Why stay in Buenos Aires?

photo: Stuck in Customs
There are quite a few hostels in Buenos Aires, which is good news for anyone on a budget. No longer geared only for young travelers, hostels offer some of the best opportunities to get a flavor of a place without breaking the bank. There are certainly party hostels in pretty much every city, but some are run more like boutique hotels than anything else. Some of the more notable Buenos Aires hostels are:
- Milhouse Hostel - This centrally-located hostel is a favorite with backpackers for its party atmosphere. Its popularity means that it books up well in advance, so if you're looking for party central, don't wait too long to book the Milhouse.
- Hostel Estoril - Estoril is within easy walking distance of the main attractions in Buenos Aires, and has a real family atmosphere. You can meet up with other like-minded travelers to head out for a night's dancing, or you can relax at the hostel. The owners live on site and breakfast is included with the price.
- La Menesunda Hostel - This hostel sits in the heart of the district of tango - you'll hear its inviting music on every street. With a stay of six nights you get a free tour of the city.
- Portal del Sur - In a renovated 17th century building, this hostel boasts a great city view from its upper floors. The hostel has its own bar and lounge as well as spa services. You can even take free Spanish and tango lessons right in the hostel.
Buenos Aires is more than just the capital of Argentina - it's one of the largest cities in Latin America, with a distinct flavor that keeps people coming back. When you think of Buenos Aires, you might think of tango and Eva Peron - and both figure heavily into the city's character. As with any large city, however, there is oh, so much more to the culture of Buenos Aires than that. In fact, many visitors might find the city more European-feeling than South American.
Buenos Aires has a fantastic cafe culture and plenty of beautiful architecture to gaze at as you promenade the city's lovely streets. There are also plenty of green spaces, even in this clustered urban environment, where you can relax with a bike ride or a paddle around a lake. Even if you're not generally a cemetery enthusiast, you might want to visit the Cementerio de la Recoleta - these wealthy folks certainly weren't shy about letting people know they had money. Eva Peron is buried here, but hers isn't the only interesting grave in the cemetery - only the most visited. Buenos Aires is also a remarkably tolerant city, with one of the largest homosexual communities in Latin America. Perhaps the best news about this city is that its main attractions are easily navigable on foot.
If you're still planning your trip, search for cheap airfare to Buenos Aires and read more about what to do and see in the city in our Buenos Aires Travel Guide.