Buenos Aires is where cumbia digital started, and if you are in BA now, don’t miss a chance to see it where it all began.   ZIzek nights feature electronic music that can best be described as a mash up of cumbia with reggaeton, dancehall, hip-hop and any possible variation you can think of.    Think lots of hip-hop/reggaton samples, with that signature rolling cumbia rythm.  Nevertheless, as Cumbia Digital becomes more popular, more and more DJs are popping up around the world, which is leading to the mixing of new and different sounds and the evolution of a genre.   Zizek continues to push the boundaries of the music they started, and the style is now more of a mashup of traditional/indigenous music and rythms with electronic overlays and hip hop samples.

For more information, including music and future club nights, visit:   http://zzkrecords.com/

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Rock – some of the better (mainly) Argentine rock bands that are just breaking into the scene.   There are performances of all different styles of rock, including some music that is more pop and folk than rock.

Film – new and old “rockumentaries” and other documentaries about music.

Street Art – Some of Argentina’s best graffiti artists will be on display.

Fashion – fashion shows by talented young designers

Hip hop – some of the cities best hip hop and break-dancers dancers, along with emerging hip hop DJs.

Digital Art and animation – a variety of digital art and animation displays.

If you are at all interested in what they call cultura joven (young culture) in Argentina, this is a great chance to see it all in one place.  Without events such as Ciudad Emergente, this type of art and culture remains mostly underground and is only known about by those who are “part of the scene”.  This event gives you a chance to be part of it.

Ciudad Emergente is a FREE event that takes place over five days at the Centro Cultural de Recoleta.  For information and schedules, visit:  http://www.ciudademergente.gob.ar

When: June
Where: Recoleta Cultural Center
Why:  Your best chance to see all forms of Argentina’s rich, emerging cultural arts scene.

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The club is located on the Costanera Norte, slightly north of the Jorge Newberry airport.  It is a large, whitewashed building right by the water, with a great view of the rio de la plata.  On hot summer nights you can almost feel as though you’ve gone to Ibiza.

Pacha is three stories high, the first one being the largest, and is the main room where the headliner will play.  It has very high ceilings, lots of disco balls and lasers, and very good sound.  The second floor acts as a mezzanine, and overlooks the main floor.   It is more of a chill area, and has tables and a small bar.  The third floor is a separate room altogether, and is often used as a VIP lounge.  There is usually another DJ playing in this room, and outside of the room is a huge balcony with a great view of the river.  In the summer, on the patio off of the main floor there will often be a DJ spinning outside as well.

Pacha truly is the prime spot to see the world’s best international Djs.  Past shows include Dave Seaman, Christopher Lawrence, Nick Warren, John Acquaviva, John Creamer….the list goes on, and usually at least one month there is a performance by a very good international DJ.   The best night to go is Saturday nights, which is the only night that is always electronic music.  Fridays are usually some smaller party, often featuring some other type of music, and they only open the third floor.   It’s a totally different club on these nights, and not recommended if you’re looking for electronic music.

There is no dress code at Pacha, although shorts are rarely allowed (unless you’re female) and no flip flops (again, females can probably get away with it).  Dress is very informal, typically jeans and t-shirts, and lots of people wearing sunglasses.  The crowd is mainly late teens to early twenties, and for the most part, there is a good vibe in the club.

Pacha is one of the more expensive discos, with cover costing $40 pesos +, and highballs $25 +

Bottom Line: One of the top places in BA to hear the world’s best electronic music.   A very nice club, though gets a little overcrowded.

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The complex itself has quite the history. Early in the 18th century, the land was donated to the Franciscan Friars of Recoleta, who constructed a monastery, which they used until the 19th century. It’s function then changed numerous times. First as a drawing school founded by General Manuel Belgrano, then as a shelter for the poor. The complex then went through a number of changes brought about by first Mayor of Buenos Aires. In 1980, the final major renovation and building took place, which is when the complex as it is today was built.

Currently, the CCR is a maze of different rooms which are used to display a diverse selection of art, and at any one time you can see both national and international exhibits featuring paintings, sculptures, or photography. The styles of art can range significantly, though in general it is some form of contemporary art.

