City Guide to Buenos Aires, Argentina

This is the first in a series of Wanderlust Women City Guides.  We hope they offer you useful tidbits of information as you plan your solo journey to some of the most interesting places around the world.

Today’s guest writer is Andi Perullo, of “My Beautiful Adventures,” who fell in love with a place, a man and a way of life in Argentina.

I took a solo journey to Buenos Aires on a whim and it began a lifelong love affair  with this enchanting city.  Buenos Aires has enveloped me, held me, and let me move through her barrios as one of her own.  This is the city I will remember and return to over and over again.  This is the city I will see through my window when the smell of Malbec or dulce de leche brings me back to her streets.

1.  Top 3 Attractions

1.  La Recoleta Cemetery: This cemetery is famous because Eva Peron and other important Argentines are buried here, however it is a feast for the eyes due to the incredible architecture and elaborate tombs found throughout.  You can easily spend a day getting lost inside it.

The colorful presidential palace in Buenos Aires / Photo: Andrea Perullo

2.  La Casa Rosada: You know a city must be special if its offices of the President are pink!

The city's colorful barrio of La Boca / Photo: Andrea Perullo

3.  La Boca: This barrio has a notorious reputation for crime, but it should not be missed.  If you solo travel there during the day, you will be safe, as there will be lots of tourists to keep you company.  It is lined with colorful houses and people dancing tango in the streets.

2.  Good Restaurants

1.  Sushi Club: Offers the best sushi in the city, with a view of the famous “tango bridge” located in the upscale barrio of Puerto Madero .

2.  Te Matare Ramirez: A restaurant dedicated to passion!  Every item on the menu is considered to be an aphrodisiac.

3.  Crizia: Posh décor, divine food, and there are not too many places in this world where you can feed 4 people each 3 gourmet courses with a bottle of wine and cocktails for less than $100 total.

3.  Hotel – great places to stay!

You can always find a great hotel in Buenos Aires here; however, I suggest skipping the hotels and renting an apartment.  Luxury apartments can be found in abundance in Buenos Aires and can be rented for 1 day to 3 months depending on your schedule and are super affordable due to the favorable exchange rate.  If you would prefer a hotel, my favorite is a boutique hotel found in the bohemian barrio of Palermo Soho.  It is the Mine Hotel , so called because the owners wanted their guests to feel like it was theirs.

4.  Nightlife

Buenos Aires is a city full of passion.........and tango! / photo: Andrea Perullo

Buenos Aires is truly a city that never sleeps.  Do not expect to start dinner before 10PM and most clubs do not even open their doors until 12 or 1AM.  The 2 hottest clubs at the moment are Asia de Cuba and Pacha.  There is also a great pub, The Kilkenny, that locals love and where you can usually find live music.

5.  Shopping

Argentina is known for its quality and inexpensive leather products, whether it be a coat, purse, or shoes.  Personally, I find the boots to be the best in the world and I always buy a pair from Mishka, my favorite boutique in the city.  The best place to shop is Florida Street, which is about a mile long street with shops on both sides.

6.  Safety

Like any big city, there is crime in Buenos Aires.  Thankfully, I have been there seven times and have never once encountered any crime.  Just make sure to think and act smart and you will be fine.

7.  Best Tourist Tip

Most people do not realize that Uruguay is just a quick boat ride away!  You can see another country and be back in time for dinner.  The boat you take to Uruguay is called the Buque Bus.  It is very upscale, though completely affordable, and is an adventure in itself.

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Andrea Perullo is a Chinese Medicine Doctor by day, travel addict by night. When she is not treating patients, she is exploring the world or dreaming of the next place to visit. She also writes travel features for MNUI Travel Insurance and blogs at My Beautiful Adventures.