Argentina Tours & Travel | The Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires: Puerto Madero
East of downtown and north of San Telmo and La Boca is the dockside neighborhood of Puerto Madero. It stretches along the dikes of the Rio de La Plata that separates Argentina from Uruguay. Though one of the city's oldest neighborhoods, it has become one of the trendiest. Puerto Madero is predominated by brick warehouses that have been converted into mixed-use buildings containing upscale view residential lofts, restaurants, offices and art galleries. Among the neighborhood's five-star hotels for visitors on Argentina tours is Faena Hotel + Universe, designed by renowned French architect Philippe Starck. Pleasant walkways make the neighborhood a pedestrian-friendly destination to visit when you travel to Argentina.
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Across the dikes is an 864-acre ecological reserve (Reserva Ecologica Costanera Sur) where the ill-fated military junta of the seventies once envisioned building a new portside city but only got as far as stockpiling the river sediment on which to build. What humans couldn't accomplish was handed over to marsh-loving wildlife, including 200 species of birds. In 1986, the area was declared a reserve that has become a popular weekend destination for birdwatchers, as well as hiking and bicycling enthusiasts on Argentina tours.
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Some of the neighborhood's attractions float. These include the Frigata Sarmiento and Corbeta Uruguay museums, both national historic monuments, and the Floating Casino of Buenos Aires where visitors on Argentina tours may spend what's left of their money after dining in one of Puerto Madero's many fine restaurants.
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The white, sleekly-designed "Women's Bridge" traverses the dikes and opens for passing ships by swiveling to a position that parallels the shore. All of the neighborhood's streets are named for females as well. From Puerto Madero, ferries depart for different cities across the water in Uruguay
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Except for strolling along the docks, memorable meals served outside (weather permitting), there is less for travelers on Argentina tours to do here than in the other major neighborhoods. The tango salon, Tango Madero, albeit expensive, offers an authentic tango show with dinner.
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Looking toward the city, you'll see Luna Park in the distance, the famous old boxing stadium where major sporting and cultural events are held. Those who travel to Argentina will learn it was the scene of some historic events including where soccer superstar Diego Maradona was married, where a wake was held to mourn the death of dreamboat tango singer, Carlos Gardel, and where the Evita legend was born when Eva met Juan.