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Recoleta is a wealthy neighborhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina that’s known for its Parisian influence. It was, by far, my favorite part of Buenos Aires and I’d highly recommend staying here on your next visit (mainly because it’s also the safest place in the city). It has so much culture and amazing things to do that you’ll never be bored. Honestly, there were times when I felt like I was back in Paris.
There are three main attractions that are must-sees in this neighborhood: the Recoleta Cemetery, the National Museum of Fine Art, and the street fair.
New Orleans has a huge crypt cemetery and I was expecting for this to be similar or exactly the same. But this cemetery exceeded by expectations every step of the way. For starters it’s huge and it’s so well organized in a grid formation (with its own street names).
Each crypt is uniquely designed and there isn’t a set format or styl which makes for a truly unique experience. It’s the responsibility of the family to keep the crypt maintained, but there isn’t an HOA to keep you in check so some are falling apart (but they still look really cool).
I’ll admit it, I’m an art nerd. I could spend all day looking around an art museum and comparing the different techniques and styles. Luckily for me, most of the museums in Buenos Aires are free admission!
I spent most of my time walking around the street fair. The people are so friendly and I never felt pressured into buying anything. Sadly, the street fair is only open on the weekend but it has amazing hand-made and Argentina unique things to buy. And everything is at amazing, very inexpensive prices.
Purchase #1: Hand Carved Owl made of Argentinian wood (sorry, I forgot the name of the actual tree)
Cost: $150 Argentine Pesos or $5.50 USD
Purchase #2: Orange Peal Container
Cost: $150 Argentine Pesos or $5.50 USD
Purchase #3: Mate Gourd cup and Stirrer (this is what Argentinians drink ‘tea’ out of)
Cost: $250 Argentina Pesos or $9.17 USD ($150 for the cup and $100 for the stirrer)
Purchase #4: Argentina Magnet
Cost: $90 Argentina Pesos or $3.30 USD
Purchase #5: Argentina Mug
Cost: $100 Argentina Pesos or $3.67 USD
They also had a lot of hand made jewelry that I would highly recommend. I’m not much of a jewelry person so I didn’t purchase any but they were so beautiful.
If you’re a chocolate lover then you HAVE to check out Vasalissa Chocolatier. It has some of the most amazing bonbons that I’ve ever had. You’ll see some reviews saying that this place is overpriced and it might be overpriced for Argentina but it’s around the same price as luxury candy in the US.
