Buenos Aires & Iguazu Falls

PRO TIPS:

• There are many stray dogs and other animals around the city. While they are cute, it's best to leave them alone and do not approach them. Many of them are wild and could be carrying diseases or fleas. It's also best not to approach guard dogs either, for obvious reasons. 
• Demonstrations and protests can be common in the city and on major road ways. Always check the traffic before you head out of town in case there's a hold up, and it's best NOT to join in the protests and to just steer clear of the area for your own safety, as well as those in the demonstration. 
• Getting around: 
  • Taxis are a great option, but can get pricey if there's traffic (there's usually traffic)
  • The metro (Subte) and bus are excellent! The same card works for for networks
  • There are free bikes around the city! You can use them up to an hour on weekdays, and 2 on weekends (called Ecobici)

Day 1

Plaza de Mayo (Free)

Start off yuor trip with some history and some typically Argentinian architecture. The Plaza de Mayo is the city square and main foundational site of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Here you can walk around and see La Catedral Metropolitana, the city’s official cathedral was opened in 1836, and constructed in the Neo-Classical style. There are many other monuments and important buildings in this square so you can get a sense of Buenos Aires and it's history. 

Avenida de Mayo (Shopping)

This elegant street is lined with great shops and local goods. Make your way down the road, which is adjascent to Plaza de Mayo and shop your way around. Book lovers need to visit El Túnel, a favourite among bibliophiles in a city that has more bookstores per capita than any other. Browse the shelves and see what rare finds you can dig out.  

Dinner at Cafe Tortoni ($$)

Iconic French-style cafe that opened in 1858, and is now a favorite haunt of the cultural elite. Many nights serve up live tango with your amazing French dinner and fancy cocktail! Stop here for dinner and a drink before heading out for a cultural evening. 

Teatro Colon ($$$)

Do not miss this experience! The Teatro Colón is the main opera house in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is considered one of the ten best opera houses in the world by National Geographic, and is acoustically considered to be amongst the five best concert venues in the world. It may sound strange, but the ceiling is like nothing else you've ever seen before. If you go in December, catch Swan Lake if you can! 

Day 2

De Julio Ave & Obelisk (Free)

Back in the same area of the Teatro Colon, head over to De Julio Avenue to experience more of the city. There's a viewing area that you can take some Instagram-worthy photos and get a good vantage point of the Obelisk and part of the city too. 

The Recoleta Cemetery (Free)

An absolute must-see in BA! There are some tours available, but I would recommend going on Wikipedia or Google and researching it beforehand, and then touring the famous cemetery yourself at your own pace. This cemetery is more like multiple mausoleums and crypts. These castle-like graves house Argentina's nobility, past presidents, and generals. It's a walk through the history of Argentina. In the summer (December), there are many beautiful fuscia flowers climbing the gnarled walls. It's very odd, but beautiful. 

El Mercado de las Pulgas (Shopping)

This is a bit of a "hidden gem". Take the Subte or the bus over to the Palermo neighbourhood to visit this energetic flea market. There's often live music, live painting, and locals lounging about in the adjascent park. This is a great place to get some classic BA souvineers, but also some flea market oddities. Closed on Mondays, but open all other days! 

Salvaje Bakery ($)

Only a 3 minute walk from the Flea Market, stop for lunch at this delicious bakery. Follow your nose over to it and grab something tasty. This bustling, trendy locale offers gourmet baked goods, espresso drinks, light eats, and ALL DAY BRUNCH! 

Palermo Soho 

Head over to this trendy area, named after the New York Soho, to wander around for dinner and a drink. This neighbourhood is filled with sidewalk cafes, bars, boutique shopping and classic Buenos Aires street art. It's worth it to revisit this area in the afternoon as well if you get a chance. Spend some time wandering around this area, shopping or relaxing in the main plazas before stopping somewhere that looks good for dinner and a drink. 

Day 3

Breakfast at Hierbabuena ($$)

A wonderful little breakfast and brunch spot with delicious vegetarian and vegan friendly food. It also has an adorable organic market to take some goodies with you. If you like sweet pastries or prefer savory fancy avacado toasts, this is the place for you. I also recommend this location because of its proximity to La Boca, which is often a bit out of the way. 

La Boca (Free)

From Hierbabuena, La Boca is about a 15 minute walk or a very quick bus ride. La Boca is a working-class area with a cluster of attractions near the Riachuelo River. Steakhouses and street artists surround Caminito, a narrow alley flanked by brightly painted zinc shacks that evoke the district’s early days. There is sometimes live tango in the main square, or other live street performances going on. There's also lots of great shopping and restaurants around here, but it's worth it to even just walk around and see something very different. 

