Caminito is an open-air street museum barely 100 metres long that has become the visual icon of Buenos Aires. Its tin houses painted in vibrant colours — blue, yellow, red, green, orange — recreate the aesthetic of the La Boca neighbourhood from the early 20th century, when Italian immigrants painted their tenement houses with leftover ship paint from the nearby port. Today, Caminito is an explosion of colour where artists paint live, tango dancers pose for photos, open-air art galleries line the street and restaurants grill meat in full view.
The name "Caminito" comes from the tango by Juan de Dios Filiberto (1926), composed about an abandoned railway line that crossed the neighbourhood. In 1959, the artist Benito Quinquela Martin (La Boca's most famous painter) championed the transformation of that abandoned line into an open-air museum, painting the facades with the colours that made him famous and inviting artists to exhibit their work on the street. That is how the Caminito we know today was born.
What to see at Caminito
- Colourful houses: the painted tin facades are the main photographic attraction. Balconies with life-size figures (Maradona, Evita, Pope Francis, tango couples) are unmissable photo spots.
- Street artists: dozens of painters exhibit and sell their work on the street. Oils, watercolours and engravings with Buenos Aires, tango and football themes. Prices range from USD 10 to USD 200 depending on technique and size.
- Street tango: professional dancer couples perform on the street and offer photos in exchange for tips (USD 1-2 per photo). A fun, if touristy, experience.
- Vuelta de Rocha: the bend of the Riachuelo river next to Caminito, with views of boats and art galleries. The classic La Boca postcard.
- Usina del Arte: cultural centre in a former power station (1916), with shows and exhibitions. Generally free admission.
Fundacion Proa
Fundacion Proa (Pedro de Mendoza 1929) is the most important contemporary art space in La Boca and one of the best in Buenos Aires. Exhibitions by top international artists in a modern building with a panoramic terrace overlooking the Riachuelo and the Nicolas Avellaneda transporter bridge. Admission USD 3-5. The Proa cafe is excellent for a break before continuing through the neighbourhood.
Safety tips for Caminito
Caminito and the tourist area of La Boca are safe with basic precautions:
- Stay on the tourist circuit: Caminito, Del Valle Iberlucea street, Magallanes and the blocks around La Bombonera.
- Do not stray from the main streets: a few blocks from Caminito the area changes drastically. Do not explore side streets outside the circuit.
- Arrive and leave by taxi/Uber: do not walk to or from La Boca, especially at night.
- Do not display valuables: keep cameras and phones out of sight when not in use.
- Visit during the day: the tourist area operates from 10:00 to 18:00. There is no reason to go at night.
- Police presence: there are police and private security throughout the tourist area during operating hours.
Where to eat at Caminito
- El Obrero: classic La Boca bodegon with grilled meats, pasta and authentic atmosphere (USD 10-15). A favourite of Bono from U2.
- Proa Cafe: Fundacion Proa's cafe with a terrace over the Riachuelo. Coffee, cakes and light lunches (USD 5-10).
- Restaurants on Caminito: several with grills in full view and midday tango shows (USD 15-25). Touristy but fun.
- La Perla: historic La Boca bar, open since 1882. Coffee, medialunas and toasted sandwiches (USD 3-5).
How to get to Caminito
- Taxi/Uber (recommended): from the centre USD 3-5, from Palermo USD 5-7.
- Buses: lines 29, 33, 53, 64, 86 from the centre.
- Organised tour: many free tours and paid tours include La Boca with transport.
- No subway: La Boca has no subway stations.
