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This traditional porteño neighborhood of La Boca owes its name to the fact that it is the mouth (la boca) del Riachuelo (“Little River”). It owes its present appearance to the hundreds of nineteenth century Italian immigrants who arrived, mostly from Genoa. The bustling Buenos Aires port attracted them like a magnet.
The "Conventillos"
Since they had no place to live, the immigrants built “conventillos,” rustic dwellings shared by several families. Since they used whatever paint was left over after painting their boats, the sheet metal houses with their small doors and windows, combined many different colors, making La Boca one of Buenos Aires’ most picturesque neighborhoods.
The Caminito
The Caminito, the ” little street”, pays homage to the tango Caminito, composed by Juan de Dios Filiberto. It is one of the many attractions of La Boca and a trademark of the city.
Considered the first pedestrian open air museum in the world, this 328 foot long street is host to different street artists whose work we admire. Walking along Caminito, we can enjoy singers and tango dancers, see and acquire artisan crafts, and admire murals and ceramics made by the “fileteadores” (“fillet” artists), painters who employ a special technique to create an ornamental art known for its stylized forms and intense colors.
As we walk along the streets of La Boca, we find replicas of the old conventillos. On their balconies are images of well-known Argentine figures-Carlos Gardel, the tango singer, Evita and Maradona as well as clothes hung out to dry just as though the dwellings were still inhabited. Many of these conventillos have been converted into small museums that show us the lifesyle of those first immigrants.
La Boca is one of the not-to-be-missed places on the visitors’ agenda and crowded with local and foreign tourists, tempted by the opportunity to buy typical Argentine souvenirs and eat at the inexpensive restaurants and pizzerias.
How to Get There
You can take the 20, 25, 29, 33 , 46, 53,62, or 152 buses.
Adónde alojarse
If you are looking for a place to stay, you can find it in Hostels in La Boca.
Recommendations
- Bring your camera with plenty of space on the memory card and a well-charged battery.
- Buy some souvenirs.
- Be careful of your belongings. As with any big city, you have to watch out for pickpockets. Don’t be afraid; be careful.
- Have a cup of coffee or a meal in one of the typical restaurants.
- Leave something for the street artists if you enjoyed their performance.
- Visit a conventillo or a museum.
More photos of Caminito and La Boca
Source: Buenos Aires Hostels + www.ba-h.com.ar the principal reference for Hostels in Buenos Aires. The website was created in 1999 and offers an ample selection of hostels, apartments, bed and breakfasts, and university residences in the principal Buenos Aires neighborhoods: Palermo, Recoleta, Barrio Norte, Belgrano, San Telmo, La Boca, etc.
El tradicional barrio porteño de La Boca debe su nombre a la entrada del Riachuelo. Su aspecto actual es el que le dieron los cientos de inmigrantes que llegaron a mediados del siglo XIX, principalmente italianos genoveses que se instalaron allí atraídos por la fuerte actividad portuaria.
Los conventillos
Como no tenían lugar adonde vivir, tuvieron que construir lo que se denominó “conventillos”, casas humildes que compartían varias familias. Tanto el exterior de esas casas (de chapa), sus puertas y ventanas presentan distintas combinaciones de colores debido a que las pinturas utilizadas eran sobrantes de los barcos. Esta es una de las características principales de la fisonomía de uno de los lugares más pintorescos de Buenos Aires.
Caminito
Entre los muchos atractivos que ofrece el barrio de La Boca decidimos recorrer “Caminito”, una de las postales emblemáticas de la ciudad.
Su nombre es un homenaje al Tango de Juan de Dios Filiberto.
Es considerado el primer museo peatonal al aire libre del mundo. Esta calle de tan solo cien metros alberga a diversos artistas callejeros que nos maravillan con su trabajo. Podemos disfrutar de cantantes y bailarines de tango, ver y adquirir las obras de artesanos y admirar murales y cerámicas hechas por fileteadores, pintores con una técnica particular: un arte ornamental de formas estilizadas y colores intensos.
