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Tango the Night Away in Buenos Aires
Published by Jason Hussong, Writer
Country: Argentina 
The Experience
The Tango has many forms, from various national styles to ballroom and street styles. But no matter where it’s performed, the Tango is a very beautiful and sensual dance. The legs kick, the hips twist, hands slide over skin, it is an intimate experience shared between partners as they glide across the dance floor. And to Tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina, that floor can sometimes be a street where crowds will gather in voyeuristic marvel at the lithe rhythmic movements of a dance couple.
Argentina is where Tango was developed, in the lower class districts and brothels of the 19th Century; the neighborhoods being predominantly Spanish and Italian in origin, like the La Boca area around Caminito Street. This is why Tango, and the music associated with it, is sometimes referred to as the dance and music of the immigrants. Today, Tango is enjoyed throughout Buenos Aires as an ingrained part of the culture, and which is now a worldwide representative of Argentina.
Thanks mostly to its influences, Tango wasn’t always seen as a respectable dance until the Parisians adopted it in the early part of the 20th Century. Dancers travelled abroad to Europe, and the craze quickly spread. But it wasn’t until after World War I ended that it caught on to the high society of Paris, and moved on to other countries like Finland, Germany and the United States, cementing itself as an international affair.
The Tango is now popular the world over as a genre of music, but particularly as a style of dance. James Bond performed it in Never Say Never Again; Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis in True Lies; and the “Cell Block Tango” in the 2003 Academy Award winning Chicago was an eye opener. But at its heart, Tango truly remains Argentine, as portrayed by Madonna and Antonio Banderas in the hit film Evita.
While Tango has changed and been given competition rules and regionalized in various countries, it is a dance that remains with the Argentine people. It is not uncommon to see performances in the streets of South America’s second largest city. It is a wonderful experience unique to this metropolis, and most traditionally in the San Telmo and Abasto neighborhoods; but also found almost anywhere.
Due to the downward economic effects on society, as well as issues with politics, Tango has experienced its ups and downs. It even declined in popularity for a time thanks to a surge of interest in Rock and Roll. But Tango lives on, and is even being recognized by UNESCO as a part of the world’s “intangible cultural heritage,” and as a world heritage of humanity.
Argentina is where Tango was developed, in the lower class districts and brothels of the 19th Century; the neighborhoods being predominantly Spanish and Italian in origin, like the La Boca area around Caminito Street. This is why Tango, and the music associated with it, is sometimes referred to as the dance and music of the immigrants. Today, Tango is enjoyed throughout Buenos Aires as an ingrained part of the culture, and which is now a worldwide representative of Argentina.
Thanks mostly to its influences, Tango wasn’t always seen as a respectable dance until the Parisians adopted it in the early part of the 20th Century. Dancers travelled abroad to Europe, and the craze quickly spread. But it wasn’t until after World War I ended that it caught on to the high society of Paris, and moved on to other countries like Finland, Germany and the United States, cementing itself as an international affair.
The Tango is now popular the world over as a genre of music, but particularly as a style of dance. James Bond performed it in Never Say Never Again; Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis in True Lies; and the “Cell Block Tango” in the 2003 Academy Award winning Chicago was an eye opener. But at its heart, Tango truly remains Argentine, as portrayed by Madonna and Antonio Banderas in the hit film Evita.
While Tango has changed and been given competition rules and regionalized in various countries, it is a dance that remains with the Argentine people. It is not uncommon to see performances in the streets of South America’s second largest city. It is a wonderful experience unique to this metropolis, and most traditionally in the San Telmo and Abasto neighborhoods; but also found almost anywhere.
Due to the downward economic effects on society, as well as issues with politics, Tango has experienced its ups and downs. It even declined in popularity for a time thanks to a surge of interest in Rock and Roll. But Tango lives on, and is even being recognized by UNESCO as a part of the world’s “intangible cultural heritage,” and as a world heritage of humanity.
When to Go to Tango Buenos Aires
The best time of year to experience the Tango in Argentina is at the end of February and the beginning of March. This is when the Buenos Aires Tango Festival is in full swing. While it's always possible to get a dance in Buenos Aires any time of year, the Festival is the best time to watch as there are hundreds of performers. Some performances are even free.
Odds n' Ends
There is no better place to learn to Tango then in Buenos Aires. Immersing yourself in a culture that is built around the Tango definitely adds some soul that isn't easily achieved in a stodgy dance class in a concrete jungle. Tango lessons can be booked by individual class or by the week or month, depending on how long you plan on staying. Costs vary depending on whether you attend a private or group class, but can start as low as $US 8 and go up from there. There a plenty of courses available for all ability levels so don't worry. Once you've got some experience under your belt why not head to a local milonga, a Tango dance club, where dancers of all levels come together to dance, socialize and swap partners. Tango can be done wearing any clothing, but in Argentina it's best to be stylish and look the part.
Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
Located in the Boedo district, Lola House is a charming affordable hotel in Buenos Aires. This neighbourhood is renowned for its tango history, and is ... 3 miles away
$284 ARS+
3 miles away
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More Experiences Nearby
- Explore Caminito Street's Eccentric Outdoor Gallery
- The outdoor gallery of Caminito Street, Buenos Aires is an area reminiscent of the Italian city of Genoa, from which much of the population emigrated, with its brightly painted buildings. The La Boca barrio (neighbourhood) in which Caminito Street is nestled, emits a certain European air, as the people of Caminito have transformed it by brightening the housing projects and surrounding area with vivid colors, splashes of pastel, and other artworks all their own. The Caminito Street outdoor gallery is owned by the residents who created it and continue to develop the 100-meter-long street, named in homage to the popular ...3 miles away.
While You're There - Tours and Trips Nearby
The Fiesta Gaucha day trip takes you through the scenic pampas countryside outside Buenos Aires to the estancia, where you'll take a tour of the ...3.73 miles away via Buenos Aires.
$63+
The luxurious homes and attractive coastline of this lovely area are only 18 miles (30km) north of Buenos Aires. Following a stopover at the San ...3.73 miles away via Buenos Aires.
$35+
+ 5 others. Show all.
Carpe Diem! Book to do this experience now!
This tour gives you the unique opportunity to experience a traditional Tango show while you enjoy drinks (wine, beer, juices) and an exquisite local dinner. ...
Starting from $84.99 per person.
Starting from $84.99 per person.
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Books and DVDs
Elsewhere on the Web
- Bailemos Tango Festival - Official site
- WhatsUpBuenosAires.com
- You won't find it any better anywhere else in the world! It's Buenos Aires, the home of the Tango. Check out one of these top-notch tango experiences to put some passion and dance in your stay.
Media References
- Condé Nast Traveler - November 2007 (magazine)
- Argentine Nights _ NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- Drawn by the city’s cheap prices and Paris-like elegance, legions of foreign artists are colonizing Buenos Aires and transforming this sprawling metropolis into a throbbing hothouse of cool.
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Language Guides
Italian 
,
Japanese
,
Spanish
are some of the languages spoken in Argentina. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!
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