Visit the top places to rest in peace in Buenos Aires while learning about lifestyles of the rich & (in)famous.
Recoleta Cemetery ranks as one of the main attractions in Buenos Aires & with good reason. Its list of occupants reads like a Who’s Who of Argentine history & society. The elite, aspiring middle class, friends, enemies & those who contributed to the general welfare of Argentina all share space in a miniature city of mausoleums & monuments. But it wasn’t always so grandiose…
Imagine Buenos Aires 200 years ago, before growing into the metropolis it is today. 55,000 inhabitants lived without paved streets, green areas or basic public services. To improve city sanitation, burials inside or near churches were prohibited & this cemetery —the first public burial ground in Buenos Aires— opened in 1822.
Over time, Recoleta Cemetery has changed as much as the city itself & although unpopular at first, the elite eventually came to cherish its intimate location. Ornate family tombs reflect wealth & status. Stroll past Presidents & politicians (some naughty, some nice), Nobel Prize winners, literary greats, entertainers, scientists, military leaders, sports figures & even some who died tragically… generating more than a few urban legends.
Of course this guide includes the cemetery’s most famous resident. Eva María Duarte de Perón —simply Evita to her devotées— had a bizarre post-mortem journey which is described at length. Many other important tombs are included such as Rufina Cambacérès, Luis Ángel Firpo, & David Spinetto. The mix of architecture, historical figures & captivating stories may make you want to stay permanently!
Topics discussed in the guide include the foundation of Recoleta Cemetery, details of its current operation, symbolism inside, plus the most accurate map available. There’s even an Argentina history time line to help put tombs in perspective. Robert is proud to have guided more than 1,500 people through Recoleta Cemetery… he feels that no better place exists to learn about the glories & defeats of Argentina’s past while reflecting on the future. Robert has even appeared on television, guiding for the GlobeTrekker television series!
Covering 70 tombs & mausoleums, the walk is divided into easy-to-navigate sections of 10 tombs each. Sample sheets below demonstrate the guide’s general layout:
Format: PDF, A5 portrait, 60 pages (file size 8.1 Mb). Designed for digital viewing. First released Jan 2010, last updated in Jan 2024. This guide may not be redistributed or resold.
Duration: The route takes about 2 hours to walk & read at a leisurely pace. You may need extra time to gaze at all the architecture & take photos.
Price: USD 5.99 via PayPal (taxes included). A link to download the PDF will be sent to your email address after payment is confirmed.
Recommended by so many! Lonely Planet, The New York Times, LAN Airlines, Delta Airlines, and the Michelin guide Buenos Aires …Like A Local that says: “this labor of love is arguably the best guide to Recoleta Cemetery in any language.” Have fun & enjoy the walk!
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Note: Our sister website Endless Mile contains many blog posts about Buenos Aires as well as additional guides to the city (Plaza de Mayo, Once & Art Nouveau). If you enjoy the Recoleta Cemetery guide, then check out our others!