:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. While in winter season (April 22 to September 21) Tuesday to Friday open from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Here we leave you their website so you can have all the updated information!

Floralis Generic

buenos aires outdoors

Metal sculpture 23 meters high, weighing 18 tons. It was a gift to the city of Buenos Aires from the Argentine architect Eduardo Catalano.

Located in Av. Figueroa Alcorta, it was inaugurated in April 2002.

It is a giant flower made of stainless steel, aluminum and reinforced concrete. Look towards the sky, and through an electrical system, it opens and closes its six petals depending on the time of day.

It opens every morning at 8am and closes at sunset, at a different time depending on the season of the year, due to the availability of sunlight.

The description of its name is: Floralis, which belongs to the flora (flowers), and Generic for the word “gender“, that is, it represents all the flowers that exist. For this reason, its system emulates the behavior of a natural flower.

Here we leave you a note with all the information about this beautiful and huge sculpture!

San Martín Square

buenos aires outdoorsIn the heart of Microcentro (Retiro), you will find this imposing Plaza. Very close to the Retiro station, renowned for many historical events that occurred there.

It has a playground for the little ones; and many meters for the delight of being able to read a book under a tree, enjoy an ice cream on one of its beautiful benches, or simply go for a walk along all the paths it has.

It’s really huge and full of beautiful trees, so its variety of birds is high as well.

It’s a great way to cut off and isolate yourself a bit from the noise of cars on Av. San Martín.

In front, you will find several cafes, ice cream parlors and kiosks, in case you need food to throw a blanket on the grass and just enjoy the day.

If you go by subway, line C has the “San Martín” station that leaves you right at the direct exit to the Plaza. If you use line E, you should get off at “Retiro” Station. Also, there are many bus lines that reach here.

It has free and open entry. Here you can know more!

Ecological Reserve

buenos aires outdoorsIt is one of the largest urban reserves in Latin America.

Located in the neighborhood of Puerto Madero, it is in what is known as Costanera Sur.

It has 350 hectares, with more than 2,000 species of animals that vary in birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and a variety of native vegetation.

The entrance can be from Viamonte street, or, also, from Brazil.

Ideal if you want to walk a bit in the middle of pure nature! It is a space that cuts with the bustle of the city and manages to isolate you, to immerse yourself in a large forest with many trails with viewpoints to the Río de la Plata.

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. It does not open on rainy days.

Here we leave you a note about this beautiful green space!

Lezama Park

buenos aires outdoorsLocated in the neighborhood of San Telmo (almost La Boca), this immense park is one of the most named.

It has several sculptures and many meters to place you wherever you like. Also, you will find an amphitheater, a fountain and, depending on the day you go, a great fair.

Around it, you will find several bars, many of which have the Take Away option so you can improvise a picnic outdoors!

Entrance is free and open. You can enter by Av. Brasil or by Defense. And then, you can walk through the Defense fair and visit all the Antiques stores that this picturesque neighborhood has, as well as getting to know the notable bars.

In this other note, you will find all the details of this great green space!

Here we leave you a note of the best still lifes in Buenos Aires for you to guide!

BONUS TRACK:

In addition, we leave you a list of some parks that you can enjoy in different neighborhoods:

-Almagro: Centennial Park (Parque Centenario)

-Caballito: Rivadavia Park

-Recoleta: Carlos Thays Park

France Square

-Saavedra: Sarmiento Park

Map of Attractions

Devaluation of the Argentine Peso

A More Budget-Friendly Destination for Tourists

One of the main benefits of peso depreciation is the affordability it offers to tourists with stronger currencies like the US dollar or euro. This makes Argentina a highly desirable destination, allowing visitors to enjoy premium travel experiences at significantly lower costs compared to other global locations.

devaluacion del dolar

Increasing Foreign Tourism

Recent currency fluctuations have contributed to a surge in international tourist arrivals. Popular destinations such as Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Bariloche, and Iguazu Falls have seen a notable rise in visitors, benefiting industries like hospitality, dining, and transportation.

Advantages for the Local Tourism Industry

Businesses in tourism, including tour operators, hotels, and restaurants, take advantage of currency devaluation by offering more competitive travel packages. This not only increases foreign currency inflows but also supports job creation and economic growth in tourist regions.

Effects on Domestic Tourism

While inbound tourism flourishes, domestic tourism can face challenges. Rising costs of flights and services may become prohibitive for local travelers, reducing demand. However, many Argentinians opt for domestic travel instead of international trips due to the high exchange rate of the dollar.

The depreciation of the Argentine peso creates a complex economic landscape with mixed effects. From a tourism standpoint, it enhances the country’s appeal to international travelers, boosting the local economy and positioning Argentina as a competitive global destination. Despite challenges for domestic tourism, increased foreign visitors present an opportunity to stimulate the sector and support regional economic development.

