Buenos Aires: Private City Tour by Car with Flexible Stops

Summary

Stories from La Boca to Recoleta on a day in Buenos Aires

You’ll ride through Buenos Aires with a local guide who knows all the shortcuts — and stories — behind places like Plaza de Mayo, La Boca’s wild colors, San Telmo’s markets, and Recoleta Cemetery’s quiet corners. Expect laughter in the car, surprise flavors at lunch stops, and time to soak up both history and street life before heading back to your hotel.

What’s the experience like?

I nearly missed our turn onto 9 de Julio Avenue because I was too busy counting the traffic lanes — sixteen, if you can believe it. Our guide, Mariana, just grinned and said, “Don’t worry, everyone gets lost here at first.” That set the tone: relaxed but sharp-eyed. We started in Plaza de Mayo, where she pointed out the mothers’ white scarves painted on the ground and quietly explained why they gather every week. I could hear distant drums from a protest (apparently normal here), and the air smelled like roasted peanuts from a street vendor nearby. It’s strange how history feels so alive in this city — not just old buildings, but people still making noise about what matters.

We hopped out again at San Telmo. The cobblestones are uneven — I almost tripped over one while gawking at tango dancers practicing outside a bar. Mariana waved to someone selling antiques (she seemed to know half the neighborhood) and led us into the food market for empanadas that were somehow both flaky and gooey inside. In La Boca, the colors are almost too much — blue walls next to neon yellow balconies, kids kicking a battered football around while tourists snap photos. She told us stories about immigrants painting their houses with leftover ship paint; I tried to imagine picking my house color based on whatever was cheapest that week.

Recoleta Cemetery was quieter than I expected — except for parrots screeching overhead. We wandered past mausoleums that looked like tiny palaces until we found Evita’s grave tucked away behind polished black stone. Mariana let us linger there without saying much, which felt right. Later, driving through Palermo’s leafy parks with the windows down, I caught a whiff of jasmine and thought about how many sides this city has. Six hours went fast; it’s hard to fit Buenos Aires into one day trip by car, but somehow this private tour made it feel possible.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Buenos Aires city highlights

• Visit Plaza de Mayo political center
• Tour inside Metropolitan Cathedral
• See Casa Rosada government house
• Learn at Plaza de Mayo monument
• Visit Buenos Aires Cabildo
• Walk through San Telmo historic quarter
• Explore La Boca colorful houses
• Visit Recoleta Cemetery (optional entry)
• Stroll Recoleta elegant area
• Cross Puente de la Mujer in Puerto Madero
• Pass by Colón Theatre
• Pass by Obelisk of Buenos Aires
• Drive through Palermo exclusive area
• Pass by Palermo Forest park
• Pass by 9 de Julio Avenue

Top questions

How long does the Buenos Aires private city tour by car last?

The tour lasts approximately 6 hours.

Is hotel pickup included in this Buenos Aires city tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off at your hotel or cruise terminal is included.

Which neighborhoods are visited during the private city tour?

The tour covers La Boca, San Telmo, Palermo, Recoleta Cemetery area, Puerto Madero and more.

Are entry tickets for Recoleta Cemetery included?

No, admission tickets for Recoleta Cemetery are not included; they cost USD 12 per person at the entrance.

What languages does the guide speak?

The professional guide speaks English and Spanish.

Is this Buenos Aires city tour customizable?

Yes, the itinerary is flexible and can be customized based on your preferences.

How many people can join this private tour by car?

The car fits up to 3 passengers; larger groups use a van.

Is lunch included in this day trip?

No set lunch is included but there are stops where you can buy food like empanadas or snacks.

Can cruise passengers book this private city tour?

Yes, cruise passengers can book; provide ship details for pickup arrangements.

What’s included

Your day includes private transport by air-conditioned vehicle with pickup and drop-off at your hotel or cruise terminal in Buenos Aires. A professional local guide leads you through each stop — from Plaza de Mayo to Palermo parks — sharing stories along the way. There’s space for one suitcase and carry-on per person; entry fees for sites like Recoleta Cemetery aren’t included but can be paid directly at entrances as you go.