The center claims that art of all of the Argentina’s famous artists has at some point been featured in the CCR, both before and after they became recognized artists. One of the center’s goals is to find aspiring artists, and to give them their first big opportunity to show their work to the public.

The complex also has an auditorium where you can see some of Buenos Aires’ best independent theatre. Some amazing shows have been performed at the CCR, and prices are usually very reasonable. Outside of the interconnected rooms is a large terrace with a great view of Plaza Francia. This space is also used for events, both theatrical and musical.

Like most cultural centers, the CCR offers courses and workshops, as well as modern music investigation laboratory. For more information, visit: http://centroculturalrecoleta.org/ccr-sp/institucional/

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Buenos Aires Sightseeing Tours

Whether you’re walking, biking, or busing, there are plenty of options for Buenos Aires city tours. we recommend some of your options for seeing the sites of Buenos Aires.

Walking Tours in Buenos Aires

BA Free Tour
BA Free Tour offers two separate tours offered daily from Monday through Saturday. Tours are free, but this is slightly misleading as tips are expected. However, this will still be much cheaper than other tours available.

The tour guides are native Argentineans, and they are all trained in tourism. They are very knowledgeable about Buenos Aires, and although they are not native English speakers, they are able to express themselves cleanly. A great option for those who don´t want to spend the extra money for a premium tour.

More Info: http://www.bafreetour.com

Buenos Tours
Alan, an expat from the UK, started Buenos Tours a few years ago, and it has become one of the premium walking tours of Buenos Aires. Although one of the more expensive walking tours, they are some of the best, and all tour guides are very well informed and most importantly, native English speakers!

More info: http://www.buenostours.com

Wine Tours in Buenos Aires

Wine Tour Urbano
There aren´t many “wine tours” per say in Buenos Aires, although there are plenty of options for wine tastings. The closest you will find to a wine tour in the capital is called “Wine Tour Urbano.” Every season, they team up with different shops in one of Buenos Aires’ most popular neighborhoods (usually Palermo or San Telmo). You are given a glass, and go from shop to shop where they serve you different wines.

It is a fun, social event and will provide you a great opportunity to learn more about Argentine wine. The organizers speak English and Spanish, as do most of the shop owners.

For more information: http://www.winetoururbano.com.ar/

Buenos Aires Tours by Bus

Tourist Bus
Tour Buenos Aires in an open-topped double decker bus that stops at various points of interest in the city of Buenos Aires. Between stops, you can listen to information about the city as you pass by the city’s landmarks. You can get off the bus at any of their stops, and get back on any of the following buses, which come by every half hour.

This is a great way to see the city while learning more about it. The information about the landmarks isn´t as good as what you get on an organized tour, but still helps you gain a better understanding of Buenos Aires. It also makes it easy to get around to the different landmarks, without having to worry about taking taxis or buses.

You can buy tickets at any of the city’s tourism offices, online, or on the bus itself. It is an expensive service, but if you plan on going all over the city in one day, it is worth it, especially if you’re not comfortable taking a taxi.

More info: http://www.buenosairesbus.com/english/index_eng.htm

Tours of Attractions

Most of Buenos Aires’ major attractions offer tours, and there is nearly always an option for tours in English. The tours in English are often offered less frequently, and depending on the attraction, may not be available every day. To make things even more complicated, times and days that tours are offered are always changing….which is why you should contact the attractions in advance.

We recommend you do tours of the attractions as much as possible, especially for the cemetery, the MNBA, the MALBA. You will gain a far greater appreciation for them, and learn much more about Buenos Aires. A visit to these attractions without a tour is a totally different experience.

Buenos Aires Bike Tours

This is a great way to see a lot of Buenos Aires without ever taking a taxi or bus. There are plenty of places where you can rent bikes in BA, and most of these places offer organized bike tours of Buenos Aires.

La Bicicleta Naranja
They offer four different tours throughout the city, and if you prefer to go on your own, they have their own maps that they give out with suggested circuits. The also offer GPS service, which is great for those who don´t know their way around the city.

