La Boca Buenos Aires | Guide to the City’s Most Colorful Neighborhood
La Boca is one of Buenos Aires’ oldest working-class neighborhoods, famous for brightly colored walls, tango, and Boca Jr, the futbol team of Maradona.
If you have ever seen photos of Buenos Aires, then it is likely you know what La Boca looks like. There are several old buildings with brightly colored walls of green, blue, and red. This neighborhood is also famous for tango, which you can easily see all over the streets and in restaurants here.
While La Boca seems bright and touristy, it also has a dark side. This is one of the poorer areas of the city, and it shows with the number of reported thefts and crumbling buildings. I suggest visiting La Boca, but not for more than an afternoon, and certainly not after dark.
I have been to La Boca dozens of times and know it well. This post will tell you what to do, where to go, where to eat, and how to stay safe in La Boca.
Why is La Boca Buenos Aires Famous?
La Boca, meaning ‘the mouth,’ is one of the most southern neighborhoods in Buenos Aires and is commonly visited by tourists. It was previously known as a working-class neighborhood, with the majority of its residents immigrating from Genoa, Italy.
La Boca is known for its bright colors on the streets and the walls of all the buildings. This is where you can find live tango shows and the Boca Jr. Stadium.
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The Colorful Vibe in La Boca
There are more tourists in La Boca per square meter than anywhere else in the city. But there is a reason for that. It’s bright and colorful, with its mismatched paint jobs on the buildings and cobblestone streets.
You can pay a fee to take a photo with people dressed in tango clothes, though you may not actually see them do tango. However, you can catch some live tango at a few of the touristy restaurants along El Caminito (the busiest street) and Magallanes.
Try to stick to El Caminito and Magallanes as much as possible, as they are the most watched-over and touristed areas. Outside of these streets, the vibe changes dramatically.
The Sketchy vibe in La Boca
A really common question is, “Is La Boca Buenos Aires safe?” The answer is yes and no. The main tourist center in La Boca is generally pretty well watched by police, and you can see guards walking around the area. But outside of that main area, things start to feel a bit more sketchy.
My iPhone was literally snatched out of my hand in broad daylight while eating lunch at a restaurant just two blocks from the main tourist area. I strongly suggest not pulling out your phone unless taking a picture or looking for directions. If you do that, step inside a shop or a doorway. Always keep your phone hidden.
I cannot stress this enough. Not just because it happened to me, but because I continue to hear dozens of stories similar to mine every year. Keep your phone hidden even if it’s on a chain. Even if it’s in your pocket. Even if it’s daytime. Do not make it obvious where you have your phone.
Is it safe to walk around La Boca at night? Absolutely not. Don’t do it.
La Boca Buenos Aires Map
Transportation in La Boca
The subte does not reach La Boca, however, several buses pass through the neighborhood. I suggest putting in “Vuelta de Rocha” into Google Maps to find the bus to get you there from where you’re staying.
There is a fantastic transportation system in Buenos Aires, and it’s easy to get around in such a big city.
What to do in La Boca Buenos Aires
There are many free things to do in Buenos Aires, and a few of them can be found in La Boca.
The Tourist Sites in La Boca
This is one of the most touristy areas in all of Buenos Aires.
La Bombonera
If you’re a fútbol fan, take a stroll over to the Boca Jrs’ stadium, La Bombonera. Even if you don’t make it inside for a game, it’s a sight to see with its imposing blue and yellow that takes over the neighborhood. There is a museum dedicated to La Boca inside the Adidas store.
You can get tickets for a guided tour of the entire stadium, including the dressing rooms, the players’ tunnels, and Maradona’s private seats. Access to the museum is included in this price.
El Caminito and Magallanes
These are two small streets that go right through the heart of the neighborhood and are crowded with tourists. Local restaurants try to convince you to stop in for lunch. Several small alleyways branch off from Magallanes with little shops and markets.
You can also see live tango shows over lunch. The buildings are bright colors of reds, yellows, greens, and blues. When you see photos of Buenos Aires, this area is probably the most shown!
MARCO Museum
The MARCO Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de La Boca is a two-story museum with a cafe and a bookshop. Wednesdays and Thursdays are free. I suggest going only on a free day because you will be disappointed if you have to pay. There are a few exhibits inside.
Fundación Proa
The Fundación Proa is one of the most notable museums in La Boca. There is also a cafe where you can grab a coffee. They have great contemporary works from artists in Argentina and around the world.
Benito Quinquela Martín Museum
The Benito Quinquela Martín Museum is just down the street from Fundación Proa. It is a museum dedicated to the local artist Benito Quinquela, who tells the story of his life and shows his works.
The Colorful Port
Take a stroll along the water to see the brightly colored cobblestone streets and buildings, beginning right at the statue Escultura Benito Quinquela Martín. This is the area directly between the Benito Quinquela Museum and Fundación Proa.
Parks in La Boca
La Boca doesn’t have too many green spaces, unfortunately. The biggest green space you’ll see on Maps is La Bombonera, Boca Jr’s stadium. Other than that, you have Plaza Solis, which is a sad little park with dying grass. There should be no reason to spend time here. Don’t stray from the main tourist beat.
Shopping in La Boca Buenos Aires
The majority of the shopping in this neighborhood is for tourist items, such as magnets, Boca Jr jerseys, or painted pictures of tango dancers. All along the main tourist street (Magallanes) in La Boca, you’ll find several side alleys that lead into gallerias full of souvenirs. Mate cups, scarves, bags, etc.
You’ll know the main street because it’s full of people and restaurants. If you’re looking for any Boca Juniors paraphernalia, this is the place to find it. It’s all over.
Where to Eat & Drink in La Boca
La Boca has several restaurants around its main tourist streets. They will be obvious. You can see a few live tango shows at some of them while you eat lunch. The main tourist restaurants here will be very expensive, more than most other restaurants in the city. There are quite a few street choripan vendors around the area as well.
Coffee and Bar Roma
This is one of Buenos Aires’ ‘Bares Notables.’ It still has the original floor, wall decorations, tables, etc. It looks like it’s straight out of the 1940s. While it’s not in the main tourist area, it is off a main street, so it doesn’t feel quite as sketchy as some of the other ‘off the beaten path’ locations in the area.
La Vieja Rotistería
This is one of the more famous restaurants in the neighborhood. You can find traditional Argentine food here, plus a tango show. Expect the prices to be elevated.
El Rinconcito and other local restaurants
Along Calle Valle Iberlucea, you can find a ton of local restaurants and guys grilling choripan (chorizo in a bread bun). You need to try this at least once in Buenos Aires. The most famous area to get a choripan, though, is along the Costanera in Puerto Madero.
Note: As you go further from the tourist center, the food becomes much cheaper, but it is also less guarded by the police. The further away you go, the more sketchy things get.
Check out these other Buenos Aires neighborhoods
Get to know these other Buenos Aires neighborhoods. Each area is unique and has its own charm.
Guide to the Best Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires
Where to Stay in La Boca
Don’t. Honestly. I really don’t recommend this. It’s far from everything else in the city and it’s too sketchy to spend more than an afternoon here.
Final Thoughts on La Boca, Buenos Aires
While La Boca is a great place to visit during the day, you really need to be vigilant at all times. It’s fun to see the painted houses, the great museums, and the markets, but be cautious. If you take anything away from learning about La Boca, it’s BE CAREFUL. Go once in the middle of the day to see it, but you don’t need to spend any more time there.
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