La Boca


This colorful neighborhood is the birthplace of the tango. It was so named “the mouth” because it’s located at the mouth of a river. Its original settlers were shipyard workers hailing from Italy. They built their houses with ship materials–planks, metal, and iron–and painted them with leftover paint. La Boca retains its unique, cast-off atmosphere, but the only place a visitor would want to go is toward the center, either on the artists’ street of El Caminito or La Bombonera soccer stadium. The rest of the town has became more dangerous and faded since its construction, all of its energy and hopes fleeing to the bright, lively El Caminito. There, music pulses, dancers tango, and peddlers sell their wares before rows of colorful shanty houses. The arts fair is open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. The street owes its popularity to artist Benito Quinquela Martín who, in 1960, painted a mural on one of the walls, drawing in performing artists, and in turn drawing in tourists. As you walk along the street, look up at the balconies for statues of famous Argentinians such as former president Juan Perón, First Lady Eva Perón, and soccer legend Diego Maradona. But you can also get off the street and into one of the neighborhood’s museums or restaurants, like the popular El Obrero, or watch a professional tango performance in El Teatro De La Ribera.

La Boca


Hours of Operation:

Many artists perform from dawn till dusk, but it’s recommended to stay off the streets at night and to take a taxi to and from the center of town, as the neighborhood becomes a place for petty crimes after dark.

 

La Boca


 

La Boca


Visit a Museum

La Boca has a couple museums worth checking out. The Fundación Proa is a modern art museum featuring cutting-edge exhibits by international artists. It also has a gourmet rooftop café with views of the river. It’s open Tuesday – Sunday, from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm. The Benito Quinquela Martin Museum was once the artist’s home and now exhibits his work along with other contemporary Argentine artists. It’s open Tuesday – Sunday, from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.

Watch a match at La Bombonera

Watch a match at La Bombonera
If you happen to notice a lot of yellow and blue on the streets of La Boca, you’ve probably arrived during a soccer match at La Bombonera Stadium. The stadium is home to the world-renowned Boca Juniors. The neighborhood will become especially fervent during a “superclasico” match against the Boca’s rival River Plate.

 

La Boca


What’s nearby? 

Restaurants:
El Obrero is an authentic Argentine restaurant, featuring sports memorabilia along its walls and serving simple but tasty food. It’s open Monday – Saturday and located at Agustín R. Caffarena 64, C1157ADB CABA.

 

La Boca


Interested in touring Buenos Aires and visiting La Boca? We offer four different tours that explore this region.

Clink on the links below and explore the incredible country of Argentina.

Explore South America – 30 Days      Best of South America – 21 Days      Best of South America – 23 Days      Best of South America: Peru, Argentina, Chile, & Ecuador – 25 Days    

 

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La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina

La Boca

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