They have two rental locations, one in San Telmo and one in Palermo, meaning there is probably one close to you.

More info: http://www.labicicletanaranja.com.ar

biketours.com.ar
They offer a nice selection of tours, including a full day trip out to Tigre and San Isidro. They meet right by the San Martin statue in the Plaza San Martin, and provide you with everything you need, including rain wear and even a bottle of water.

Art Tours in Buenos Aires

Artists Atelier Tour
En exclusive tour that gives you the chance to meet some of Buenos Aires’ top contemporary artists, in their own studio.

The tour meets at the Galeria de Arte 5006, followed by a visit to 3 or 4 studios where you meet with the artists. Tours are never more than 10 people, meaning you can really meet and converse with the artists. After visiting the studios, the tour ends with a cocktail reception back at Galeria de Arte 5006.

The tour is one of the most expensive you will find ($100 US) but this can be used towards the purchase of art from the gallery.

More info: http://www.arttour.com.ar/

Graffiti Tours
If you are looking for something a little different, Graffiti Mundo offers street art tours, where they take you around Palermo and talk about the different works of Graffiti and the artists that put them there.

More info: http://graffitimundo.com

Self Guided Tours of Buenos Aires

If guided Buenos Aires day tours are not your thing, you may want to try some self guided tours.

BUE.gov.ar
The government of Buenos Aires Aires has put together 18 different circuits, accompanied by a small pintable guide with information about the points of interest. 12 of these circuits are supported by “cellphone audio guides.” This means you dial a number on your cellphone, and it will talk about the point of interest you select. If you have an ipod, you can download the audio information, and listen to the points of interest through your headphones.

Personalized Tours to Buenos Aires

Are you looking for someone to plan and arrange your trip for you? EntreArgentina is a tour company that organizes custom tours in Buenos Aires and throughout Argentina. The company is run by an Expat who has lived and explored Buenos Aires for two years, and they offer an on-call bilingual tour guide who can help you whenever you need it. They know the city inside and out, making this is a great option for those who want to organize the perfect trip to Argentina.
More info: Buenos Aires Tours

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1. Check with hostels – most hostels organize weekly soccer matches.  Even if you aren´t staying there, they are often looking for more players.   Stop in, check with the hostel for dates and times, and chances are you will be able to sign up to play.  Usually some of the staff plays as well, so you will be playing with foreigners and Argentines.
2. Organize your own – it is easy to organize your own soccer match.  Just like you, there are plenty of people looking to play more soccer, both travelers and Argentines alike.   Speak with your friends, find out who wants to play, and go ahead and book a court.  You will have to pay a deposit, and then the full amount on the actual day.  A soccer ball is provided, and most courts have change rooms and showers.  Peak times are from March to December, 8PM – 10PM, so don´t be surprised if you can´t book a court at those times.
3. Go to a court, ask to play – this is fairly common.  Head to a court nearby, and check out the games.  Teams are often looking for an extra player because one of theirs didn´t show up.  Make your move, then have fun showing them up on the pitch.
4. Make friends, and you will find soccer – many Argentines play soccer from time to time, if not weekly.  Once you start to make some friends, find out if they play soccer, and see if they need extra players.  Even if they have a complete team, there is always a need for backup players.
5. Join a club.  There are many clubs throughout the city, such as Club De Amigos and the Geba, that have their own courts and soccer leagues.  By joining the club, you are eligible to join the soccer leagues.
6. It’s easy to find teams to play soccer with in Buenos Aires.   All it takes is a little desire and a little initiative.

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Guided tours are offered in English from Tuesday through Sunday.   For more information, visit: http://museoevita.org/en/

There is also a restaurant/café with a really nice café, perfect for a sit-down after going through the museum.

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The complex has a few smaller theatres, a large covered open room, a small café, and a large outdoor space.  Konex’s most popular gig, La Bomba del Tiempo, is a percussion performance every Monday night, and always attracts a huge crowd of both Argentines and tourists.  However, Konex is much more than just La Bomba. They are consistently attracting talented local bands who play regularly, such as Onda Vaga, Dancing Mood, Babel Orkestra and Él Mató a un Policía Motorizado.  Every week there is at least one band that is worth seeing, and the styles range from folk to Argentine rock.

