✈️ Book this trip with points
If you’re a Canadian with an Amex Cobalt or RBC Avion card, you can book the flights and hotels for this Buenos Aires trip almost entirely on points. I booked this trip for $87.21 using exactly these cards. Here’s how to do the same for Buenos Aires.
Flights: Toronto to Buenos Aires in Business Class
The best Aeroplan redemption for this route is Air Canada Business Class on YYZ–EZE — a direct overnight flight. It typically prices at 60,000–70,000 Aeroplan points each way, versus a cash price of $3,000–4,500 per ticket. Transfer your Amex Membership Rewards to Aeroplan at 1:1 and this is achievable with 3–4 months of Cobalt spending on food and groceries. (The flight I took — YYZ–JFK–EZE — cost me just $87.21 in fees.)
Hotels: Buenos Aires on Marriott Bonvoy points
Buenos Aires has solid Marriott Bonvoy coverage — the Sheraton Buenos Aires and several Courtyard properties in Palermo and Recoleta. Amex MR points transfer to Marriott Bonvoy at 1:1.2, so hotel nights are bookable from the same card you use for flights. Expect 15,000–25,000 Bonvoy points per night for 4-star options in the neighbourhoods in this itinerary.
Read my full Canadian credit card guide → or get the free Starter Kit sent to your inbox.
In this travel itinerary, I’m bringing you along my trip through the bustling streets and vibrant neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, Argentina. From the moment we touched down at Ezeiza International Airport, we were entranced by the rich culture, historic landmarks, and mouthwatering cuisine that this South American gem had to offer. Over the course of four unforgettable days, we explored the charming districts of Palermo and Recoleta, indulged in traditional Argentine delicacies, and immersed ourselves in the city’s lively nightlife. Our adventure in Buenos Aires was a perfect blend of cultural exploration, culinary delights, and the warm embrace of this dynamic city. This is definitely somewhere I could see myself living. Let’s embark on this journey and discover the magic of Buenos Aires together.
- Day 0: Departure to Buenos Aires
- Day 1: Exploring Palermo and Recoleta
- Day 2: Puerto Madero, San Telmo and Plaza de Mayo
- Day 3: La Boca and Night Out
- Day 4: Cementerio de la Recoleta and Farewell
Day 0: Departure to Buenos Aires
My Flight: Depart YYZ 10:26 AM | Arrive JFK 12:14 PM | Depart JFK 9 PM
Fun fact: I got this flight for $87.21. How? Check out my credit cards post.
Our Buenos Aires adventure began with a morning departure from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and a smooth arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City. We spent the layover exploring Flushings and eating delicious Asian food. If you have a layover in NYC, check out my NYC trip itinerary!
Day 1: Exploring Palermo and Recoleta
Arrival at EZE 9 AM (Yes the flight was 12 hours)
Upon our arrival at Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE), also known as Ezeiza, we were greeted by the warm embrace of Buenos Aires. From the airport, we headed to Palermo. Palermo is one of the most vibrant and trendy neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It’s a sprawling district known for its diverse atmosphere, artistic flair, and a variety of attractions that cater to locals and tourists alike. We booked an Airbnb right inside Palermo Soho!
Breakfast: Duca – Located in Palermo and walking distance from us, this was a great spot to start off with coffee and pastries. Duca offers a cozy ambiance and an array of delectable breakfast options, including freshly baked pastries and strong Argentine coffee.
Activity: Exchange money – Right after breakfast, we did the most important thing first and that is exchanging money. Check out my guide to Argentina to understand what you should be doing to maximize the amount of Argentinian Pesos you have.
Lunch: Las Cabras – After grabbing our cash money, we started with a true Argentine experience at Las Cabras, known for its mouthwatering asado, a traditional Argentine barbecue. The ambiance is vibrant, and the portions are generous.
Activity: Explore Recoleta, See El Ateneo – When the evening came, we started to explore Recoleta, a historic and upscale neighborhood in Buenos Aires. Don’t miss a visit to El Ateneo Grand Splendid, a breathtaking bookstore located in a former theater.
Dinner: Parrilla Pena – For dinner, we indulged in Argentine parillada, a selection of grilled meats, at Parrilla Pena, a traditional Argentine grill restaurant, where you see the chefs pounding the meats as you get in and the smell of steak everywhere in this packed restaurant.