What to do in Tigre

Tigre is one of the most popular destinations for porteños to spend a day outdoors. Whether in summer or winter, contact with nature gives us multiple landscapes. One of the great advantages of Tigre is that it is very close to the city of Buenos Aires.

Next, we will share what to do in Tigre, a review of the best activities.

How to travel to Tigre

First of all, we must know how to get to Tigre. For this, we invite you to read this complete note that details the different ways to travel to Tigre with public transport (train, bus) and even bicycle.

Once they arrive, they can enjoy the following activities:

Tour the Paraná River Delta

what to do in tigreWithout a doubt, the main attraction in Tigre is the Delta. The Delta forms at the mouth of one or more rivers. The rivers have been dragging sediments throughout their journey and when they reach ocean level, they lose their capacity to transport them. For this reason, these sediments are deposited in the river beds. This is how islands and small rivers in the shape of labyrinths are formed.

From the port of Tigre, a few blocks from the transport stations, there are multiple river services that run through the Delta. You can choose a small or large boat. No need to make reservations. The ticket is bought at the river station.

It is also possible to take a boat to a spa and spend the day there. There are many bars and restaurants offering the different meals of the day. You can search Google Maps and find one of your liking.

Another option, if you have more time, is to spend the night in the Delta. It is a very nice experience to spend a few days in contact with nature. In airbnb you can find many cabins that are rented for the night.

what to do in TigreFor those who want to do a bit of sport, a very good option is to go on a Kayak tour. There are many companies that offer the service, either for rent or for a ride. Keep in mind that, to rent, you need experience because it is a very busy area.

Walk along Paseo Victorica

what to do in tigreA few blocks from the transport station, the Paseo Victorica begins, a beautiful route on the banks of the Luján River. They are a little more than 10 blocks to enjoy the view of the river. There you can sit in one of the restaurants to eat or drink something or just enjoy the view sitting on a public bench.

On the way, you will also see two museums: the Naval Museum and the Tigre Art Museum.

Visit the Puerto de Frutos

what to do in tigreThe Puerto de Frutos is a market that has changed over the years. It carries that name because in the beginning, exclusively Fruits and Vegetables that came from the Paraná River were sold by boat.

Today, although it is still possible to buy some fruit or vegetables, it has become a very varied market. There are handicrafts, many wooden products and even places to eat.

After visiting the Delta, you can take a few minutes, take a tour of the market and take a souvenir.

Here we leave you more information!

Coast Park (Parque de la Costa)

what to do in tigreIf the adrenaline of the boats or kayaks was not enough, you can try spending a few hours in the Parque de la Costa Amusement Park.

It is advisable not to go in high season as there are many lines for the different attractions.

If you want to take a tour or some activity in this beautiful place, we leave you the contact of our friends who can help you:

SOLEDAD: +54 9 11 5102-1023

MARINA: +54 9 11 5639-6013

Map of Atractions

Booking hotel in Buenos Aires

Booking hotel in Buenos Aires, looking for a place to stay in a city as big as this, that is good, beautiful, safe and cheap, can be a bit complicated.

Security can give you some resentment, especially if this is your first time in South America.

But relax, Buenos Aires is a safe city.

Although some say that there is no 100% safe city, trust your common sense, and you are going to have the best experience of your life.

Now to what concerns us, here are the three best neighborhoods to book hotel in Buenos Aires.

Continue reading

Curiosities about Plaza de Mayo

Curiosities about Plaza de Mayo, its history, secrets and much more!

It’s the oldest plaza in the city. But it hasn’t always been this big, nor had that name.

In 1580, the founder of the city, Juan de Garay, created a plaza called Plaza Mayor in the part of town that today is limited by Rivadavia Ave., Hipólito Yrigoyen St., Defensa St, y Bolívar St. Towards the west, in what today is Rivadavia Ave., Yrigoyen St., Defensa St. and Balcarce Stt, there was a plot of barren land that in time would be known as Plaza de Armas.

Both plazas were unified in 1884, creating the 2-hectare plaza we know today. Its name honours the Argentinean Revolution for Independence of 1810.

La Recova of Buenos Aires

curiosities about plaza de mayo

Between the first two squares, during the years 1804 and 1884, there was a building called La Recova. This construction consisted of two bodies of 11 arches each, joined in the middle by a large central arch that connected the two squares. This was the first shopping in the city. Here, you could buy all kinds of products, from shoes and clothes to meat and vegetables.

La Recova was demolished in 1884 to create the Plaza de Mayo.

