This weekend I visited one of the ‘must sees’ of Buenos Aires. It felt good to cross it off my (imaginary) list. I didn’t want to feel that I’d come all this way and not done the obvious thing; it would be like going to Paris and not going up the Eiffel Tower, or going to Athens without visiting the Acropolis.
So I took a trip to La Boca.
La Boca
The area was originally thrown together by immigrants, using cast-off ship building materials, hence the rather haphazard appearance.
Then in the late 50s an artist, Benito Quinquela Martín. decided to resurrect the area, making it into a little artistic community.
It all sounds good in theory but in reality it has become a bit of a tourist trap, with overpriced souvenirs and ‘tango shows’ that are far from authentic.
That said, I really enjoyed spending an hour or so there taking my photos and such; it is very picturesque. However I didn’t buy anything and I don’t think I’ll ever need to go again.
The Pope welcomes you to La Caminito, the main tourist street of La Boca
Safety
Any quick internet search will warn you of the dangers of La Boca. It’s not surprising; it’s what happens where you have an economically disadvantaged area next to a tourist attraction. Generally, the advice is not to stray far from La Caminita and the touristy part (‘far’ can mean just a couple of blocks) and not to wander in after dark. I took everything out of my bag and travelled with just enough cash for the day.
Getting there
There’s no sube (underground) stop at La Boca but there are lots of buses. Number 20 worked for me; I got on near to Plaza de Mayo.
Diego Maradonna: just up the road is La Bombonera stadium.
Categories: Argentina, Uncategorized
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We always feel the need to at least see the tourist spots once to decide ourselves whether or not it’s worth it. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn’t. Love the pope picture by the way!!
Thanks! yes actually I enjoyed the place it wasn’t as bad as I”d been expecting.
Oh wow, I love what they did to the town. I am a fan of art, I’d probably spend hours just taking photographs.
Yeah it is really pretty, it’s just the tat their selling and the fact that it operates just for tourists that put me off. But worth the trip still.
I really wanted to go to La Boca but found it disappointing! Once again I agree with your attitude and insight!
well everyone said it was very touristy, so I wasn’t so disappointed because I wasn’t expecting much. It was ok for an hour or so.
I do love ambling around colourful towns like this to take photos. Very pretty 🙂
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yes it makes a nice photo opportunity
Place looks very colourful. I did google the dangers and am now happy to look at the pictures from safe place. 🙂
it’s just that there are these ‘no go’ areas so close and easy to wander into them
There’s nothing wrong with visiting the tourist spots 😀
no it was actually quite good for a short time