10 Things to Do in Buenos Aires in January

Buenos Aires is one of Latin America's most vibrant and lively capitals. And January is an ideal month to visit the city, as many of its inhabitants travel for the holidays and the city is quieter than the rest of the year.

In this month there are several events that will allow you to immerse yourself in its culture and gastronomy. There are many things to see and do in Buenos Aires in January, and I will tell you about them in this article.

January is a summer holiday month in Argentina when many of the inhabitants of Buenos Aires travel to other tourist destinations, so it is a quieter month to see the best tango shows in Buenos Aires and not run out of room. Some of the best are:

• The tango show at Esquina Homero Manzi - from £35.
• The tango show at Café de los Angelitos - from £83.

You can also go beyond being a mere spectator by signing up for a private tango lesson in Buenos Aires. Classes are adapted to the level of the participants and last approximately one hour, all of which take place in a professional dance studio.

One of the best excursions from Buenos Aires is the tour around the islands of the Delta del Tigre, the fifth largest delta in the world and home to an enormous biodiversity. Visiting in January is ideal, not only because of the warm weather, but also because of the many activities and events that take place during the summer season.

When visiting the Delta del Tigre, apart from taking a dip, you can also visit the famous Delta river station and enjoy some delicious food and local drinks. In the Delta you can also go hiking and see the native flora and fauna, or spend the day at a beach resort.

The options for touring the Delta on the waters are very varied, and you can either go on your own or hire a tour, so I recommend that you evaluate which one best suits your preferences.

As it is emptier in January, it is also the ideal time to enjoy its main tourist sites in a more relaxed way and without crowds of people.

In order not to miss anything, you can take a tour of Buenos Aires. It's a quick and inexpensive way to get to know the main attractions of the capital and start to get your bearings.

What a Buenos Aires tour includes

Buenos Aires tours usually include, among others, the following sites:

• Plaza de Mayo: the historical and political heart of the city, where you can admire the emblematic Casa Rosada and learn about its history.
• The San Telmo neighbourhood: known for its colonial architecture, narrow cobbled streets and vibrant bohemian atmosphere. This is where the Feria de San Telmo, a famous antiques and handicrafts market, is held.
• La Boca neighbourhood: home to the Boca Juniors football stadium, which locals call La Bombonera, and the picturesque Caminito street, known for its colourful houses and street art.

The Centro Cultural Recoleta vibrates every summer with a wide variety of activities and events that allow you to enjoy the season to the fullest. And every January, the Amor de Verano cycle, a cultural event that celebrates the love and joy of the season, gets underway.

During this event, a wide variety of activities are offered for all ages, from live concerts and theatre performances to art and literature workshops. Many of these shows take place on the terrace of the cultural centre, taking advantage of the cooler weather.

In addition to all these activities, it also offers free guided tours that will allow you to learn more about the history and architecture of the building and the neighbourhood. And if you want more, the Recoleta Cemetery, one of the places in the city that most captivates visitors, is very close by.

More information about the cemetery

• Location: Junín 1930, C1113 CABA.
• Price: free admission.

Puerto Madero is one of the most modern and exclusive neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires, and an excellent option to stroll around and enjoy its modern architecture and green spaces. During this month the city is in the middle of summer (which is very hot in the city), so it is an ideal place to cool off with the breeze from the coast of the Río de la Plata.

One of the most popular places to visit in Puerto Madero is the Puente de la Mujer, a pedestrian bridge that is an icon of the neighbourhood and offers beautiful views of the river and the city. Cultural and artistic events are held nearby in January, and there are many restaurants with a varied offer.

Another place you can't miss is the Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur, a huge green area next to the Río de la Plata. The reserve is home to a wide variety of native animals and plants and is an ideal place for a walk or a picnic. In January, the reserve is in full bloom and you can enjoy nature in all its splendour.

In January, the hottest month in the city, you can take a lot of boat tours on the Río de la Plata, which are ideal to enjoy the most beautiful views.

This tour will allow you to observe the contrast between the green spaces such as the Ecological Reserve and the skyscrapers of the big city.

Besides, during the tour the guides will tell you the history of the monuments and the most emblematic buildings of Buenos Aires that you can see from the boat. It is an ideal tour to refresh yourself with the breeze of the river, under a clear sky and with a panoramic view of the coast of the city.

More info

• Location: many of the boat tours depart from Puerto Madero, which is located to the west of the city.
• Price of the tours: between €30 and €50 approximately. Some include an open bar.
• Recommendations: it is recommended to book the boat tours in advance on the official tourism website of the city of Buenos Aires.

The Usina del Arte, located in the neighbourhood of La Boca, is one of the most important cultural centres in Buenos Aires.

In January, several very interesting events take place there, the most awaited one being the concerts of the winners of Experiencia Emergente, a contest aimed at promoting emerging artists in different cultural disciplines.

After the concerts of the winning bands, renowned musicians of the city perform the closing of the festival. However, there are other outstanding activities in this cultural centre, such as the alleres for children and young people.

Further information

• Location: Agustín R. Caffarena 1, CABA. La Boca neighbourhood.
• It stands out for its impressive architecture that combines industrial elements with artistic details.

The Rosedal in Buenos Aires is a classic not to be missed during your stay in the city. It is a beautiful park with more than 100 species of roses, perfect for strolling and taking pictures. Besides, in the month of January it becomes a stage to enjoy the open-air cinema.

The films shown cover a wide variety of genres. It is an ideal proposal to enjoy with friends, family, or even for a romantic date. They also usually show animated films for the little ones, so it is a great proposal if you are visiting Buenos Aires with children.

The experience of watching movies is enriched by the natural environment of the Rose Garden, with its roses and beautiful gardens. You can go by car, or you can bring a blanket and sit on the ground. You'll also be able to buy food from some of the food trucks that are set up there, so you have no excuse to miss out!

More info

• Location: Libertador Av. and Sarmiento Av. Palermo neighbourhood, CABA (the internal streets are Pedro Montt, Iraola and Infanta Isabel).
• Price: free admission.

It is well known that Buenos Aires is diverse and multicultural, that is why festivities from all over the world are celebrated and traditions from different origins coexist. And since the 1980s, every January, in different squares of the city, the Fiesta de la Alasita, a traditional Bolivian festival, has been held.

The Fiesta de la Alasita is a very lively and colourful event held in honour of the Andean god Ekeko, to attract prosperity and good luck. There are live music and dance performances, and typical Bolivian food, which add to the effervescent atmosphere of the fair.

Here you will find the famous amulets fair, where you can buy alasitas, miniatures that represent the different household objects that people wish to attract, such as money, houses and cars, among others. If you buy one, you can bless it and entrust it to Ekeko to ensure good fortune.

Buenos Aires' Chinatown is a popular tourist destination in the city, especially during the Chinese New Year celebrations that take place every year between January and February in Buenos Aires.

It has a large number of shops, restaurants and temples that offer an authentic experience of Asian culture.

During the Chinese New Year festivities, the neighbourhood is filled with colours, music, dances and parades that attract visitors from all over the world. It is a great opportunity to try typical Chinese food, buy Chinese products in the shops and enjoy the music and street festivities. The most important of these is the Dragon Dance.

For more information, please visit

• Location: Arribeños 2100, Belgrano, CABA.