Buenos Aires Free Tour - City Walk Buenos Aires - Argentina

New to Buenos Aires and don’t know where to start? The offerings of city tours are overwhelming, but there’s only one that really caters to the budget traveler. However, it is not just the price – or lack thereof – that distinguishes BA Free Tour. Founded by a group of locals, the BA Free Tour will walk you to the essential historical and cultural sights, on the way uncovering insider secrets that a conventional bus tour can’t reach. The mission is to share the city with everyone, and thus adapt to everybody’s budget; there is no cost but tips are sincerely appreciated. The tour guides are “young Buenos Aires lovers,” knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their city, even when it is raining! Maca, one of the guides, was especially eager to respond to our specific interests, whether we were looking for a better deal on cinema ticket prices or simply needed to use a bathroom in the middle of the tour. BA Free Tour offers two city walks, one at 11 a.m. and one at 5 p.m, Monday through Saturday. Additional tours, including visits to the Mataderos Fair, the Soccer Stadium, as well as private tours, can also be arranged. At the meeting point, you will recognize the tour guide by his/her green sweater with “BA Free Tour” written on the back. The morning city tour explores the downtown area (Obelisco, Av. de Mayo, Plaza de Mayo, Congreso, Tribunales, Casa Rosada, Av. 9 de Julio, Av. Corrientes, Calle Florida, Manzana de las Luces, Catedral, Estación Peru, Teatro Colón; total time about 2.5 hours). The morning tour ends at the Obelisk at lunch time, ask your tour guide for recommendations on where to grab a bite near here. The afternoon walk will take you through the aristocratic neighborhoods (Retiro, Plaza San Martín, Monumento a Malvinas, Torre Monumental, Av. Alvear, Iglesia del Pilar, Cementerio de la Recoleta, Plaza Francia, Av. 9 de Julio; total time about 3 hours). The afternoon tour ends at Plaza Francia in Recoleta. Here, you can also visit the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, the BA Design Museum or the Recoleta Cemetery (follow everyone else to reach Eva Perón`s tomb). Numerous cafés and restaurants border the Plaza and you may also want to come back on a weekend for the Recoleta Market. If you’re fit, you can do both in the same day; the tours complement each other perfectly. Just make sure to recharge somewhere for lunch in between; if in doubt, ask your tour guide about eateries that suit your budget. Whether you do one or both tours, dress for walking. You won’t get the fancy double-decker bus treatment, but you will walk away with an overview of BA enriched by local secrets that no audio guide can rival.

Location:
JM Gutiérrez 2668, Capital Federal (1425 AQD) Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina

City Walk Types:
City tour

Getting There
Morning tour: 11 AM @ Rivadavia Ave and Rodriguez Peña st. Nearest Subte Stop: Congreso (Linea A) Afternoon tour: 5 PM @ Santa fe Ave and Maipu st. besides the monument. Nearest Subte Stop: General San Martín (Linea C)

Travel Tips: Dress for walking! The morning tour lasts 2.5 hours and the afternoon tour is 3 hours. Bring a camera if you like, just make sure to keep it in sight in crowded areas, especially Florida Street. This goes for your belongings in general - people around you will know that you are a tourist.

Price Description: Technically, nothing! The tour is entirely free. Tips are, however, appreciated.

Relative price: Budget

Open Hours from:Tours run at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Travel Skills: beginner/easy.

Currencies accepted
Argentine Peso, US dollar, Euro

Contact Information:
Phone: +54911.6395.3000
E-mail: info(at)remove-this.bafreetour.com
URL: www.bafreetour.com

About this Page

By I.Bohrer

Updated: 23 Sep 2009