Dinner at Cabaña Las Lilas ($$$$)

You can't come to BA without stopping for some red wine and steak. This is hands down one of the best places to find both, as well as one of the most iconic views of the city. This industrial area by the harbour is classically Buenos Aires, and although this gourmet restaurant comes with a price tag, it's worth it. If you're on a budget, there is a place nearby(ish) called Parrilla Bar Polo that is cheap and decent. Both are not too far from La Boca either. 

Day 4

Getting to Iguazu Falls ($$$)

If you're in BA, you CANNOT MISS Iguazu Falls! It's a world wonder for a reason! The bus is definitely the cheapest (although maybe not the fastest) way to get there. A ticket costs about $60 CAD depending on the company you use and the "class" you get on the bus. You can also fly, which is a much faster option (about 2 hours flight time) and not too bad on cost, depending on your budget. 

Staying in Puerto Iguazu ($-$$$$)

Depending on where you decide to stay, it's fun to take the evening and hang out in the town of Puerto Iguazu before your big adventure tomorrow. There are lots of overnight options, from budget hostels (always read reviews before booking), mid-range hotel stays, or even luxury hotels closer to the Falls themselves. Take the evening to have a nice dinner and to prepare for a once in a lifetime adventure the next day. 

Day 5

Iguazu Falls ($$)

Iguazu Falls are the largest waterfall system in the world: taller than Niagara Falls and wider than Victoria Falls! Nothing can prepare you for the sheer force, magnitude and power of such a body of water hurtling over a cliff face with such momentum surrounded by lush rainforest! There is an entrance fee into the park, but it's usually lumped in with transportation. If you can swing it, I really recommend buying a waterproof poncho from a camping store, or even a dollar store before your trip, or in BA. It can rain unexpectedly, but there's also a lot of splashback from the falls. You can either book a tour, or tour it yourself! I would say either is good. 

There's a TON of wildlife at the Falls, and the park tries to preserve it. You'll see many different types of huge butterflies, adorable lizards, huge prehistoric looking dragonflies, LOTS of brightly coloured and very loud birds, toucans, guinea pigs, and little mammalian critters that look like tan raccoons called coati. Don't get too close though, as they are wild. 

Take the day to tour around the Falls and walk through all the boardwalks going into the jungle. There are a ton of great photo opps, and a pretty basic restaurant for lunch. 

The Devil's Throat

This is worth it's own section, just to make sure you see it while you're at Iguazu Falls. This is included in your ticket price, and if you're short on time, make this the thing you see while you're there. The Devil’s Throat itself is the main attraction. Among the falls known as Iguazu Falls, Devil’s Throat is the largest. It drops more than 262 feet into a white pool that’s indistinguishable because of the permanent mist that forms thanks to the powerful water flow. The curtain contains 14 falls total and is shaped like a horseshoe. It's amazing to witness! 

Back to BA

Once you've taken some time at the Falls (you could even add an extra day in here, easily, as the falls and the park are huge), it's time to head back into Buenos Aires. Your ticket (either bus or plane) can be booked roundtrip, and it's usually cheaper to do that. Head back into the city for one final day. 

Day 6

Empanadas at Pulpería Quilapán ($)

After an adventurous day at Iguazu Falls, it's time to relax back in Buenos Aires. And it wouldn't be a complete trip to BA without trying some famous Argentinian empanadas. Stop by this great cafe on the way to your next stop to pick up some coffee, good cheese, and quite a few empanadas. They have a super cute sitting area so you can take your time and relax here for a leisurely brunch. 

The MACBA ($$)

This beautiful art gallery is one of a kind, not just in BA, but in South America. This gallery holds many contemporary works by local and international artists showcased in a minimalist, modern space. Take your time and stroll through the gallery and see some of the larger than life (and sometimes a little too life-like) statues, paintings, and art installations. 

Plaza Dorrego (Shopping)

Only a very short 3 minute walk North of the gallery is the iconic little Plaza Dorrego. Plaza Dorrego is a square located in the heart of San Telmo, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In the 19th century, San Telmo was the main residential barrio of the city and Plaza Dorrego was its focal point. Beautiful and iconic, this area has a ton of shopping for last minute souvineers, flea market finds, and sometimes even live tango. 

Wine at La Malbequería ($$$)

For this last dinner before you leave, it's finally time to sample many of Argentina's famous red wines. Have a nice dinner and ask the gourmands to assist you with wine pairings - they really know what they're doing here! If you can, I would recommend sitting outside on the gorgeous patio. They even have a fish pond amond the cobblestoned paths. Sample your way through a few courses, relax, and enjoy the finest wine.