The new space, which showcases the main species of flora and fauna that inhabit the reserve welcomes visitors, provides orientation and raises awareness of the importance and uniqueness of the reserve, just metres from the busy financial centre of Buenos Aires.
The Interpretation Centre opened to the public last month and features an exhibition on the three eco-regions present in the reserve: the Paraná delta and islands, the Argentine espinal and the grasslands. The centre has illustrations and infographics showing how different species arrive in the reserve, the importance of the reserve as wetlands and other characteristics.
Operations manager for the ecological reserve, Germán Aucina, said that the project included the design and creation of installations equipped with audio, with 25 full-scale representations of native fauna, as well as the renovation of existing material. The new centre is widely accessible, with tactile maps for people with visual impairment.
See nature without leaving the city
Covering 350 hectares, the reserve is the largest green space in Buenos Aires. It is home to more than 2,000 species of flora and fauna including birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and native vegetation such as pampas grass and alder forests. It receives more than one million visitors every year, including 25,000 students from 260 schools.
The reserve is an excellent location for bird watching, with more than 343 species having been spotted – equivalent to 30 per cent of all the avifauna in Argentina, and three per cent of all birds in the world.
Birdwatching is growing in popularity around the world, will millions of people travelling to see different species, and it is a segment that comprises tourists with high purchasing power and an average spend that reaches around US$3000.
Gonzalo Robredo, president of the Buenos Aires City Tourist Board, said: "The reserve is a pillar for tourism in Buenos Aires and this Interpretation Centre generates value for visitors as well as for local people, since we need to connect with this natural gem, just metres from the centre of the city."
buenosaires.gob.ar/ciudadverde/espaciosverdes/reservaecologica
City of the arts
Buenos Aires is one of the most interesting cities to visit in all of South America. A fusion of cultures and colours, there's far more to it than steaks and tango although the former are the best you'll get anywhere and the latter is exhilarating. The city pulses with life and a Latin vibe and like all of the world's great cities it never seems to sleep. It also has a vibrant arts community.
The Argentine capital was recently named by Frommer's as one of the 20 best places to visit in 2020, highlighting the city's neighbourhoods such as Villa Crespo with its underground art scene and Jewish community, and San Telmo with its artists centred on Plaza Dorrego. One of the most colourful neighbourhoods in the city and my personal favourite is La Boca, a working class district as well as a tourist destination.
Tourism boom
In the first half of 2019, almost 1.5 million international tourists arrived in the city and three million arrivals were forecast by the end of the year (still to be confirmed), representing a record for Buenos Aires. This boom is being accompanied by an expansion of tourism into less traditional neighbourhoods. According to data from the city, the neighbourhood of Belgrano, for example, is now receiving 30 per cent of the tourists that visit Palermo, a more traditional favourite, while movement in the neighbourhoods of Villa Crespo, Caballito and Chacarita can also be seen. This is consistent with the observation that international tourists are increasingly seeking to experience cities as if they were residents, rather than visitors, and this trend is opening up new neighbourhoods to tourism.
As part of the initiative to spread tourism to new neighbourhoods, the Buenos Aires city government recently launched an interactive map identifying 500 points of interest across all 48 of the city's neighbourhoods.
turismo.buenosaires.gob.ar/en/article/neighbourhoods
Out and about in BA
For those who only have time to see the main attractions these should include the city square, Plaza de Mayo, lined with stately 19th-century buildings including Casa Rosada, the presidential palace; Teatro Colón, a grand 1908 opera house with nearly 2,500 seats and considered one of the 10 best opera houses in the world; the modern MALBA museum, displaying Latin American art; and of course Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve.
Take care crossing the terrifyingly wide and traffic-dense boulevards, particularly Avenida 9 De Julio, claimed to be the widest avenue in the world. Its name honours Argentina's Independence Day, 9 July 1816. The avenue has seven lanes in each direction plus two lanes for turning into the side streets, a total of 18 lanes. Crossing it on foot is a major undertaking requiring two or three traffic-light cycles and corresponding stops at pedestrian islands along the way.
I stayed at the Esplendor, a delightful hotel conveniently located in downtown Buenos Aires close to Galerías Pacífico Shopping Mall and Florida Street. It boasts a number of stunning artworks and can be recognised from its neo-Renaissance façade. Now a Wyndham hotel, it offers modern décor, an on-site business centre and an inclusive buffet breakfast.
wyndhamhotels.com/esplendor/buenos-aires-argentina/hotel-esplendor-buenos-aires/overview
Safety and security
Buenos Aires is generally safe to walk around if you keep your wits about you, and the level of crime is no worse than in other comparable cities. However, some of its citizens do practise a unique line in what is known as distraction theft. The victim is splashed with a dollop of mustard or similar substance, a 'helpful local' moves in and offers to wipe it off and while all of this is going on, his or her accomplice relieves you of your wallet or purse. So if you feel a slimy substance land on you, just keep walking and ignore all offers of help.
Getting there
The upcoming southern hemisphere autumn season, March to May, is a good time to visit, followed by the spring in September to November. British Airways, Emirates and United are among many airlines that serve Buenos Aires. There are no direct flights from Australia but Qantas flies to Santiago where connections are available, and Air New Zealand flies direct from Auckland.