For a vibrant, bohemian neighbourhood in Buenos Aires, La Boca is the barrio to visit. Located in the southeast of the city, this historic and colourful working class area sits at the mouth (la boca) of the Richuelo River near the old port and is the site of many popular attractions and historic events.
The sight most visitors flock to in La Boca is the colourful Calle Museo Caminito, meaning 'little walkway', which is an outdoor museum teeming with tango dancers, street performers, artisans and tourists. The street is the canvas of local artist Benito Quinquela Martin who painted the walls of an abandoned street and constructed a crude stage for performances in 1960. The area soon became a magnet for artists and performers and retains a certain charm with cobblestone streets, colourful corrugated-iron houses (coventillos) and artists' studios. Another major drawcard is the La Bombonera football stadium, which is home to the world-famous Boca Juniors club. The blue and gold colours of the club, the former team of Diego Maradona, are on show at the massive stadium where the Argentines' passion for the game knows no bounds. Consider attending a game or taking a tour of the stadium for an insight into the fútbol fervour.
Other attractions in La Boca include the historic El Zanjón de Granados house built on a small river in 1536. During renovations, tunnels, past foundations and pottery and a vast network of tunnels were found under the house. The site is now a private museum and well worth a look for a potted history of the capital through the tunnels and red-brick edifice. Tours are ARS60 on weekdays and ARS30 on Sundays. The Tower of the Ghost (La Torre de Fantasma) is a striking Catalan Modernism-style building constructed in 1910 on Avenidas Almirante Brown and Wenceslao Villafañe. The haunted building draws visitors is search of the spirit of a painter who resided there.
To visit, buses 10, 24, 29, 39, 64 and 70 go to La Boca from central Buenos Aires and take between 30 to 60 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a 20-minute taxi ride to La Boca.
