Buenos Aires: Why Go?

For many travelers, Buenos Aires is Latin America's premier city. And after experiencing its architectural richness, sprawling sidewalk cafes, excellent cuisine and leafy boulevards, it's easy to agree.

The city center has sprung back to life as the economy steadily recovers from the crisis of 2001-2002. The shops and restaurants are doing brisk business, and the streets are again a blur of pedestrians going about their daily lives.

With 11 million people (about 30% of the country) living in the greater metro area, Buenos Aires (BA) is a serious urban sprawl, and city lovers might easily spend their entire trip exploring its nooks and crannies. Fortunately, the city center is fairly compact, and most points of interest can be reached by foot or short taxi ride.