Return to Buenos Aires

Our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture and customs. Below are some of our recommended highlights. Some tours and packages can be organized when booking your program, please see the program price page for more information.

city tour
Many people regard Buenos Aires as Latin American's cultural capirtal. Its flavors, smells, traditions, endless entertainment, soccer, and residents have charmed all those who have ever set foot in this enchanting city. Part of what is magical about Buenos Aires is that it contains a touch of all the world's large cities, reminding visitors of home wherever they are from.

Two afternoons a week you will have the opportunity to attend an excursion that usually last about three hours, and is guided by one of our Spanish teachers. These outings give you a chance to practice your Spanish and to learn more about Buenos Aires and Argentina. Although excursions are provided as a courtesy, students are expected to pay for their own public transportation costs and entrance fees to museums. Occasionally a day trip is arranged that will replace classes (upon student request only).

recoleta
Some say that this neighborhood is a piece of Paris in Buenos Aires. Recoleta is a beautiful place to walk, where tourists will find many upscale stores, restaurants and boutiques. It is one of Buenos Aires' most visited cultural quarters. It is famous for its French style buildings, large parks, the National Museum of Fine Arts, and aristocratic bars, plus the craft fairs held every Sunday in Recoleta's "Plaza Francia". One of the most spectacular sights in Recoleta is the "Recoleta" cemetery, one of the oldest in Argentina. There one can find the impressive tombs of national heroes, former presidents, and the world famous Eva Peron, better known as Evita.

rosedal
This is one of our most popular excursions for all those students who enjoy being outdoors. The Rosedal is Buenos Aires' most famous and most visited park. The excursion begins with a picnic where the students and their Spanish teacher enjoy a bit of fresh air. After lunch students relax and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the park and appreciate its bridges, piers, ponds, impressive sculptures, and abundant vegetation. Another option for those who would like to do a bit more then walk is to rent bikes or participate in one of the park's free aerobics classes. It is really a great way to spend an afternoon.

san telmo
San Telmo was home to many aristocratic families until the yellow fever epidemic of 1871. After the epidemic many of the areas beautiful homes were taken over by families of squatters and became "conventillos". It wasn't until 1970 that the "conventillos" began to be remodeled and considered valuable pieces of architecture. In addition to a walking tour of this neighborhood, students enjoy visiting the local antique shops and the San Telmo Market, where both expensive and inexpensive antiques can be found, as well as artwork and crafts made by local street artists.

la boca
This neighborhood was built by poor immigrants who worked at low paying jobs in the meat salting houses, stores, and lumber yards of Buenos Aires. Due to the poverty of the area these immigrants had to resort to painting their homes with assorted colors of leftover paint. These colorful houses characterize the neighborhood of La Boca, and are one of the reasons that it is now one of Buenos Aires' most visited neighborhoods. An Argentine passion that also distinguishes La Boca is the country's most popular soccer team, the Boca Juniors, and its stadium La Bombonera.

casa rosada
This has been the home of the National Government since 1810. It is entirely painted in pink to represent the union of two political sectors, the Federalist and the Unitarians. On the day that you visit, you may find the Argentinean flag flying from one of its towers, signifying that the President is in the building.

tigre
A pleasant sojourn from the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires and a popular weekend jaunt for Porteños, Tigre, a pretty town set on an island in the Parana Delta, is just 30km (19 miles) away. The focus of activity in the town is found at the River Terminal – the Estacion Fluvial – when the boats are being loaded. Those wanting an adrenaline rush will not be disappointed by Parque de la Costa. With its aquatic rollercoasters, amusements and fun-fair rides, it is one of the largest amusement parks in Latin America. Only a few blocks away from the station is the daily Puerto de Frutos (fruit market). These days, fruit cultivation has declined in importance so the main products to purchase at the weekend are the wicker handicrafts. The town’s elegance has somewhat faded but the area is an idyllic one for some exploration on foot. Pedestrians can watch the rowers glide along the waters or watch the waterway Regattas during March and November. Trains leave from Buenos Aires’s Retiro Station (Linea Mitre) regularly and the journey takes one hour.

lújan
Commonly known as Argentina’s holy city, Lújan is another favourite weekend retreat for the Portenos. Just 69 kilometres (43 miles) west of Buenos Aires, it is primarily a place of pilgrimage and many arrive at the place specifically to explore the grand neo-Gothic Basilica Nuestra Senora de Lújan together with the statue of the Virgin of Lújan – Argentina’s patron saint. The building’s interior is a hive of pilgrim activity and there are countless religious masses to cater for the crowds. People arrive in the hope of salvation and cures and the priests openly and expectantly wait for the confessors. The statue of the Virgin came to live in Lújan when it was being moved between churches by cart in 1630. The cart got stuck and couldn’t be moved, which was taken as a sign that the Virgin should stay – and the whole town has grown around it.

Also deserving of a look is the Complejo Museografico Enrique Udaondo. Covering the tale of the Virgin and the history of Estancias, Gauchos and Indians, in addition to the country’s history, it has to be one of the most extensive museums in Argentina. A visit to Lújan, however, does not have to be a pilgrimage and it is possible to just savour the town – wander the streets, opt for a relaxing boat ride or wile away the time in the plentiful outdoor restaurants. On 5 October, a major pilgrimage takes place when nearly a million people walk here from Buenos Aires.

nightlife
Buenos Aires’s nightlife is one of the most active in the world. Nightlife means exactly what it says with the young and wealthy Porteños usually only embarking on their evening’s entertainment at 2200 with a meal. After satisfying an appetite, they’ll wile away a few hours in a bar or confiteria and won’t even contemplate entering a club until 2am when partying will just be warming up. The streets are as busy in the early hours of the morning as they are during the day but the atmosphere is always relaxed and sociable. Drunkenness among the locals is almost unheard of as the Porteños only consume moderate amounts of alcohol. Dress is smart, but the extent of the formality depends on the club and he area. Students, the young and the wealthy head for Costanera Norte and Las Cantinas in Palmero while trend-setters hone in on the streets surrounding 25 de Mayo and Reconquista as well as El Bajo. San Telmo is also a popular focal point.

9 de julio
This is the world's widest street, crossing Buenos Aires from north to south. The name of the avenue celebrates the Argentinean Independence Day. The avenue is divided by the Obelisk, one of the most important symbols of Buenos Aires. This monument was built in the 30's to celebrate the city's 400th anniversary. Just the act of crossing this street can be a real adventure.

puerto madero
This is a typical port in Buenos Aires that has seen its old brick warehouses converted into first-rate restaurants, universities, movie theaters and offices. It is now Buenos Aires' newest, most exclusive, and fastest growing district. Puerto Madero is a "not to be missed" stop for visitors.

excursions

carilo
The enchantment of Carilo comes from both the serenity of its forests, and the sun and sand of its beaches. With its pure air, amazing architecture and over 300-meter wide beaches, it is one of Argentinas most visited places on the Atlantic Coast. Carilo is also known for its beautiful shops and cafes, hidden inside its woods