A lo largo de este paseo, encontraremos réplicas de los antiguos conventillos en cuyos balcones se pueden ver representaciones de personajes de la historia argentina (como Gardel, Maradona o Evita) y ropa tendida como cuando eran habitadas. Muchos de ellos fueron convertidos en pequeños museos adonde podemos ver cómo vivían los primeros habitantes de la zona.
Por ser visita obligada en todo city tour es muy concurrido por turistas locales y extranjeros que son tentados por los locales de recuerdos turísticos, tiendas de objetos típicos argentinos. En la zona podremos saborear una comida típica en un bodegón o alguna pizzería.
¿Cómo llegar a Caminito?
Para llegar se puede optar entre diversas líneas de buses o colectivos: 20, 25, 29, 33, 46, 53, 64, 152.
Adónde alojarse
Si buscás alojamiento en La Boca, cerca de Caminito, podrás encontrarlo en Hostels en La Boca.
Recomendaciones
- Traé tu cámara de fotos con pilas bien cargadas y memoria con espacio disponible.
- Comprá alguno de los souvenirs.
- Tené cuidado con tus pertenencias. Como en toda ciudad concurrida hay que estar prevenidos de los arrebatadores. No tengas miedo, solo precaución.
- Tomá un café o comé en uno de los lugares típicos.
- Colaborá con los artistas callejeros si lo que hicieron te gustó.
- Visitá algún conventillo museo.
Más fotos de Caminito y La Boca
Fuente: Buenos Aires Hostels + www.ba-h.com.ar el principal referente en materia de Hostels en Buenos Aires. El portal fue creado en 1999 y cuenta con una amplia oferta de Hostels, Apartamentos, Bed & Breakfast y Residencias Universitarias en los principales barrios de Buenos Aires: Palermo, Recoleta, Barrio Norte, Belgrano, San Telmo, La Boca, etc.
Staying at a Hostel is an advantage in many ways:
1- Rates
Hostels are cheaper than Hotels or Bed & Breakfasts. You will save money and you will be able to afford a longer stay, excursions, outings or visits to other towns.
2- Making new friends
Hostels have certain areas that can be shared by guests from all over the world. You will listen to stories and anecdotes, meet people with broad travel experience, you will play pool and table football, watch movies, go dancing or go on excursions with them.
3- Activities at the Hostels and outings
Hostels usually organize different activities such as parties, tango lessons, Playstation tournaments, ping-pong or pool games. Sometimes you will enjoy a traditional argentine barbecue.
They will offer you a variety of entertainments. There are many options: you may go dancing, watch a football game at Boca Juniors Stadium, go sightseeing, see a tango show, visit a ranch, go on different excursions and enjoy alternative tourism and package tours.
4- Services
The number and quality of services offered by hostels is increasing due to the competition among Hostels. The rate usually includes: breakfast, internet access (very often Wi-Fi), lockers, luggage storage, room service and the use of a fully equipped kitchen for guests.
5- Hospitality
Hostels are well known for the hospitality offered by the young people in the staff who have acquired previous “hostel experience” and have traveled around the world. They know exactly what you need.
6- Timetable
If you are respectful of other guests and you do not make any annoying noise, you are free to stay in the shared areas or enter and leave the premises at any time.
7- A variety of rooms
You may ask for a single or double room or for a room for three, four, six or eight guests. These rooms may have private or shared bathrooms. There are different possibilities to suit your budget.
8- Cultural diversity
You will practice and improve your Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian or German with guests of different nationalities while staying at the hostel or going out together.
9- Welcome presents, promotions, discounts
On your arrival you will probably be welcomed with a drink and after a certain number of days at the hostel you may get a free day stay.
You may also get discounts at bars, discos, theaters and cinemas.
10- Location
There are Hostels in the main neighborhoods of Buenos Aires with easy access to the points of interest. Here you can see a map of Hostels in Buenos Aires.
Source: Buenos Aires Hostels + www.ba-h.com.ar the principal reference for Hostels in Buenos Aires. The website was created in 1999 and offers an ample selection of hostels, apartments, bed and breakfasts, and university residences in the principal Buenos Aires neighborhoods: Palermo, Recoleta, Barrio Norte, Belgrano, San Telmo, La Boca, etc.