 

The Pirámide de Mayo

Built in 1811, it is the first patriotic monument of the city. It celebrates the first anniversary of the May Revolution. But the monument we see today is not the original. The original monument is hidden inside the structure we see today. By 1856, the pyramid was very neglected, so the artist Prilidiano Pueyrredon restored it. He built a new pyramid around it and added a small Statue of Liberty that wears Phrygian cap in representation of the Argentinean Republic.

piramide de mayo

 

The Hollow of the Souls

It was believed that in today’s corner of Reconquista St and Rivadavia Ave. there used to be a place where the devil and the witches gathered to perform rituals. It was an area with unfinished buildings where the homeless laid to sleep. As the first Colon Theatre as built, the hollow disappeared.

Public executions

The western part of the plaza was the place for public executions. Thieves were hanged or shot in front of the people. Their bodies were left hanging for a couple of hours.

Bullfights

In 1609 the first bullfight was organized on what used to be Plaza Mayor. It took two centuries to finally forbid them. Until then, the balconies of the buildings around the plaza were rented as theatre boxes, while the authorities and the most important people watched the bullfight from the balcony of the Cabildo (the house of government). These bullfights were followed by different performances with actors, dwarfs and masks.

The Fort

curiosities about plaza de mayoIn the area where today we find the Pink House, there used to be a stone fortification built in 1598 to keep European pirates away. Although the fort was demolished in 1882, you can see find some of its walls in the Pink House Museum.

 

Plaza de Mayo is one of the highlights of our Free Walking Tour City Center!

 

Map of Location

Caminito Buenos Aires

Caminito is the most famous pedestrian street in Buenos Aires. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city due to its colorful houses and its deep historical and cultural significance.

It is located in the popular neighborhood of La Boca, on the Riachuelo River coast and only 400 meters from La Bombonera, the Boca Juniors stadium.

It is a pedestrian promenade in the form of a curve of 150 meters where important artistic works can be appreciated.

Caminito went through many stages to become the picturesque attraction that it is today.

At the beginning a stream used to flow. For this reason the street has a winding path. Then, it was crossed by the tracks of a railway that fell into disuse years later turning the place into a garbage dump known by the neighbors as “The Curve”.

Finally in 1950, thanks to the initiative of the neighbors, the place was recovered and became a pedestrian walkway and an open-air museum.

Benito Quinquela Martín, famous painter and principal benefactor of the neighborhood, painted the wooden and zinc houses in different colors. Artistic works of great importance are also exhibited as “Herrero Boquense”, “Esperando la barca” and “La Familia”, among others. All works were donated by renowned artists in order to beautify and brighten up this walk.

Caminito and the neighborhood La Boca in general used to be a center of residence for Genoese immigrants. All the wooden and zinc houses used to be traditional “conventillos”, precarious popular houses characteristic of the neighborhood since the late 19th century.

From there, thanks to the fusion of different cultures, one of the most important musical styles of the country emerged: Tango.

caminito la bocaCaminito is a pleasant place to learn the Tango origins and admire the different artistic works that are exhibited.

In addition, it is possible to admire hundreds of murals with deep social meanings that stand out in the walls of the neighborhood.

In the following post you will find more information about what to do in Caminito La Boca.

To learn more about Caminito we invite you to our La Boca Walking Tour, a walk through the history of this important place in Buenos Aires. . The tour is one of the most prominent in the neighborhood.

We leave you here the map so you can see how to get to Caminito

Tips to Travel to Buenos Aires

Tips to Travel to Buenos Aires, this is a complete guide to take into account during your stay in this great city!

Here we detail all the important information:

  1. BRING CASH

In Argentina, cash is king. Despite the fact that nowadays small businesses, taxis, and some vendors are offering electronic or card payment methods, it’s highly advisable to always have cash on hand because you may find that cash is the only payment method accepted in some places. Sometimes it also helps to get discounts, as merchants prefer cash. This tends to happen in smaller shops.

Continue reading

What is a Free Tour

The Walking Tour offered in Buenos Aires was originated in Europe precisely in Berlin, Germany. It started when a tourist tired of high prices in tours, decided to provide quality tours for everyone, letting them decide the price. The modality proposes a tour under the concept of paying what one is willing to do, that is to say, tip-based.

free tourThe tip that the tourist leaves is influenced by several factors, not only varies according to the quality of the tour received, which implies a good guide, but also fits to everyone’s pocket. In this Tours participate people from high class to backpackers, who seek to enjoy the city spending the minimum necessary.

This type of tours, quickly expanded throughout the world to land in Buenos Aires in 2013.

 

Buenos Aires Free Walking Toursfree tour

The Walking Tours in Buenos Aires are provided by the company Buenos Aires Free Walks, the most popular in Latin America. We invite you to enjoy it, regardless of your budget. The company provides 2 tours per day, every day of the year except for Christmas and New Year, even if it rains! Check the walking tours!

 

Global Free Walking Tours Networkfree tour

Global Free Tours is a website that is developing a Free Tours network in all cities of the world. It includes the best Tours of each city, developed by local entrepreneurs and not multinationals.