Konex also puts on great theatrical performances.  They are mainly small shows by independent theatre groups, and are usually very well done.  Some larger mainstream theatre can also be seen at Konex, such as Rent, which was performed two years ago.

The center also has various options for children, ranging from theatre to outdoor movie during the summer, where only the children are allowed to enter.

What really defines Konex and sets them apart from other cultural centers is the variety of unique, and very good, events they have.  Past events such as La Batalla (a Swing music performance followed by dancing lessons and then a dance) or Fiesta Acapulco (a beach party, even though there is no beach) are great examples of these and the center’s dedication to offering fun, innovative nights.

For shows and event information, visit: http://www.ciudadculturalkonex.org

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Yoga is very popular in Buenos Aires, and if you’re looking for somewhere near you to practice, it shouldn’t be hard to find.  The most popular forms of yoga in BA are Ashtanga and Hatha Yoga, so these are usually what you will find in the classes at the gym and also at the yoga studios.  Depending on the teachers, it may be a mix of both, and could also include other types of yoga.

Here is a list of some great yoga studios in different parts of Buenos Aires.  All four have a great vibe and excellent teachers.

Happy Sun Yoga

A small yoga studio with a great vibe located right by the Alto Palermo shopping mall.   The room is small and classes are never more than 10 people, providing a comfortable, intimate atmosphere perfect for practicing yoga.  They also offer reiki and massage therapy, and from time to time have yoga workshops.

All classes are in English, mats straps and blocks are provided.   For information on classes, location, and prices:  http://www.happysunyoga.com/

Buena Onda Yoga

Buena Onda has expanded to four different locations (Belgrano, Palermo, San Telmo, and Recoleta) meaning there is probably one near you.  They have 5 different instructors teaching a mix of Vinyasa and Iyengar yoga.  They have recently started a monthly Moonlight Yoga event, which combines yoga, vegetarian cuisine, massage and live music for a night of buena onda!

All classes are in English, mats straps and blocks are provided.   For information on classes, location, and prices:  http://buenaondayoga.wordpress.com

Bikram Yoga

Bikram yoga has finally arrived in Buenos Aires.   The studio is located on Av. Las Heras, right across from the park.  There are classes in English and Spanish, but all teachers speak both languages, meaning you can attend any of the classes (although if you have never been, it is recommended you attend a few classes first in English).

The teachers are excellent and the vibe is always very friendly and welcoming.  One of the great things about the Bikram Yoga in Buenos Aires is that the building is only used for Bikram Yoga, and no other events.  It creates a great atmosphere, where people can relax and hang out after class.

They also have mens and womens changerooms with showers, small lockers for personal belongings and a spot where you can leave your mats.

Mats and towels can be rented.  For information on classes, location, and prices: http://byba.com.ar/

Yoga with Juan Laso

If you would like to try yoga in Spanish, Juan Laso does classes in Palermo Holleywood at a small studio.  He has been teaching Yoga since 2004, and teaches both ashtanga or hatha yoga, depending on the class.  He is an amazing yoga teacher, very chill and he brings a great calming presence to the classes.  The classes are only taught in Spanish and he does not speak much English.

Mats are provided if you do not have your own, but you are expected to bring your own mats if you go to class regularly.  For information on classes, location, and prices:  http://www.juanlaso.com.ar

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In addition to art, there are also various theatrical productions that you can see at the center.  These shows vary anywhere from theatre to music to dancing, and often revolve around Tango.

If you are interested in learning more about art through courses, this cultural center has one of the large selections of courses and workshop offered to the public.  They have workshops on theatre, art, dancing, cinema, and literature among others.

A list of these workshops, as well as the current exhibitions on display, can be found at http://www.ccborges.org.ar/ It is located attached to the Galerias Pacificas, right in the microcentro of Buenos Aires.

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