Description: This compact pedestrian-only alleyway is a magnet for tourists. Definitely one of the most touristy & colorful tourist spots in Buenos Aires, try to get there early in the day to avoid the crowds. The Caminito is located in La Boca, a port area that attracted Italian immigrants, along with sailors & prostitutes. It is said the tango was born here among these working-class people in the late 19th century. Once a rundown barrio, a local artist turned this small area of La Boca into a tourist magnet by using the old buildings as a massive outdoor canvas. The wood & corrugated-tin tenement houses w/ rickety balconies are now brightly painted & perfect for photos. Tango dancers & street performers fill the alleyways. Souvenirs abound, but prices seem higher here than in the Plaza de Mayo area. Artists with original paintings are so prevalent, it can be almost overwhelming. Of course, I came home with a couple of paintings myself. Lunch at La Perla on the corner at the mouth of the Caminito was a treat (reviewed separately).
Close