Estadio Alberto J. Armando (La Bombonera), Capital Federal District, Argentina

4Edward K 5:00 PM Jan 13, 2020

Storied team
If you are a fan of futbol (soccer), a tour of the Bombonera is worth it. Unless you can catch a match. The audio/video exhibits in the museum are inspiring. Boca Juniors have a long & glorious history. It is well celebrated & documented. The stadium portion of the tour was less impressive. The Bombonera is a cathedral of the sport. But empty it is hard to feel the passion. Unfortunately, my visit was over Christmas break. There is 3 different tours: museum only, museum/stadium & visitors locker room, or museum/stadium & home locker room. The area around the stadium, La Boca, is sketchy. Use caution.

4Queen J 5:00 PM Mar 20, 2020

Nice museum and stadium tour
I booked this tour online, mostly because my travel buddy really wanted to visit a soccer stadium in Argentina. Although the Rio de Plata professional futbol stadium is much larger and more impressive, I chose the Boca Jr stadium because the museum and tour seemed more detailed and personal. Here's the scoop: PROS: 1. The online tickets were cheap...around $13 each and included skip the line (not necessary), the tour of the stadium and museum, and view of the locker room. 2. The ticket is good for any time slot for the day reserved. Tours run every hour. I found this convenient since Boca is a bit far from central Buenos Aires. The flexible ticket allowed us more freedom in the schedule and time to look around the La Boca/San Telmo tourist area first. 3. Though I'm not a soccer fanatic, I enjoyed the tour. I was equally impressed and horrified while listening to the explanation of the stadium design - the standing-only section above the visiting team's locker room where Boca Jr fans would stomp and shout to intimidate the opponent, the inclusion of one single bathroom for the entire visitor's section, etc. I know the rest of the world is very intense about fútbol, but... yikes. 4. The museum was well designed and is self-toured after the guided stadium tour. Memorable moments caught on film adorn the walls. A giant soccer ball display appears to float in the middle of the enormous room, but turns out to be a 360° theater in which visitors stand to watch a 20 minute film (in Spanish with English subtitles) highlighting the history of the stadium. Peppered with clips of game highlights, the chants and cheers of the fans reverbrate from all directions, pulling viewers into this world of electrifying enthusiasm as the stadium roars to life on the screen. The film comes to a poignant close, centering on the stadium as a symbol of unity, pride, and honor in the hearts of those who live there. It's quite touching, and almost made me want to take up soccer again. 5. Lots of memorabilia, plaques, statues, players' shirts, and photos. A hallway is lined with life-size photo cut-outs of all the players in their uniforms and visitors can take pictures with them. Staff also takes a picture of each visitor "posing with a player" (against a green screen that superimposes a 3D image of a player in the picture). This photo is free and included in the tour package. 6. The tour includes a stop in the locker room where each player's shirt hangs on the door of his locker. Personally, I don't really understand the appeal of an empty locker room, but to many, this was the best part of the tour. CONS: 1. It's a bit far from central Buenos Aires and takes about 30 to 40min in a taxi or metro/ taxi. (The closest metro stop on the southern Line C, Plaza Constitución, is still a 15 min taxi to La Bombonera.) 2. Online, the "best package" ticket description included a walk on the field, but at that point in the tour, a select few with a different color wristband were allowed to walk down to a small area of the field while the rest of us plebians were herded toward the museum. At the time the wristbands were issued before the tour, I assumed we had access to everything in the description when I bought the tickets. It's not a huge deal, but my friend was disappointed, and if we'd known ahead of time, we would've paid more to be allowed on the field (even though it was supposed to be included already). But once on the tour, no changes can be made or negotiated, so I thought that was a little shady. 3. The tour is entirely in Spanish and the guide spoke very fast. I caught less than half of what he explained, so when my friend didn't translate for me, I just kind of zoned out and felt like the tour was dragging a little. If he'd spoken a little slower, or I'd been more fluent in Argentine Spanish, I would've enjoyed it more. 4. The area of La Boca is known as a dangerous area. It is heavily trafficked by tourists, and as such, is a profitable hub for pickpockets, scam artists, and thieves on motorcycles. Despite its colorful charm, the area is an impoverished one, and tourists should travel in groups, guard possessions diligently, and avoid visiting after 5pm. That said, we went on a rainy day and very few tourists were there. Without any unsuspecting targets to stalk, very few sketchy figures bothered to stick around, so we did not feel unsafe walking the area or standing in front of the stadium, taking pictures. Hope that helps! Enjoy Buenos Aires!