3 Things to do in La Boca
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Buenos Aires, El Caminito’s stretch of beautifully painted houses attracts tourists to the neighbourhood of La Boca every day. But once you get there, what is there to do in La Boca?
The colourful neighbourhood of La Boca / source
La Boca is inseparably linked with football, Tango, and immigration; there you will find icons of these important elements of Argentine culture. Since the area began as a shipyard, La Boca’s original houses were constructed with spare ship-building materials such as planks and corrugated iron. The neighbourhood is still largely working-class, but it’s a popular tourist destination for a number of reasons. Below are our top three things to do in La Boca.
Tango dancers performing on the streets of La Boca / source
1. Walk through El Caminito
The postcard-perfect icon of La Boca, El Caminito is a small street of brightly coloured buildings where one can find artisan vendors, tourist shops, and Tango dancers performing on the street. Toss a few pesos into the dancers’ bucket to show your appreciation for their talent, and ask for a photo with them when they’re done performing. Later you can take a short rest in a restaurant, enjoying the coffee and the atmosphere. Don’t forget to visit the ateliers, too.
El Caminito, La Boca’s most traditional alley / source
2. Visit the Boca Juniors Stadium: La Bombonera
The famous Boca Juniors football stadium is named La Bombonera because of its resemblance to a candy box. See it up close and person by taking a stadium tour, or get into the mayhem by attending an intense game between the Boca Juniors and their sworn enemy River Plate. The Boca Juniors Football Tours allow you convenient and safe access to a Boca Juniors football match in La Bombonera; otherwise, you can enter the stadium by booking a tour through Museo de la Pación Boquense. General admission to the museum is 55 pesos. Access to the museum plus a stadium tour costs 70 pesos.
The stadium owned by Boca Juniors, one of Argentina’s most famous football clubs / source
3. Have a coffee at the Fundación Proa
Fundación Proa recently became a central attraction in La Boca as a result of the local government’s efforts to make La Boca a space for cultural display in addition to tourism. The Fundación is a high-quality cultural center that often exhibits local art. Its sparkling, modern building stands out next to the old-fashioned charms of El Caminito. The gourmet café on the third floor is a great excuse to enjoy its wide windows and outdoor terrace, which offers exceptional views of the river and the old port.
The modern cultural centre, Fundación Proa / source
How to Get to La Boca
An easy ride over on the hop on-hop off bus brings visitors to the historic neighborhood of La Boca, which means “the mouth” in Spanish — a reference to its location at the mouth of the river Riachuelo. If you take the Buenos Aires bus tour from the first station on Avenida Florida, La Boca is the second most important stop after Plaza de Mayo.
More independent travellers can take the public bus line 29, popular because it goes through Santa Fe Avenue from Belgrano, passing through Palermo and past the Obelisco to La Boca. Be careful wandering around on your own in this neighborhood outside the touristic areas. If you do so, make sure to head back to a more central area by nightfall.
Another option to travel with comfort is by booking a classic city tour by bus, which will take you to all the main downtown landmarks, including El Caminito. This is an ideal option for travellers who don’t have time to see the entire city. The tour includes a 30-minute stop in Caminito for you to take pictures and buy souvenirs.
La Boca is definitely a hotspot for Buenos Aires culture. With so many engaging things to do in La Boca, you can’t miss this destination. Check out our website for more information on tours and activities in Buenos Aires.
Happy travels!
By: Caroline Leland
For: BsAs4u
