There is no simple answer to this question. It all depends on what type of person you are, and what you want to get out of your time in Buenos Aires. The following descriptions of the main areas to stay in Buenos Aires, Argentina should help you choose. Leave me a comment if you have any questions about a particular Barrio, Hotel or Hostel.

‘Microcentro’ (City Center)

This area is OBVIOUSLY central! For many people this is ideal, and it will put you close to major tourist attractions such as the Obelisk, Plaza de Mayo, the Pink House, the Cathedral, Avenida de Mayo, Congress, Florida Shopping Street, Teatro Colon, Plaza San Martin and a whole lot more. However, in other ways it is not so perfect, because this area is also the most busy with dangerous traffic, polluted, noisy, and lacking in space. You have to weigh up these pros and cons to make your decision. But you do stay in the Microcentro, it is very easy to get around on the ‘subte’ (subway) system, which serves this area well, as opposed to most other parts of Buenos Aires.

Slightly North of Center – Recoleta, Retiro, Barrio Norte

These are the most exclusive areas of the City of Buenos Aires (particularly Recoleta), where you will find high class hotels such the Alvear, Four Seasons and the Plaza. Although they obviously come at a price! In keeping with the exclusivity of these areas, you will also find some of the best (i.e. most expensive – though that shouldn’t matter too much as a visitor on the right side of the exchange rate for Argentine Pesos) shopping centres, leather shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, art galleries, and parks in Buenos Aires. Also, you should be fairly close to the remarkable Recoleta Cemetery, where Evita Peron is laid to rest among many other amazingly decadent mausoleums of the rich and famous. Recoleta and Retiro (mainly near Plaza San Martin) are probably the most pleasnatly upmarket areas to stay, if you have the cash required!

A little Further North – Palermo

This is the largest barrio of Buenos Aires, mainly filled with tranquil, green parks. And so it can be one of the most laid-back areas to base yourselves in. Among the parks you will find the ‘Rosedal’ (Rose Garden), Botanic Gardens, Japanese Gardens and the Buenos Aires City Zoo. Parts of Palermo, such as Palermo Hollywood and Palermo Soho, are also fast becoming the hippest parts of BA, with fashionable bars, nightclubs, restaurants, boutique hotels and small designer label shops springing up almost by the minute. Finally, Palermo is generally well serves by Line D (Green Line) of the subte system, which conveniently takes you into the city center, or a little further north to Belgrano. Palermo is great for both families and young couples alike, and is a very popular place for visitors renting a Buenos Aires Apartment.

Go South! – San Telmo and Monserrat

These adjoining areas of Buenos Aires, just south of the Microcentro, are the most ‘historic’ areas of the city. The olde worlde BA, if you like. Here is where Buenos Aires was first founded, and is where some of the few remaining colonial buildings can be found, mixed in with some beautiful art nouveau and gothic styles from the preceding periods, all in a state of atmospheric decaying grandeur. Cobbled streets abound! The rich of BA used to live in San Telmo until a yellow fever outbreak in 1871, when they moved away from the lowland river to their current location in Recoleta. These days, San Telmo is the home to modern Argentine Tango in Buenos Aires, where you will find many Tango shows, clubs, lessons, street performers and even Tango hotels! Sunday in San Telmo’s Plaza Dorrego sees the most famous street market (antiques, tango paraphenalia, etc) here, along with the compulsory outdoor Tango dancers and singers. Adjoining Monserrat has similar architecture, and some of the most interesting churches in the city. However, these areas can be quite dangerous at night, and a little on the dirty side, so please bear that in mind before deciding on a hotel in this more ‘atmospheric’ part of town!

Well, those are the main areas to consider. There are others, but these are where most visitors will consider staying. Please leave a comment if you have any questions about these or other areas of BA. I hope you enjoy wherever you stay!