The Ultimate Buenos Aires Guide: What To Do, Where To Eat, Where To Go

With constant comparisons to world capitals like Paris and New York, Buenos Aires has established itself as a cosmopolitan destination for those traveling to South America. As such, it can be hard for certain travelers—especially those with a tight budget—to know where exactly to go if pressed for time.

Fortunately, having spent almost a week there myself, I can at least give some ideas and tips for how to have a blast without blowing your budget. You might only scratch the surface of all of Buenos Aires's complexities—I feel all good cities need at least a couple months before you really feel like you get to know them, anyway—but at least you'll come out of your experience with the feeling of having done something worthwhile.

Dining: Argentina is known for its ridiculously good meat, and any local will tell you his or her favorite place to go to indulge. I ended up trying El Desnivel (Defensa 855) in San Telmo, which offers an authentic (if rather bare-boned) meal for a reasonable price. If you don't quite feel like a steak dinner, try heading to Filo (San Martín 975) in the city center for an amazing meal (think thin, crispy pizzas, delicious pastas, and huge salads). For lunch, the options are endless. I particularly enjoyed Plaza Asturias (corner of Ave. de Mayo y Libertad), which is packed during lunch time (always at 2pm—don't eat any earlier) and is favored by locals. I also liked El Preferido de Palermo (corner of Borges & Guatemala) in Palermo Viejo, which has wonderful outdoor seating. However, if a sit-down lunch isn't something you're into, head to a local grocery store and stock up on fruit (so cheap and so delicious) and grab a couple empanadas on your way out.

Sights/Activities: Try to check out the neighborhoods, particularly San Telmo, Palermo Viejo, and Recoleta, which will give you a well-rounded idea of the many facets of the city. In San Telmo, enjoy the cobblestone streets and quaint architecture. In Palermo Viejo, check out the shopping and wander around both the parks and the tree-lined streets. In Recoleta, make sure to go to the iconic graveyard (absolutely incredible; make sure to check out Evita's grave) and check out the ritzy neighborhood. Also try to check out the super cheesy, super touristy (but still really, really cool) El Caminito in La Boca. Please be careful, though: it's not wise to wander off El Caminito. Either take a cab there or catch the 64 bus.

There are other major monuments in the city, like El Colom (in Plaza de la República), which spikes up imposingly in the city center, or Plaza de Mayo, which houses La Catedral, that are also worth checking out. On Sundays, there is the famous San Telmo flea market, where you can find all sorts of treasures. And be sure to check out the cafés, which are an integral part to life in Buenos Aires. The most iconic is Café Tortoni (Av. de Mayo 829), but be prepared to wait in line outside.

Nightlife: Now for the part you really care about. Buenos Aires is filled with fantastic bars (two of my favorites include Le Cigale (25 de Mayo 722) and Gran Bar Danzón (Libertad 1161)), but they will mostly be empty until 11pm or midnight, while everyone is finishing up with dinner. Clubs are an integral part of the nightlife experience, so around 2am the bars will empty in a mass exodus for the dance floor. Like in any other part of the world, the newest, "hottest" club changes almost constantly, so make sure you get a recommendation for where to go. Another fantastic option is partying with your hostel (needless to say, Milhouse Avenue had some crazy parties), which is a great way to meet people, even though it does resemble a frat house with all the plastic cups and cheap drinks.

If you're not into that scene, try heading out for a truly old-school experience: tango. You can either go the provincial route and schedule a tango show (which tend to cost around $200 pesos and include a tango show, dinner, and drinks) or you can head to a milonga. I chose the latter and ended up at Confitería Ideal (Suipacha 380), which for $80 pesos gave me a rudimentary lesson and the chance to witness (and attempt to participate in) a truly authentic tango experience. Watching the dancers is mesmerizing and will inspire even those who claim that tango is "not their thing."