Choose from 1,039 Fun Things to Do in Central And South America
Buenos Aires Botanical Garden
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El Sagrario
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El Picacho
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El Nispero Zoo
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El Viejo Almacen
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Buenos Aires Cruise Port
How to Get to Buenos Aires
Your ship will dock at the pier about a half-mile from the center of Buenos Aires. Complimentary shuttle buses may be available to take you into town. Otherwise, taxis are plentiful and many offer set prices to certain neighborhoods. Walking from the port into the center of the city is not recommended.
One Day in Buenos Aires
Start your day in El Centro, the cultural, historical and financial center of Buenos Aires. Ask your taxi to drop you off at the Plaza de Mayo. There, check out the 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral and catch a glimpse of the Casa Rosado, where Eva Peron addressed Argentinian crowds from the balcony. Then, make your way on foot along the pedestrian shopping street, Calle Florida, to the Plaza San Martin. From there, head north to the upscale Recoleta neighborhood, where you can spend the rest of your morning.
The prime attraction in Recoleta is the Recoleta Cemetery, the burial place for the city’s aristocracy since 1822. Covering four square blocks, it is lined with elaborately designed tombs and mausoleums, and is the final resting place for Eva Peron. If you are visiting on a weekend, your next stop should be the nearby Plaza Independiente Alvear, home to a lively crafts and souvenir market. If not, take some time to visit the Museum of Fine Arts, the largest museum in the country, or take in some of the art galleries throughout the neighborhood.
By now, you may be so hungry you could eat a steak - and you should, since Argentina has some of the best! If you won’t have time to enjoy dinner in the city, take a break at lunch to enjoy both a glass of Argentina’s fine wine and a nice steak. Whether you hang around Recoleta or return to Calle Florida, you’ll find plenty of restaurants to choose from.
After lunch, grab a taxi or retrace your steps along Calle Florida to Plaza de Mayo, and then make your way to the working class neighborhood of La Boca. In La Boca, you’ll discover a colorful artists’ quarter where the tango was born. Wander around the cobbled streets before heading to El Caminito, a pedestrian marketplace for craftsmen where you may also catch couples dancing the tango.
Alternatively, you may want to spend your afternoon exploring some of Buenos Aires’ fine museums, including the National Museum of Decorative Arts, the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires and the National History Museum. Opera fans may also want to take a guided tour of the Colon Theater, one of the most lavish opera houses in the world.
Don’t forget to grab a few souvenirs before heading back to your ship – leather goods, wine, gems and handicrafts are all excellent options.
Port Information
The official language is a form of Spanish known as Castellano, but English is generally spoken in hotels and shops. The currency is the Argentinian peso, but you may be able to use US dollars in some instances. ATM's can be found throughout the city and credit cards are widely accepted.
El Querandi
The historic venue has been making its mark in the tango world since it first opened its doors in 1920 and while the nightly dinner shows are now mostly for the benefit of tourists, the passion and artistry of the tango is still very much alive. Tracing the history of the sultry tango from the late 19th century bordellos, through its many generational interpretations and including plenty of gasp-inducing modern twists, the El Querandi tango show is a stylish introduction to the iconic dance. Entering the dimly lit venue is like stepping back in time, with tuxedoed waiters and glittering chandeliers bringing a touch of old world glamor, film reels showcasing clips of the tango greats and dazzling costumes and performances by some of the city’s most talented dancers.
El Yeso Dam (Embalse El Yeso)
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El Tatio Geysers
Rising toward the fading stars high atop the Andes, El Tatio Geysers erupt from more than 80 vents into wraith-like plumes, which dance in the first crisp golden rays of dawn. It's not quite the largest geyser field in the world (it's the third), or the highest (it's close), but combined with those snowcapped volcanoes that encircle its steaming expanse, it is perhaps the most magnificent.
In addition to the searing-hot fumeroles and geysers, the field has a few more inviting geological features. A large 35°C (95°F) hot spring lets you soak away the Andes' stubborn chill, while bubbling mud pots offer the perfect masque for cleansing away weeks of grime from the road. Relax.
