Although La Boca is merely one of 48 barrios in Buenos Aires, it is easily the most colorful. As one of the few locations where wood construction is common in Buenos Aires, most homes are painted in bright pastel-like colors. Local businesses add to the color by featuring free tango shows, tributes to the Boca Juniors all-star, Diego Maradona, and art galleries.
History of La Boca
The name La Boca translates to the mouth, lending to the common opinion that the neighborhood was named for its location at the mouth of the Riachuelo River. Several local residents and history aficionados feel otherwise however, citing the original settler’s heritage as the source of the name.
Although founded by French-Basque immigrants, residents from Genoa, Italy quickly populated the area. Many believe the strong similarities to that city’s Boccadasse neighborhood prove the name’s true origin.
Either way, the passionate residents gave birth to Argentina’s radical political scene. In 1882, President Julio Roca personally tore down the Genoese flag, raised after local residents voted to withdraw from the federal union. In 1935, La Boca elected the first socialist congressman, Alfredo Palacios, to Argentina’s Congress.
Tourism in La Boca
No trip to Buenos Aires is complete without visiting Caminito, a pedestrian street that features much of La Boca’s highlights. Although only five blocks long, the well-maintained area is one of the only safe places for tourists to visit. Some side streets are well traveled, but just remember this easy advice: the fresher the paint, the safer the neighborhood.
Highlights along Caminito include outdoor art galleries, street-performed Tango shows and endless pastel-colored wood-and-corrugated-steel built houses. Restaurant hosts will try to pressure visitors into stopping for a bite to eat, but arriving early in the morning, or simply ignoring their pleas quickly dissuades their attempts.
The Boca Juniors Stadium
Argentina is a football-crazed nation. Although there are numerous teams, only two really matter: River Plate and Boca Juniors. The teams have been rivals since organized football (soccer) began in Buenos Aires.
The Boca Juniors stadium, located three blocks north of Caminito, is well worth a visit for any football fan. Tours are available daily through both the Stadiums grounds and museum.
Games can be watched during either of Argentina’s two football seasons: the Clausura, which runs from February to June; or the Apertura, which runs from August to December. Stadium staff recommends non-Spanish speaking visitors attend games only with guided tours organized through most hotels in the city. The public section, where local fanatics stand, is rife with violence.
Current National team head coach, Diego Maradona, is world-renown for his famous goal versus England in the 1976 World Cup, but in Argentina he is remembered most for his days with the Boca Juniors. Constant reminders of his status are found throughout La Boca, however, only the stadium tour will reveal his permanently-reserved seat at mid-field.
How to Get To Caminito
Caminito is the easiest and safest starting point for any visit to La Boca. From downtown Buenos Aires, it’s approximately an ARG$30.00 taxi ride. A cheaper alternative is city transport. Although the busy subway does not reach this far south, buses 64, 46 and 29 take passengers to and from downtown for only ARG$1.20
Jeff Bartlett - I still fear the all–too–common travel situation that seems to arise at least once per week. The one where I am sitting in a ...
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