Traveling to another city doesn’t mean you have to neglect physical activity. Many people view exercise as a crucial part of their daily lives and go to great lengths to maintain their routine, even when abroad.
So, is it possible to stay active in Buenos Aires without spending money? The good news is that it is. You don’t need to rely on gyms or fitness centers if you don’t want to or if they’re not part of your routine.
In this article, we’ll share what free physical activities you can enjoy and the best times of day to do them.
Free and Open Physical Activities in Buenos Aires
Walking
Walking is a physical activity that requires nothing more than a path or sidewalk. Practically any area of Buenos Aires is suitable for this activity, including your sightseeing routes.
If you want to combine tourism with walking, making the most of both simultaneously, it’s best to forgo vehicles and adopt “exploration mode.” Not only will you walk much more than you might expect, but you’ll also discover places that traditional tourism often misses.
If you prefer a more sport-focused walking experience, Buenos Aires offers numerous parks and squares throughout the city. Here, you can enjoy the outdoors and walk at your own pace without dealing with pedestrians, vendors, and other obstacles.
Running
Unlike cities like New York, where green spaces are concentrated in a large park, Buenos Aires has green areas distributed throughout the city. This means you don’t have to cross the city to find a park or square for running.
Both parks and squares (with parks being larger) feature circuits for runners or at least spacious sidewalks where you can run as much as you want. Most runners prefer these spaces to avoid cars, traffic lights, and other common obstacles.
However, running in the streets of Buenos Aires isn’t inherently dangerous. It just requires more attention as you’ll need to navigate around vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, pets, and other obstacles. This might involve moving laterally, stepping off the sidewalk, or even increasing your pace to avoid stopping at a red light.
Is running in Buenos Aires a viable option? We could say it’s one of the best ways to exercise freely and without cost. You can choose to run in adapted circuits like parks and squares or on city streets.
In parks and squares, it’s recommended to run Monday to Friday before 11 AM or after 6 PM, as these are times when the flow of people decreases significantly. On weekends, check if the park or square has a vendor fair. If it does, it’s best to run as early as possible to avoid the area becoming crowded.
Exercise Machines and Training Facilities
In recent years, Buenos Aires authorities have installed fixed exercise machines in various parks and squares across the city.
These exercise stations offer equipment for activities ranging from climbing to cycling. You’ll also find supports for calisthenics, pull-ups, and other exercises designed to improve strength and endurance.
Not all parks and squares have these stations, but they are fairly common in large parks and some neighborhood squares. There are no reservation systems, so it’s typical for users to take turns using the equipment respectfully.
Generally, these facilities are visible from outside the parks or squares, such as in Parque Centenario, which has several exercise stations. They can even be used when the park’s gates are closed at night.
These installations usually have lower demand early in the morning or late at night. If the park hosts fairs on weekends, finding available exercise machines may be more challenging.
Cycling
Buenos Aires promotes cycling as a sustainable, green, and economical means of transportation. The city has implemented several public policies aimed at encouraging cycling and discouraging the use of private vehicles.
The impact of this promotion is not conclusive (neither overwhelmingly positive nor negative). However, it has made the city more cycling-friendly, especially for urban cycling, although it is also suitable for sports activities.
You can use your own bike or rent one from the public system (Ecobici) to travel through Buenos Aires via protected bike lanes. These lanes form an extensive network with signage that covers almost the entire city.
You can use these exclusive lanes at any time, as there are no time restrictions, as long as you respect the direction (some lanes are one-way, others are not) and the signage.
If you’re interested in a more sporty and speed-focused cycling experience, you can do this during the week, but weekends are ideal. Traffic significantly decreases on weekends, allowing you to take your sports bike and cycle throughout the city, including parks, squares, avenues, streets, and even the Costanera area (both South and North).
Sports Activities
Free and accessible football and basketball courts, as well as ping-pong tables, are available in parks and squares throughout Buenos Aires.
Similar to exercise machines, you can use these courts and tables freely without making a reservation. Keep in mind that they are public and available for anyone to use.
For playing football or basketball, or using ping-pong tables, you need to bring your own equipment: balls and paddles.
To find these courts and tables free without waiting, it’s best to visit them early in the morning on weekends or during working hours on weekdays.
Marathons
Did you know that many marathon competitions are held in Buenos Aires each year? This tradition takes place throughout the year and mainly in the areas of Puerto Madero, Palermo, Costanera Norte and Vicente López.
Marathons are organized by the public sector or by private companies. Registration is very easy and they can be from 3 kilometers onwards. Some competitions offer various distances to choose from depending on the physical abilities of the participants.
Some marathons are organized for charitable purposes. In short, it is an excellent opportunity to run and practice physical activity with the stimulus that a competition offers.
(Featured Image Source: Suterh Osperyh/flickr.com)
