Buenos Aires, Argentina Exudes Old World Charm
You'll find a bit of Europe in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
One of the largest urban centers in the world, with a population of more than 10 million, Buenos Aires, Argentina is a vibrant and cultural city.
The citizens of the city, called Portenos, are quite proud of their European heritage and it's noted that you'll often find more German and Italian names among the people here, rather than an abundance of Spanish names. Many refer to this capital city as the Paris of South America.
Sightseeing
Buenos Aires was, just a few short years ago, one of the most expensive cities to visit in South America. But after the peso suffered a drastic fall in value, prices became more affordable and tourists have once again begun to enjoy this wonderful city.
Hotels costs are now in-line with or cheaper than those of other South American capital cities, so sightseeing here is a great value for tourists. The fact that there's so much to see and do makes it even more special.
Tourists generally concentrate their sightseeing efforts near the colonial heart of the city, established in the late 16th century and known as the Plaza de Mayo. Most of the city's newer hotels are located nearby, as are many clubs and restaurants.
You'll need at least a week to visit all the things that will no doubt wind up on your list of "must-dos" here in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Plan your days accordingly so that you can cover everything in one neighborhood before you move on to the next.
Don't miss the Teatro Colon, one of the world's premiere opera houses and a truly stunning architectural site. All the world's greatest names in opera have performed at this theater, which took 28 years to build and is renowned for having some of the best acoustics in the world.
Visiting Casa Rosado, once the home of Argentine presidents, will provide you with the opportunity to see the balcony from which Eva Peron addressed throngs of adoring Argentinians.
While the president no longer lives here, there's a great museum of presidential history and artifacts on site. At a different location, there's also a museum (Museo Evita) dedicated to the life of the famous first lady.
The Zoological Gardens here is one of the best city zoos in the world. The architecture is fascinating and the animals plentiful. This should be a definite stop for anyone traveling to Buenos Aires with children.
There are also dozens of art and natural history museums that are quite enjoyable yet won't consume hours of your sightseeing time, so you can fit several short visits into one day.
When to Visit
If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, don't forget that South America's seasons are reversed. That means July is their coldest month, when temperatures are chilly but not unbearable.
The climate in Argentina is considered to be temperate and Buenos Aires is located in the central humid zone. Thus, December and January can be quite hot and humid, with average temperatures in the 90s and up to the low 100s.
It's fun to visit during some of the Buenos Aires festivals. Carnival (Mardi Gras) is celebrated each weekend in February and the Tango Festival (the national dance) is held in March. There's also a theater festival in September, when the weather is lovely and spring-like in Buenos Aires.