Recoleta Cemetery (Cementerio de la Recoleta)

A city of the dead in the middle of Recoleta — 4,600+ ornate mausoleums along marble streets, including Evita's surprisingly modest tomb. It's the most extraordinary cemetery in the Americas and a legitimate must-see. Non-residents now pay an entry fee of roughly US$15 (card only at the gate); Argentines enter free. Worth every peso.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Who else is buried in Recoleta Cemetery?

A who's who of Argentina: presidents (Sarmiento, Mitre), independence heroes, Nobel laureates, writers, and boxing champion Luis Ángel Firpo standing in bronze by his door. More than a few tombs are National Historic Monuments in their own right.

How long should I spend at the cemetery?

Ninety minutes to two hours is the sweet spot — enough to find the famous tombs, then get deliberately lost in the quieter back lanes, which are the best part. Architecture nerds and photographers can easily burn a half day.

How much does Recoleta Cemetery cost to enter?

Non-residents pay an entry fee of roughly US$15 in pesos (recently around ARS 21,000-24,000 — it tracks inflation, so expect drift). Payment at the gate is by credit or debit card only, no cash. Argentine residents enter free with DNI.

What are Recoleta Cemetery's hours?

Daily 9am to 5pm, 365 days a year. Go right at opening — by 11am the lanes around the famous tombs fill with tour groups, and the place is far more atmospheric when it's quiet.

Where is Evita's tomb and is it hard to find?

Eva Perón rests in the Duarte family vault — surprisingly plain, down a side passage, marked by plaques and usually flowers. Maps at the entrance mark it, or just follow the cluster of people. Her body's journey to get here is one of the wildest stories in Argentine history — read it before you go.

What should I do near the cemetery afterward?

You're in prime Recoleta: the free Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes is 10 minutes away, the giant Floralis Genérica flower sculpture beyond that, and the century-old La Biela cafe faces the cemetery plaza under a massive rubber tree. El Ateneo bookstore is a 15-minute walk.

Is Recoleta Cemetery wheelchair accessible?

The main avenues are flat and paved and workable for wheelchairs, though many side passages are narrow with uneven stones and occasional steps. The entrance itself is level. You can see the highlights, including Evita's vault area, on the accessible main lanes.

Do I need a guided tour of Recoleta Cemetery?

Not required, but this is a place where stories are everything — Rufina who was buried alive, the deal David Alleno made, dueling rivals buried facing away from each other. A guided tour or a good audio guide roughly doubles what you'll get out of it.

Nearby in Ask Buenos Aires

• RecoletaNeighborhood0.06 km · 1 min walk
• Café La BielaCafé0.06 km · 1 min walk
• Museo Nacional de Bellas ArtesMuseum0.39 km · 5 min walk
• Floralis GenéricaAttraction0.65 km · 8 min walk
• Presidente BarBar0.7 km · 9 min walk