Dessert: Cadore – Cadore is a renowned ice cream parlor where you can savor creamy and flavorful Argentine ice cream. Be sure to try unique flavors like dulce de leche and yerba mate.
Activity: Walk along Avenida Corrientes to see Obelisco – Avenida Corrientes is a bustling avenue known for its theaters, bookshops, and the iconic Obelisco. Very Times Square energy — bright lights, big crowds, and yes, some rats. Your walk might not be as leisurely as you’d hope, but the Obelisco is worth seeing.
Night out: Parque Bar Botanico – We headed back to Palermo and went to Parque Bar Botanico, a trendy spot themed like Jurassic Park. Dinosaur cocktails, good music, great atmosphere — a solid first night out in BA.
Day 2: Puerto Madero, San Telmo and Plaza de Mayo
Activity: Puente de la Mujer and Puerto Madero – Start your day at the futuristic Puente de la Mujer, a rotating footbridge in the Puerto Madero waterfront. An architectural marvel and one of the most photogenic spots in the city.
Lunch: Try Choripan – While in Puerto Madero, grab a Choripan — the classic Argentine sausage sandwich. There’s a food truck right across from the Puente de la Mujer. Don’t skip it.
Coffee: Havanna – Havanna is an Argentine chain known for its alfajores — sweet biscuits sandwiched with dulce de leche and coated in chocolate. Grab one with a coffee to recharge before the afternoon.
Activity: San Telmo, El Hornero, Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, Florida Street – A packed afternoon. Skip the ecological reserve unless you have extra time. Head straight to San Telmo’s historic streets and the San Telmo Market for empanadas at El Hornero — genuinely great. Pro tip: if you’re here on a Sunday, the street market takes over the whole neighbourhood and is absolutely worth your time. Then on to Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada (the presidential palace), and the Florida Street shopping strip.
Dinner: Pizzeria Guerrin – We went because everyone said to. Honest review: skip it. Three floors, a line out the door, and a pizza that’s aggressively loaded with cheese, ham, and onions — and not much else. I say this as someone who takes pizza seriously. The wine was decent. Get another steak instead.
Night out: Palermo – Back to Palermo to explore the nightlife. Just walk the neighbourhood — the bars find you. We went to Rheo, which was a great spot for live music and a genuinely local vibe.
Day 3: La Boca and Night Out
Activity: La Boca, La Bombonera – La Boca is iconic — colourful houses, street art, tango performances, and La Bombonera stadium right in the middle of it. Go during the day. The neighbourhood empties out fast once it gets dark and is known to be unsafe after hours. Daytime only, take your precautions, and you’ll have a great time.
Dinner: Hierro – The best meal of the trip. A local recommendation that delivered on every level — cocktails, appetizers, mains, dessert, all excellent. The service was warm and attentive. Book in advance, it fills up fast.
Activity: Nightlife — self-guided – We signed up for a pub crawl and it was genuinely terrible — dead bars on a Saturday night. Skip the organised crawl. Just walk Palermo and explore. Buenos Aires nightlife is best discovered on your own terms.
Day 4: Cementerio de la Recoleta and Farewell
Lunch: El Preferido – We’d walked past this pink building on Day 1 and had to go back. El Preferido is a classic Buenos Aires institution — traditional Argentine dishes, great patio, exactly the kind of lunch spot that makes you wish you had another week in the city.
Activity: Cementerio de la Recoleta, market area, Recoleta Mall – The Recoleta Cemetery is one of those places that genuinely surprises you. Ornate mausoleums, incredible architecture, and the kind of history that makes you stop and linger. After that, explore the surrounding market for local crafts, jewellery, and art — we picked up some great rings from the outdoor stands.
From Recoleta we headed to Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) to catch our flight to Salta — the next stop on the trip.
My Flight: Depart AEP 6:18 PM | Arrive SLA 8:30 PM (SLA = Salta, Argentina)
Four days in Buenos Aires and I can already see why people fall in love with this city. The food, the neighbourhoods, the energy at night — it all adds up to something genuinely special. Come with an appetite, a willingness to walk, and an open mind. You won’t regret it. Hasta luego, Buenos Aires.
Want to book a trip like this on points? I put together a free one-page guide -the Canadian Luxury Points Starter Kit – covering the best Canadian cards, top Aeroplan redemptions, and exactly how to get started. Email me and I’ll send it over →
VINTURE WITH ME 
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