LandingPad Buenos Aires

Population:188,780
Size (Sq Km): 5.4
Class: Upper-middle/upper
Traffic: 7.5

Measured on a scale of (1-10)

Transportation: buses: 41, 59 (to and from Palermo), 60 (from Palermo or Congreso)

La Onda (The Vibe): Known for its elegant French-style architecture, old money and abundance of parks, plazas, cafés and galleries, Recoleta is one of the most pleasant neighborhoods that Buenos Aires has to offer. There’s a coffee shop or cafe on virtually every corner and you can’t walk more than 10 minutes without having the opportunity to stop and rest at a park or plaza.

Highlights:
-Recoleta Cemetery
-Alvear Palace Hotel, a 5 star hotel with 5 o’clock tea time and beautiful interior
-Plaza Francia, home to the Recoleta fairor open air artisan market on weekends
-MALBA museum

Attractions: The Recoleta Cemetery is host to a number of aristocratic, Argentine families, although its prime attraction is the tomb of Evita Perón. Contrary to what you might expect, her place of rest is quite humble and she is buried under her maiden name, Duarte. Her grave is clearly marked on the general map in the lobby of the cemetery.

The cemetery is located just across the street from Village Recoleta, a very trendy strip of bars, restaurants, and shopping mall. Construction is being completed on the mall presently (November 2011). Be sure to check out Buller, one of Argentina’s best microbreweries. It’s located directly across the plaza from the cemetery entrance.

The National Museum of Fine Arts located at Av. Del Libertador 1473 is just a hop-skip away from the Recoleta Cemetery as well. It boasts an impressive collection of works ranging from the Italian Renaissance to Abstract Expressionism.

Two blocks from the Art Museum is the Law School, which has taken over the former home of the Argentine Supreme Court. Colossal columns tower over the students, making this educational facility well worth a photo and maybe a “Rocky” jog up the steps and celebration.

Situated beside the Law School is a small, well-kept park with an iconic piece of modern art resting in the central fountain. Here you can see the Floralis Genérica (pictured above), described as an environmental sculpture in the shape of a gigantic, metallic flower whose petals open and close depending on the amount of solar rays absorbed.

History: Originally populated by citizens fleeing the 1871 yellow fever epidemic, Recoleta is much more than a refuge. Due to high rents and real estate prices, Recoleta is one of the most expensive neighborhoods to live in. But dying here could cost you even more. It is said that Recoleta Cemetery has the highest-priced real estate in the world.

Random Fact(s): It is rumored that the living descendants of the buried are charged an annual fee for their honored ancestors in the Recoleta Cemetery. The fee, as you can imagine, is not cheap and many refuse to pay. Some say that the cemetery removes these caskets and use the tombs as storage. Let us know if you find out it’s the truth!

Check it out!
*Complete Guide to Recoleta

*Interactive Map of Recoleta

*Reviews of Restaurants in Recoleta

*Reviews of Bars and Nightclubs in Recoleta

*Things to See and Do in Recoleta

Map of Recoleta: