10 Things to Do in Buenos Aires in January
Discover the best activities to enjoy Buenos Aires in January. From cultural events to outdoor options for you to live an unforgettable experience in the Argentine capital.
Buenos Aires is one of the most vibrant and lively capitals in Latin America. And January is an ideal month to visit this city, as many of its inhabitants travel for the vacations 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.
1. Experience tango in Buenos Aires
January is a summer vacation month in Argentina when many of the people 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 $44
- The tango show at Café de los Angelitos - from $104.
In addition, you can 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 them taking place in a professional dance studio.
2. Connect with the nature of the Delta
One of the best excursions from Buenos Aires is the tour of the islands of the Tigre Delta, 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, besides taking a dip, you can 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 by water 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.
3. Tour the heart of Buenos Aires
Being 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.
To not miss anything, you can take a tour of Buenos Aires. It is a quick and inexpensive way to get to know the main attractions of the capital and start to get your bearings.
What is included in a Buenos Aires tour
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.
- San Telmo neighborhood: known for its colonial architecture, narrow cobblestone streets and vibrant bohemian atmosphere. This is where the Feria de San Telmo, a famous antiques and handicrafts market, is held.
- La Boca neighborhood: home to the Boca Juniors soccer stadium, which locals call La Bombonera, and the picturesque Caminito street, known for its colorful houses and street art.
4. Attend the Amor de Verano (Summer Love) cycle
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 (Summer Love) cycle gets underway, a cultural event that celebrates the love and joy of the season.
During this event, a wide variety of activities are offered for all ages, from live concerts and theater performances to art and literature workshops. Many of these shows take place on the terrace of the cultural center, 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 neighborhood. And if you want more, nearby is the Recoleta Cemetery, one of the places in the city that most captivates visitors.
More information about the cemetery
- Location: Junín 1930, C1113 CABA.
- Price: free admission.
5. Enjoy the summer breeze in Puerto Madero
Puerto Madero is one of the most modern and exclusive neighborhoods 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 Rio 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 neighborhood 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 great 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 splendor.
6. Discover Buenos Aires on the river
In January, the hottest month in this city, you can take a lot of boat tours on the Rio 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.
In addition, during the tour the guides will tell you the history of the monuments and the most emblematic buildings of Buenos Aires that can be seen 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 city's coastline.
More information about this tour
- Location: many of the boat tours depart from Puerto Madero, which is located 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.
7. Listen to emerging artists
The Usina del Arte, located in the neighborhood of La Boca, is one of the most important cultural centers in Buenos Aires.
During the month of January, several interesting events take place there, the most awaited 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 close the event with a celebration. However, there are other outstanding activities at this cultural center, such as workshops for children and young people.
More information
- Location: Agustín R. Caffarena 1, CABA. La Boca neighborhood.
- It stands out for its impressive architecture that combines industrial elements with artistic details.
8. Get to know the Rosedal and its open-air cinema season
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. In addition, in the month of January it becomes a stage to enjoy outdoor 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 movies for the little ones, so it is a great proposal if you visit Buenos Aires with children.
The experience of watching movies is enriched by the natural environment of the Rosedal, with its roses and beautiful gardens. You can go by car, or you can bring a blanket and sit on the ground. In addition, you will be able to buy food in some of the food trucks that are installed. You have no excuse to miss this proposal!
More information about the event
- Location: Libertador Av. and Sarmiento Av. Palermo neighborhood, CABA (the internal streets are Pedro Montt, Iraola and Infanta Isabel).
- Price: free admission.
9. Celebrate the lively Alasita festival
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 80's, every January, in different squares of the city, the Fiesta de la Alasita, a festival of Bolivian tradition, is held.
The Fiesta de la Alasita is a very lively and colorful event that is celebrated in honor 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 amulet 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.
10. Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Chinatown
Buenos Aires' Chinatown is a very 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 stores, restaurants and temples that offer an authentic experience of Asian culture.
During the Chinese New Year festivities, the neighborhood is filled with colors, music, dances and parades that attract visitors from all over the world. It is a great opportunity to taste typical Chinese food, buy Chinese products in the stores and enjoy the music and street festivities. Among these, the most important is the Dragon Dance.
More information
- Location: Arribeños 2100, Belgrano, CABA.