“Paris of South America” – I didn’t come up with this, it is the nickname of Buenos Aires. Seriously, when I first landed there I thought this place is in Europe. The architecture, the food, the people even (a lot more white population).
Argentina is the second country in my 2022 year end backpacking trip. It was freaking amazing to say the least.
Is Buenos Aires worth going?
I think Buenos Aires quickly became my favourite city of this trip. It is a little bad for me to say this but inflation was really bad when I went there, so I could afford a lot more. And they have killer steaks. Argentine steak is amazing quality and Argentine wine (Malbec) is so affordable and good ($2 from supermarkets). It is a bit of a hassle to change money though to get the “blue dollar rate”, you gotta exchange money with locals and not official money exchange. (Update 2025: The inflation has been largely fixed by their new president Javier Gerardo Milei, so it is less affordable now. But hey! Good for Argentina!)
Architecture
A distinct European feel to the buildings and roads here, it was hard to believe this is Latin America and people speak Spanish because of the large white population and building style here.
Check out their National Congress Building
What I Ate – Simple, Bold, and Very Meaty
Steak is the Main Character – And It’s Worth the Hype
Argentine steak, renowned for its rich flavour and tenderness, is a cornerstone of Argentine cuisine. Typically sourced from grass-fed cattle, these steaks are celebrated for their robust taste and succulent texture.
Steak is the staple here, I love the beef so much over here and it is affordable compared to everywhere else I have been to. They give so much sides too. The only other place I know with an obsession with steak is Texas, and even at Texas the steaks aren’t as nice as Argentina.
Yes it comes in all kinds, with eggs, onions, fancy, no-frills etc… I love Argentine steak
Of course there are other food too, honourable mentions fish and pork if you ever get tired of the beef, which I doubt so. Well of course these options are cheaper than steak
Yerba Mate – The Bitter Tea That Brings Argentine Together
There are a ton of good cafes selling really good coffee and desserts such as the carrot cake above ($1!). And let’s not ignore the Yerba Mate tea, a traditional South American beverage made by steeping the dried leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant in hot water. Rich in nutrients and antioxidants, it offers a unique flavor profile and a gentle caffeine boost.
This high energy and caffeine tea that almost anyone drinks in Argentina. Messi the soccer star drinks it frequently too it is almost like a national drink. It has a slight bitter strong taste.
Where I Stayed – Airbnbs
I stayed with an Argentine family at a very good location, walkable to many touristy sites. I paid something like $15 a night for a room. If I pay with cash I could pay even less (there’s the blue dollar rate which I will mention later below). I think for an interesting city like Bueno Aires, this price is good.
And the Airbnb is just beside the San Telmo weekend market, I bought some good handicrafts.
Places I Explored – Cool Districts and Culture
Palermo – The Trendy Heartbeat of the City
Palermo is the largest neighborhood (barrio) in Buenos Aires, covering approximately 17.4 square kilometers. It is renowned for its expansive green spaces, cultural institutions, and lively atmosphere.
This is a hip neighbourhood with cafes, restaurants and good airbnbs. Think of this as the capitol hill neighbourhood of Seattle, kinda. Good area if you want convenience and safety etc. I suggest a half a day walking tour of this area.
Puerto Madero – Where Modern Architecture Meets the Waterfront
Puerto Madero is a prominent neighborhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina, known for its modern architecture, upscale residences, and vibrant cultural scene. Situated along the Río de la Plata riverbank, it represents one of the city’s most significant urban redevelopment projects.
The most developed neighbourhood in Bueno Aires. Great waterfront, good restaurants/bars on the pricer side. It was close to my airbnb, which is walkable distance from here.
Certainly reminds me of Clarke Quay in Singapore, a waterfront with bars, clubs and shopping. There’s also high rises near here, with lots of fitness enthusiasts.
So many fit people in this park, I love this vibe.
El Ateneo Grand Splendid – The Most Beautiful Bookstore in the World
El Ateneo Grand Splendid is a renowned bookstore located in the Recoleta neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Housed in a former theater, it has been acclaimed as one of the most beautiful bookstores globally. This is a tourist attraction but also a legit bookstore which is good to take some shots of.
La Recoleta Cemetery – Must visit for history lovers
La Recoleta Cemetery, located in the Recoleta neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina, is renowned for its architectural beauty and as the final resting place of many notable individuals. Established in 1822, it was the city’s first public cemetery, designed by French engineer Próspero Catelin.
I have a habit of exploring some very old Cemeteries whenever I am at a new place. Kind of reminds me of the shortness of life. Anyway, this cemetery is actually very cool. Lots of famous people rests here and I even saw a new tomb being built and the whole family was there.
Argentina although has very bad economy now, but it has very strong nationalist pride, maybe less now but decades ago citizens were proud to be Argentine. I felt that this Cemetery reminds people of that.
Eva Perón’s tomb. She was the First Lady of Argentina from 1946 to 1952. She is remembered for her advocacy for labor rights, women’s suffrage, and her work with the poor. She passed away at age 33 in 1952. Shortness of life, but a legacy to be remembered.
Other things such as World Cup 2022 Celebrations!
I was caught up in the Argentina win in World Cup 2022 and saw lots of celebration decorations! I will write about this in another post. But being caught in up this historic once-in-a-lifetime experience, it is crazy to even think about it.
Thoughts
I rate Bueno Aires as top city of my South America trip in 2022. Great architecture, history, food, and cost. I know inflation was very bad and I had to exchange money on the streets (very normal thing to do, even if I don’t speak Spanish). There was surprisingly a lot of China companies there too. So there’s some Chinese population and I did get called Chino a few times. I guess racism is everywhere but most people I met are very nice.
1 incident was that I didn’t bring my keys to airbnb out (you need keys to enter the building). And it was Christmas eve, the host was out, and every restaurant (even McDonald’s was closed), I thought I would spend the night on the streets lol. Then the host called the building management who luckily was around to help me get into the building. I tipped him even though he was not expecting it.
I do feel kinda sad that he had to spend Christmas by himself (like me). I hope Argentina’s economy improves. (Edit 2025, it is improving!)
Lastly, I want to share this photo of a family-ran small restaurant. Dad is the chef, mum manages the money, teenager son speaks a little English and is helping, and an old Japanese man seems to visit this place often. Japanese man could barely walk and spoke little English but saw me (Asian), and wanted to speak to me. He said Singapore is good.
I don’t know what to feel about this, but it was a mixture of a nice family making an honest living and an old man at the end of his life probably with interesting stories. I know I will remember this image for life.