Kienna Kulzer is a student at the Western Washington University and is an ISA Featured Blogger. She is studying abroad with ISA in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
With 48 different barrios, or neighborhoods, and a population of 3 million people, Buenos Aires is definitely the biggest city I’ve ever lived in. I love Buenos Aires– it’s vibrant, chaotic, beautiful, and there’s never a shortage of things to do. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little overwhelmed when I first got here. If you’re like me and come from a small town where there’s a hiking trail near every neighborhood, it definitely takes a little time to adjust to living in such a big city, especially one in a new country where they speak a different language.
What helps me the most when I’m feeling overwhelmed is to take some time to be out in nature. Longer trips to incredible places like Patagonia or Mendoza are great natural escapes, but there’s also many great green spaces to explore that are in or near the city itself.
- Jardin Botanico Carlos Thays (Carlos Thays Botanical Gardens)
This park has quickly become one of my favorite spots in the city. You can follow the different winding paths through the trees to find small waterfalls, greenhouses, a mate garden, and an array of different statues. Despite being sandwiched between two very busy roads, the park is big enough that once you start wandering in, you can’t even tell you’re still in the city. I’m lucky enough to live only a few blocks from the park, so it’s become my go-to running spot. It’s also the perfect place to bring a book or have some mate tea and enjoy the shade.
- Peru Beach
Just an hour by train from the city, Peru Beach is a great spot to relax by the water with some friends for an afternoon. If you like sailing, windsurfing, or kayaking, then I suggest taking advantage of the cheap rentals. One of my favorite days this week was taking an afternoon to kayak with my friends and then enjoying some sangria and great music as we watched the sun go down over the river. It’s a little more of a trek than the other places, but it’s definitely worth it if you have a little more time.
- Bosques de Palermo
I’ve still only explored sections of this huge park. It’s also located in Palermo Soho, but it isn’t as secluded as the Botanical Gardens. On a sunny day you can usually find people out exercising, having picnics, or wandering through the rose gardens. Since it’s so big, it’s good for going on longer runs or meeting up with friends to wander around.
And these are just a few of my favorites I’ve found so far! There’s so many parks around Buenos Aires that you don’t even have to leave the city to escape for a little while.
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