Buenos Aires: Tango Capital of the World

Hot dance moves are just one aspect of a city’s culture that is already a hot destination for international airlines. In addition to Buenos Aires’s reputation as the Paris of Latin America, tango fever was one factor that propelled the city to international stardom. Today, it remains a major attraction for travelers arriving on cheap flights to Buenos Aires.

Although tango supposedly originated in the late 19th century, it started to become popular on a widespread scale in Argentina around the early 20th century. Although once mainly a working class pastime, it has come to proliferate in all levels of Argentine society. It was Carlos Gardel, an actor and singer and a folk hero for Argentines, who really turned it into the country’s national dance. Look for the best airline tickets for cheap flights to Buenos Aires to watch some of the world’s best tango dancers and try out a few steps for yourself.

Watching tango performances is often an option in tour packages that you can purchase after your flights to Buenos Aires. A popular choice is a dinner and tango show combo, which can cost you anything from $20 to $100 and up. For tourists, the main place to see and learn tango is San Telmo, one of Buenos Aires’s best-known barrios. Here you can see locals spontaneously breaking out their dance moves. Couples dance in the streets and you can take your picture with dancers decked out in traditional tango fashion. Head to San Telmo’s Plaza Dorrego in the evenings to watch some great dancers strut their stuff. To learn and dance for yourself, look for a tango school or a milonga, the Argentine word for a club to dance tango. San Telmo offers a wide range of tango classes, from pricy personal lessons with renowned dancers to large group classes. The Centro Cultural Torquato Tasso is one place that offers classes daily. On Sundays, you can usually find a free class or two around the city. La Catedral, a huge space that was formerly a warehouse, is one of the most iconic milongas in the city and usually designates Tuesdays for beginning learners. If you’d like to watch some really impressive dancing after your flights to Buenos Aires, head to Salon Canning on Fridays where some of the best dancers meet up.

If you really want to see tango, try to book cheap tickets to Buenos Aires in December as December 11 is Argentina’s Tango Day, celebrated with festivals, competitions, and more. Besides its reputation as one of the most romantic and seductive dances in the world, tango is said to have multiple health benefits including improving balance, strength and cardiovascular health. Check out the best fares for airline deals to the tango capital of the world.