La Boca, Working-class district in southern Buenos Aires, Argentina
La Boca is a port neighborhood in southern Buenos Aires along the Riachuelo River, known for its colorful buildings. The low corrugated metal houses stand close together, many housing restaurants and souvenir shops along narrow lanes, while the football stadium La Bombonera rises above the surrounding residential blocks.
Genoese immigrants founded this port settlement in the 1830s and made it an important harbor for the Rio de la Plata. In 1882, residents attempted to break away from Argentina and raised the Genoese flag until President Roca intervened with troops.
The colorful corrugated metal houses along Caminito grew from the tradition of dockworkers painting their facades with leftover ship paint. At street corners, couples dance on the pavement while artists paint scenes of the neighborhood and display their work in small galleries.
Visitors should stay on main streets around Caminito and the stadium area and explore only during daylight. The lit areas are safest, and it helps to keep valuables out of sight.
The stadium La Bombonera has no right angles and was built so the steep stands rise directly above the pitch. Some houses along the waterfront stand on stilts, a holdover from when river water regularly flooded the lower floors.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
