La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina

When visiting Buenos Aires, a place I recommend you explore is the culturally rich neighbourhood of La Boca. La Boca is full of colourful people, colourful buildings, colourful street art, colourful music, culture and arts.

Getting There

Our hotel was in the heart of Buenos Aires when we stayed there. And because we like to walk and explore new places when we visit a city, we walked to La Boca and back. It only takes an hour or so. But if walking isn’t your thing, then you can take a taxi (20 minutes) or a bus.

I’ve read that the surrounding neighbourhoods can be a little dodgy but we didn’t stumble across any issues. My advice is the same for when you are in any city (in the world) you aren’t familiar with, is to not act the tourist, leave your valuables at home (in your hotel). Keep your camera tidy and close to you and don’t flash the cash, blend in so to speak.

If you do decide to walk you’ll be greeted to lots of colour the nearer you get to La Boca’s centre, the Caminto and a sign will tell you when you’ve reached your destination …

La Boca History

The information post on La Boca Catalinas was a great read and so I’ve featured it here.

The Beginning

“When Garay founded the city of Buenos Aires in 1580 the only shelter that was available for the vessels that came near the Pampa coast was the Riachuelo, a stream that flows into the Rio de la Plata. Thus the city began to stretch towards the south of the Plaza Mayor. For many years there were only masts to be seen along these coasts. The land lay low and was easily flooded when struck by the South Easterly wind typical of this region.”

Introducing the Neighbourhood

“For two centuries the Boca was a settlement with some huts and few general stores where drinks were sold to the patrons. In the middle of the last century the vessel movement began to increase and a marine neighbourhood emerged around the ‘Tin Port‘ next to the Vuelta de Rocha. Immigrants began to arrive, many from Genoa, Italy.

Building Homes

“They built their house with wood and metal sheets on piles. This was an important example of spontaneous architecture, as was the origin of their colourfulness derived from the paint they retrieved from the ships. The immigrants worked hard and in a short time build salting houses, tanneries warehouses for wool, coal, naval workshops and underground storage buildings.

The Tango

“Tenement buildings sprung up to house the workforce of the district. Unknown dialects were spoken and the then repudiated Tango was played.”

Transport

“At the beginning of this century the railway and the tramway arrived and the neighbourhood filled with cranes, shipyards and chimneys. People worked intensely as Quinquela Martin the outstanding Boca painter reflects on his works.

With the construction of Puerto Madero and later Puerto Nuevo the marine Boca disappeared.”

The ‘La Boca’ We Know Today

“Today La Boca (the mouth of the rivulet) which owes its name to the Riachuelo is still related to it, although the post is not longer here. It has been said that the Argentine people are descendants of the ships and we might add, the shops machines capable of generating their own surrounding landscape.”

Arriving at La Boca

Depending on which direction you arrive at La Boca, you’ll be greeted by these massive steel structures. But even they have splashes of colour.

Colourful La Boca

Colour is everywhere, from the maps on the walls to the buildings they are a part of. And you will know Caminto when you reach it.

Caminto

Caminto is the name of the street you will visit within La Boca. It got its name from being a small street but was also influenced by the Tango. Caminto celebrates Tango, Culture, Music and the Arts. It isn’t a very long or wide street, some will say it is very touristy and tacky but who cares what they say … it’s an experience and what’s wrong with being a ‘tourist’ anyway! plus it’s chocablock full of fun and a great way to spend a few hours in my opinion.

Things to do in La Boca

Tango in the street? Why not! Actually you will witness lots of Tango inspiration from shows to souvenirs.

A free museum? Your wish is granted, the whole of Caminto is a museum, it’s a street museum. And when you visit, it really is up to you how much you want to learn about it.  Delve into the history of its artists, poets and musicians. Who all helped shaped what can be witnessed today.

But most specifically the famous artist Benito Quinquela Martín who basically created the Caminto you see today. He started with a paint brush, created a stage and named the Caminto after a very famous Tango song by the Argentine tango composer Juan de Dios Filiberto.

 

How could these images not put a smile on your face? Brightly coloured shop fronts, murals, mannequins, flags of the world … Che Guevara …

 

With on street dining, there are plenty of options to people watch.

Keep an eye out for La Ribera Theatre, the aforementioned Tango clubs and if you fancy a thirst quencher head on in to one of the Italian taverns.

 

Or you can keep strolling about to see what colour combinations are used next.

 

When visiting be sure to stop and read the plaques on the walls, and information posts. They are normally in a variety of languages. And the history of the Caminto and La Boca will come alive for you.

La Boca, a small but colourful neighbourhood that really is worth visiting. Even if you’ve never danced the Tango.

For football fans – La Boca is renowned for their football club Boca Juniors. Football shirts are widely available and you’ll see them for sale in the markets. However it is my understanding that tickets to games are sold only to members of the club. But I could stand corrected.

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