Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a wonderful combination of sleek skyscrapers and past grandeur, a collision of the ultra-chic and tumbledown. Still, there has always been an undercurrent of melancholy in B.A. (as it is affectionately known by expats who call Buenos Aires home), which may help explain the residents' devotion to that bittersweet expression of popular culture in Argentina, the tango. Still performed—albeit much less frequently now—in the streets and cafes, the tango has a romantic and nostalgic nature that is emblematic of Buenos Aires itself.
However, travel to Buenos Aires is still a popular trip, especially with stops in places like San Telmo, Palermo and the array of plazas that help make up Buenos Aires tours.
Location
Cruise ships stop at Buenos Aires, typically November-April, on round-the-world cruises, Argentina-Brazil summer cruises (the summer months there being November-February) and the popular Argentina-Chile cruises, which stop over in Patagonia en route.
Located in the Puerto Nuevo area, north of the Puerto Madero development zone, the Terminal de Pasajeros Benito Quinquela Martin is on Avenida Presidente Ramon Castillo, between Avenida de los Inmigrantes y Avenida Antartida Argentina (phone 4317-0600). It has a tourist-information office, shops and cafes. Nearby there's a locutorio for phone and Internet access, and taxis are usually parked in the vicinity.
Shore Excursions
Consider signing up for the excursions offered by your ship. They may not be the least expensive way to see the city, but you won't have to waste your limited time making arrangements yourself—and you won't have to worry about missing the ship. Typical tours include excursions to the Plaza de Mayo, San Telmo's Plaza Dorrego (especially for Sunday's flea market), La Boca's colorful Caminito pedestrian mall and the Recoleta Cemetery. The Puerto Madero waterfront and Palermo's art museums are also popular trips. If you want to get some exercise, a city bike tour packs in a lot of sites and some time riding through parks. Check with your ship's shore-excursion director or your travel agent for additional information.
