Why Tourists Should Visit the La Boca Area of Buenos Aires

La Boca is one of the more famous barrios (neighborhoods) in Buenos Aires. The barrio of La Boca is a melting pot of cultures, with many of its residents coming from Italy, Spain, and other European countries. While walking down the streets of La Boca, tourists quickly spot the colorful houses and buildings that are painted in every shade imaginable. When visiting Buenos Aires, be sure to spend at least a few hours walking around the streets of La Boca, as the La Boca area of Buenos Aires is definitely worth visiting.

The Colorful Buildings of La Boca
The Colorful Cobblestone Sidewalks of the El Caminito Area of La Boca
The Colorful Cobblestone Sidewalks of the El Caminito Area of La Boca

La Boca has an extreme passion for the tango, and visitors will see numerous tango demonstrations while walking the streets of this colorful neighborhood. Be sure to visit El Caminito, which is the main tourist area in La Boca. This pedestrian walkway is lined with tango dancers, street performers, and hundreds of vendors selling colorful arts and crafts.

La Boca is the Birthplace of The Tango
La Boca is the Birthplace of The Tango
A Colorful Restaurant in the La Boca Area of Buenos Aires
A Colorful Restaurant in the La Boca Area of Buenos Aires

Is the La Boca Area of Buenos Aires Worth Visiting? - Table of Contents

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Is the La Boca Area of Buenos Aires Safe?

One of my first questions about La Boca was, “Is the La Boca area of Buenos Aires safe?” I received varying information, with some people telling me that the La Boca was perfectly safe to visit and others telling me the La Boca area was best avoided.

After some additional research, I came to the following conclusions. While the touristy parts of La Boca are safe, it is important to not wander away from those areas as some parts of La Boca are unsafe for tourists. Also, to get to La Boca from Buenos Aires, take a taxi, as the surrounding area has some streets that are not safe for tourists. The La Boca area is definitely not a place where tourists would want to get lost.

Throughout my time in La Boca, I never felt that there was any danger.  Please be aware that many websites that warn of the dangers of wandering away from the tourist areas of   La Boca.  When visiting La Boca, be sure to take the normal precautions and be careful with your belongings.

La Boca is Safe for Tourists as Long as they Stay in the Tourist Areas
La Boca is Safe for Tourists as Long as they Stay in the Tourist Areas
There are Plenty of Taxis Available to get to/from the La Boca Area of Buenos Aires
There are Plenty of Taxis Available to get to/from the La Boca Area of Buenos Aires

What to See in La Boca - The El Caminito Area

The most famous area of La Boca is El Caminito.  “El Caminito” means “little walkway” and the area is full of street peddlers selling art and colorful buildings.  As you walk down the streets, it is not uncommon to see Tango dancers.  This is because the Tango originated in the La Boca area of Buenos Aires.

Tango Dancers in the El Caminito Area of La Boca
Tango Dancers in the El Caminito Area of La Boca

 

During my visit, I spent about two hours walking around La Boca.  It was interesting to look at the kiosks selling everything from art to homemade souvenirs.  There are also many small shops and restaurants inside the colorful buildings.  

 

Street Venders Selling Art and Other Souvenirs in the El Caminito Area of La Boca
Street Venders Selling Art and Other Souvenirs in the El Caminito Area of La Boca

La Bombonera Stadium

During my visit, there were no scheduled soccer matches at La Bombonera Stadium. Thankfully, one of my friends visited Buenos Aires a few weeks later and was able to attend a match.  I appreciate him allowing me to post his pictures on this page.

Estadio Alberto J. Armando Stadium, better known as La Bombonera Stadium, has a capacity of 49,000 people. The stadium is home to the Boca Juniors Athletic Club. In addition to being used for soccer, La Bombonera has hosted many concerts including, Lenny Kravitz, Elton John, and the Backstreet Boys.

La Bombonera Stadium - Buenos Aires, Argentina
My Friend's View at La Bombonera Stadium
Tickets to a Game at La Bombonera Stadium - Buenos Aires, Argentina
Ticket Cost - 500 Argentinian Pesos (As of 2020)
Watching a Game at La Bombonera Stadium - Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Seats Were Packed One Hour Before Start Time

La Boca and El Caminito Packages and Tours

I chose not to take a guided tour of La Boca, as I felt safe exploring the area by myself. For those seeking a local guide, I have linked some tours below. Please note that I am an affiliate of Viator. If you purchase a package using one of my links, I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no additional cost to you.

Walking Tour of La Boca
Walking Tour La Boca - $13.90

Discover the most picturesque place in Buenos Aires! La Boca is the place where tango was born as a result of the bohemian and artistic culture of the immigrants. The houses where they lived now form a unique mix of colors that make La Boca one of the most attractive places in South America.

We will start our tour learning about the history of the old industrial port of Buenos Aires visiting the cove of the Riachuelo, the little river that is today the south limit of the city.

Next, we will see the monument to Benito Quinquela Martín, the famous argentine popular artist that left body and soul to see his birthplace thrive and thanks to who La Boca is worldwide known for its vibrant colors.

We will walk the famous little street Caminito, full of the colorful collective houses of the working class immigrants. This is where Tango was born so we will show you why and how it started, and what is represents today to Argentina and to the world.

Private Walking Tour of La Boca
Private Walking Tour of La Boca in Buenos Aires - $60.00

La Boca will surprise you with its authentic and original spirit. You will admire colourful houses and tenements built by the immigrants that settled here at the end of the 19th century.
The famous street Caminito witnesses all this. It takes its name from a tango song written by Juan de Dios Filiberto that took inspiration on this small passage decorated with lots of colours.
You will finish your walk at Quinquela Martin’s Museum, an artist that gave colour to the neighbourhood and printed in his works the life of the port-workers and the humble inhabitants of La Boca.

3 Hour Private La Boca Street Art Walking Tour
3 hours Private La Boca Street Art Walking Tour - $80.00

La Boca is a paradox, one of the poorest barrios in the city, but with a thriving tourism scene and home to one of the biggest football clubs on the continent. Through huge visually impacting murals, and pieces that make biting social commentary we'll discover the true identity of a working class neighborhood in the throngs of gentrification, that is fighting back by spilling paint on the walls. The street art of La Boca creates a poignant narrative about left wing politics, gentrification, football hooliganism, and feminism in Argentina and Latin America.

Learn about:
-The history of Argentine street art.
-The reflection of Argentine idiosyncrasy and history on La Boca’s walls.
-Street art and its relationship with popular-class culture.
The tour finishes in Caminito, one of the most iconic areas of Buenos Aires. Feel free to explore on your own or add a short private tour of the area with us!

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