Buenos Aires City Information

Buenos Aires is one of the largest cities in the world; a megalopolis with over thirteen million inhabitants in both the city and its surroundings. It is also the most elegant and the busiest city in South America which represents the Argentine essence.
More European than South American in flavor, Buenos Aires'heart boasts bustling streets, grand avenues, old-time cafes and stylish restaurants. It's a city of tragedy and elation; a vibrant, cosmopolitan capital where locals are renowned for their flair and cockiness, even in times of adversity.
For the traveler, Buenos Aires delivers. Wander the cobbled streets, marveling at faded architectural glories and colorfully painted metal houses; talk world politics and fútbol (soccer) in an atmospheric old cafe; then tuck into a famously delicious Argentine steak to power a long night's partying.

Getting There

A major arrival and departure point for the southern part of South America, Buenos Aires enjoys good air, sea and land access. The city has two airports: Aeropuerto Internacional Ministro Pistarni (known as Ezeiza), which services international flights, and Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (known as Aeroparque), from which domestic and regional flights leave and arrive.

Local buses serve both airports. Ezeiza is 35km (22mi) and 1.5 hours south of downtown (in heavy traffic). Aeroparque is only 8km (5mi) north of downtown. Deluxe buses make the journey to both airports for considerably more than the cost of local buses, but are still good value and often include hotel drop-offs.

Orientation

Although Greater Buenos Aires has swollen to 13 million people, most tourists stick to the Capital Federal, which is home to three million porteños (locals) and is divided into 48 barrios (neighborhoods). Once you get your head around the barrios and sub-neighborhoods that complicate the city's layout, Buenos Aires becomes easier to navigate. The Microcentro, or downtown area, includes shopping and entertainment precincts along Avenidas Corrientes, Córdoba and Santa Fe, and the pedestrian-only streets of Florida and Lavalle. The Avenida 9 de Julio is an unmistakable point of reference; its 16 lanes of traffic run from San Telmo in the south to Retiro up north, with a sky-piercing white obelisk at its center. The dockside barrio of Puerto Madero runs north-south along Río de la Plata and is pedestrian friendly.

At the eastern end of Avenida de Mayo, one of the Microcentro's main east-west boulevards, is Plaza de Mayo. It attracts a bountiful blend of tourists, students and political activists, and is surrounded by many important buildings including the famous Presidential Palace (Casa Rosada) and the main cathedral. South of the Microcentro you'll find the faded architecture and cobbled streets of colonial San Telmo, home of Buenos Aires' sultry tango, and La Boca, the tough port barrio and colorful working class heart of Buenos Aires. Uptown is the ritzy enclave of Recoleta, while tree-lined Palermo has parks aplenty and Buenos Aires' hottest bars and ethnic eats..

Getting Around

With an efficient underground (the Subte), a labyrinthine 24-hour bus system and a plethora of affordable taxis, Buenos Aires is cheap and easy to get around. Relying on public transport, however, does require a bit of initial study. The capital is very walkable and most tourist magnets are within walking distance from one another. But if you need to get across town fast, the Subte or a cab is your best bet. Buses also ply the streets of Buenos Aires, but the system is huge and complex, so it's not great for short- stayers.