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While the closest population center to the El Tatio Geysers is Calama, an ancient town with a small but developing tourist sector, the vast majority of visitors come on day trips from San Pedro de Atacama. By day trips, that means you'll be leaving at 4am for the slow ride up to an icy 4,300 meter (more than 14,000 foot) volcanic plateau.
The early bird gets the National Geographic-quality photos, however, as the steaming flumes cast up from the earth's boiling heart seem larger and more impressive in the frigid Andean sunrise. Dress appropriately. Also keep in mind that an absence of railings and warnings does not mean the geysers are safe; tourists fall through the fragile crust and burn themselves every year.
El Rodadero Aquarium
The aquarium’s 13 pools have a direct connection to the Caribbean Sea and the 15 glass aquariums house over 800 sea animals, the majority native to the area. Visitors can see sharks, sea turtles, shrimp, sea horses, triggerfish, snappers, cojinoas, groupers, tarpon, turtles, lobsters, manta rays, anemones and more.
There are three dolphin and sea lions shows a day. Visitors can also swim with or get their photo taken with dolphins. The Aquarium also has a museum with a permanent collection that exhibits shark jaws, shell collections and nautical equipment, as well as an exhibition that focuses on the pre-Columbian culture of the indigenous Tayrona and their connection to the sea.
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El Rosario Church (Iglesia El Rosario)
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El Mozote Monument
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El Panecillo
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The stairway to El Panecillo is a popular spot with muggers. Arrange for a cab to take you and wait while you visit the lookout.
El Misti
There are two main routes, including the Pastores route and the Aguada Blanca route. Pastores is the more popular choice, as it’s closer to Arequipa. It starts at 10,800 feet, with an overnight stop usually being made at Nido de Aguilas around 14,800 feet. The Aguada Blanca route begins at Monte Blanco camp at 15,700 feet. At the top, you’ll find a large iron cross standing 33 feet tall, which was erected in 1901. While neither climb is particularly technical, both require peak fitness due to the steep sand slopes. These excursions are best done between July and November when the climate is most favorable for climbing.
El Zapote Barracks Military Museum
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El Prado
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Chan Chan
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Buenos Aires Chinatown (Barrio Chino)
- Leave yourself plenty of time to browse the shops and supermarkets, where you’ll find foods and other items that can’t be found anywhere else in Buenos Aires.
- Most shops in Chinatown are open from 9am to 9pm.
- Many of the area’s restaurants are closed on Mondays.
El Morado Natural Monument
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El Monumental Stadium
The Basics
Few activities whip Argentines into a frenzy like a football (soccer) match, and watching local team River Plate—one of the country’s top teams—playing at their home stadium is an experience like no other. Football fans can also explore behind the scenes on a guided stadium tour, including the press conference room, training field, and trophy hall, or even combine it with a guided stadium tour of La Bombonera.
The stadium is also home to the River Plate Museum, a huge sporting museum with a 360-degree movie theater, multimedia exhibitions, and displays of trophies, original uniforms, and club memorabilia.
Things to Know Before You Go
- There is a café and gift shop on-site, and game-day visitors have many more food options.
- Stadium tours typically include entrance to the museum.
- The stadium and museum are wheelchair accessible.
How to Get to There
El Monumental Stadium is located in the Belgrano district of Buenos Aires. The closest metro station is Congreso de Tucumán (Line D), about 20 minutes’ walk away. Several buses (colectivos) pass the stadium, including No. 29, which runs from Plaza de Mayo and No. 15 from Avenida Santa Fé in Palermo. An easier option is to take a taxi or opt for a tour with hotel pickup and drop-off.
When to Get There
The main football seasons in Buenos Aires run from August to December, and February to July. Most matches are held on weekends, or occasionally on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings. Unless you’re attending a game, it’s best to avoid visiting on match days when the stadium will be overrun with crowds.
Memorable Events at El Monumental Stadium
Built in 1937, El Monumental Stadium boasts an illustrious history, hosting many of the nation’s most prominent sporting events, including the 1978 World Cup finals and the First Pan American Games in 1951. The 75,000-capacity stadium is also used as a concert venue for international artists. Performers who have taken the stage here include Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, the Rolling Stones, U2, and Madonna.
Address: Av Pres Figueroa Alcorta 7597, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Admission: Varies