Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Orientation
Buenos Aires is quite flat, and streets, laid out
on straight lines, cross at right angles to form
mini-plazas, which are often spots of greenery.
The city's downtown area is not large and can
be easily walked. Both a commercial and cul-
tural center, it is bordered loosely by Avenida
Libertador (N), Paseo Colón (E), Avenida
Belgrano (S) and Entre Rios (W). The down-
town area is encircled by interesting neighbor-
hoods (
barrios
) which, while not technically
part of downtown, are an integral part of the
inner city.
Porteños rarely
use the words
calle (street) or
avenida (avenue).
Downtown Streets & Landmarks
Avenida Rivadavia
Although you will spend little time on it,
Avenida Rivadavia is a key orientation street in
this downtown grid. A particularly long street,
Rivadavia cuts through the city from east to
west, creating large north and south sectors.
Chances are that you'll spend most of your time
in the northern sector, where the hotels, restau-
rants and shops are located. Avenida Rivadavia
is also the point at which street names change
and the numbering system begins. Blocks are
numbered in hundreds. For example, Calle
Florida in the northern section runs for 11
blocks from Avenida Rivadavia to the Plaza
San Martín. #960 Calle Florida is on the 10th
block north of Avenida Rivadavia. #960 south of
