Social History and Secrets of La Boca (pick up option)
Description
We'll tour the NON-TOURISTY sector of La Boca and be able to get closer to the real identity of the area with the help of someone native of the neighborhood. We'll learn about its people, its art, architecture, history, and customs. We'll explore its natural harbor, where large groups of immigrants arrived, its warehouses, and its restored train station. We'll visit a tin-roofed tenement that served as a shelter for immigrants and is currently a Cultural Center. We'll see Boca art represented in large murals that reflect various social issues. We'll also see old buildings that housed anarchist newspapers and brothels from the early 20th century. The soccer stadium (Boca Stadium) and the church (Salesiana) are a must-see, a refuge for these uprooted groups. We'll visit Caminito, where we'll find tango and fileteado in every corner.
Tour Options
Itinerary
How this Transporter Bridge worked, one of the 8 that still exist in the world
We also visited the Volunteer Fire Station, the first in the country. We also visited the small museum with the first trucks used in the late 19th century.
We visit a tenement house and meet its artist owners
The famous Bombonera, Boca Juniors' stadium, we learn about its history, customs, and folklore. We see it from outside
We will walk through this beautiful Open Air Museum
We had a coffee like we porteños usually do.
Salesian School and Church, who arrived with the immigrants to La Boca
The incredible story of Quinquela, the father of the La Boca neighborhood
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(14)
Paola was an amazing guide, a true local perspective. We learned so much about the history of La Boca and got to see more than the typical areas. Absolutely book this tour if you are coming to Buenos Aires.
Thank you!
Paola is a gem. La Boca is so colorful and full of murals, and she brings the history behind them and the neighborhood all to life. Her passion and love for La Boca are clear, and we were engaged the entire time. If you have limited time in Buenos Aires, you will not regret going on this tour!
Thank you so much!
I booked “The Social History and Secrets of La Boca” tour with Paula on November 15, 2025 for a December 1 tour date. I received a full confirmation from TripAdvisor, including a confirmation number, booking reference, and information that I had free cancellation until 10:00 AM the day before. On the morning of December 1, I arrived at the meeting point—the intersection of Martín Rodríguez and Avenida Don Pedro de Mendoza—at 9:40 AM, a full twenty minutes before the scheduled 10:00 AM start time. As someone who has traveled widely and seen both great and rough areas around the world, I can confidently say this particular intersection felt extremely unsafe. There was no police presence, the area felt tense, and even a local tour guide later told me this is known as a spot where police rarely patrol. Standing there made me feel exposed and vulnerable, especially as a tourist. I waited until 9:52 AM, when I called Paola to let her know I had arrived at the meeting point. At 9:58 AM—just two minutes before the tour was supposed to begin—I received a notification that the tour had been canceled. Shortly afterward, at 9:59 AM, Paola sent a message saying the cancellation was due to the booking “never being accepted.” Regardless of the reason, this was incredibly frustrating. There was no advance notice, no courtesy message the night before, and no attempt to notify participants earlier in the morning. I had already traveled to an area that felt unsafe, spent money and time to get there, and stood waiting in a place where I genuinely felt at risk. Had I known the tour was not going to happen, I obviously never would have gone. This lack of professionalism alone would be enough for me to advise others to avoid this tour. But combined with the dangerous meeting location, it becomes an even stronger warning. While waiting, I noticed several individuals whose behavior made me uncomfortable, and one woman standing on the corner who seemed to be surveying the area in a way that did not feel reassuring. My honest recommendation: do not book this tour and donot book anything with Paola. The communication was unprofessional, the cancellation was last-minute, and the meeting point felt unsafe for both tourists and locals. I left feeling frustrated, disappointed, and frankly lucky that nothing bad happened. This is my candid experience, and I hope it helps others make an informed decision.
Carlos, I'm so sorry to hear about your bad experience. The experience was booked on November 15th and was immediately canceled on November 17th. It was scheduled for December 1st. We received the cancellation email immediately, so Viator should have sent a cancellation email to you immediately as well. Apparently, this didn't happen. We've asked Viator for an explanation and also requested permission to include the relevant photos (which were sent to you directly) in this response, but unfortunately, we haven't received a reply.
Paolo is fantastic. I got everything from this tour, it gave me culture, art, sports and history. By far the best tour I have ever been on. She could so easily charge more and she should to be honest.
THANK YOU! what a nice review!
I'm so glad I did this tour of the lesser known side of La Boca! We approached La Boca not in the typical touristy way, but through meandering the streets around the tourist trap and understanding the social history. Paola is so lovely and knowledgeable. I learned a ton and would recommend this to anyone.
Thank You!!
Fantastic experiencel! Paola will take you on a fun stroll through history of Boca while navigating social issues past and present. Her knowledge will blow your mind! She's really fun to talk to and has the best recommendations to explore the city in different ways.
Gracias Elika!!! fue hermoso recibirte y conocerte!
Interesting guided tour through the secondary locations. Thanks for all the information and stories. In particular, the insight into the "Museum" of Marjam Grum was impressive
Big Hug, thanks
Paola´s tour was amazing! She went far beyond knowledgeable and engaging. We came back home not only knowing the very basics about Argentinian history, but also a detailed new story that really left us wanting for more. If I had time, I would have booked another day with Paola and visited other areas of this fabulous city. She´s fun, she knows a lot and she really wants you to enjoy the ride!
Thank You Fernanda!!!!
Paola gave us a very informative experience about the history of the Mouth. This is a special neighborhood a little difficult to learn without an expert guide. Paola was excellent!
Gracias!
It is a must-see tour to get to know the neighborhood well! Paola conveys the passion and interest for all the issues surrounding this great place. Super recommended! 😊
Muchisimas Gracias!
