Buenos Aires, a Gay friendly city, Argentina | Travel Tips

Buenos Aires has become the gay Mecca of South America leaving Rio de Janeiro in a second place.

It is the destiny chosen for different reasons by thousands of homosexual tourists from all over the world. Buenos Aires is a European style city (similar to Paris and Milan) that offers a great variety of gastronomic, cultural and social events during the day and at night.

+ Why Buenos Aires?
One of the main attractions for tourists is that “Buenos Aires doesn´t sleep”: its restaurants, theatres, pubs, bars and discos are open till late at night, till dawn or they are open 24/7.

In this city there are different gay friendly places where to have fun. People in Buenos Aires are “open minded”, they do not show a disapproving attitude if they see two men or women holding hands or kissing in the street, they simply accept it.

+ Same-sex Marriage in Argentina
Acceptance of different sexual orientations was consented by the Civil Union Law passed in December 2002 in the City of Buenos Aires. It was the first step towards the amendment of the Civil Code. Since 2010 same- sex people are allowed to marry.

Thus Argentina has become the first country in Latin America to exercise this right.

+ Gay Pride Parade in Buenos Aires
Every year, on the first Saturday of November, the traditional Gay Pride Parade takes place in Buenos Aires to celebrate the creation of the first gay group in our country in 1967.

Gay people express themselves in the streets, they dance and enjoy being together, they also take advantage to claim the authorities for different rights such as the “Gender Identity Law”.

Fuente de las fotos: marchadelorgullo.org.ar

+ Women and Men
Tourists feel attraction for women and men in Buenos Aires. Their physical aspect, clothes, elegance, nice disposition, good humour and tolerance make them irresistible.

+ Are there any gay neighborhoods in Buenos Aires?
We cannot say there are gay neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, but we can say that the “gay movement” is found mostly in Recoleta, Palermo, San Telmo and Barrio Norte because these neighborhoods concentrate most of the tourist attractions, malls, restaurants, fashionable discos and gay friendly accommodation.

In Recoleta you may visit the tomb of Evita Perón, the arts and crafts fair of Plaza Francia, the Hard Rock Café of Buenos Aires at the Buenos Aires Design Centre and the MALBA ( Latin American Museum of Art of Buenos Aires).

In Palermo you may buy clothes designed by young people, unique and original objects of art, you can enjoy good coffee at a table on the sidewalk, have a drink at a pub or go to a disco.

In San Telmo, a bohemian colonial style neighborhood you can watch tango performances in the street, find antiques and collectibles at the San Telmo Fair and have coffee under the sun in Plaza Dorrego.

+ Gay Friendly accommodation in Buenos Aires
The city offers accommodation for every budget, from exclusive hotels of the Axel Hotels chain to the Hostels Gay Friendly in Buenos Aires at convenient rates.

+ Advice
- A visit to the disco Amerika where gays, transvestites, swingers and heterosexuals meet is a must. (1040 Gascón St., Almagro).
- Before going dancing hang out in a bar in Palermo or Recoleta.
- Go for a walk in Buenos Aires, use public transportation as it is cheaper and distances are short.
- Go dancing at night or attend an underground theatre performance.
- If you want to save money, instead of going to the traditional shopping centers go to the outlets on Córdoba Avenue.
- Enjoy the great variety of restaurants that this city offers.
- Bring your camera and take plenty of pictures.
- Get a map of Palermo, San Telmo or Recoleta for free at different business premises.
- Buy designer clothes and shoes.
- As in any other important city watch your belongings and look out for pickpockets. Don´t be afraid, be cautious.