The irony of visiting a botanical garden in Buenos Aires - possibly the greenest city I've ever…read morebeen in - was not lost on me. It most certainly is not a must-do experience as, if you walk there from wherever, you're likely to pass so many expansive, grassy, tree-filled parks that you'll question why you're not just stopping now. I'm actually a much bigger fan of green parks than botanic gardens (even free ones like this) as I generally care little about plant species or origins. But I came here and found it to be a nice experience. Ample benches in the shade of trees provide a nice spot to hang out and many were doing just that. I spotted a couple sitting on a bench reading actual paperback books and thought "my tribe" before I noticed that I was feeling things bite me ever so often as I strolled through. So I'm probably not hanging out here for long. There were several places that should have held water (ponds, I guess) but they were, sorrowfully, dry on this visit. I do like a water feature. There's also statues and greenhouses (not open to visitors). There's absolutely no reason to head here but if you do, it's a nice place to stroll through on your way to, perhaps, areas with more grass and fewer insects.

Interesting free garden. There are lots of different plant varieties and specimens to view. The…read moreonly thing that holds this attraction back from a 5 star experience, is the neglect that some areas of the garden are experiencing. I'd say about 80% of the garden is well-maintained, but there are some areas of overgrowth that need some attention. In addition to the plants and trees, there's some beautiful sculptures and seating areas to admire all the natural beauty. Also, you get a real sense of how Argentinians spend their free time. You'd be hard pressed not to find the locals socializing and admiring the natural beauty without their ubiquitous Mate in hand. There are also several hauntingly beautiful glass greenhouses on site dating to the Belle Epoch era. It's fun to get a close up look and not only see into the greenhouses themselves, but take in all the architectural details that make these buildings so unique. Overall a Jardín Botánico is a wonderful place to spend a couple of hours, it just needs more upkeep. There are free restroom facilities as well, so you really can enjoy at your own pace.

If I'm not mistaken, this is the largest Japanese Garden outside of Japan. It's a pretty large park…read morewith lots of pathways, water features and sculptures celebrating Japanese culture, right in the thick of bustling Buenos Aires. There were lots of pathways to take meandering walks and enjoy the scenery. It was pretty busy, so there were times where it was a bit packed to get unobstructed views to take photos, and there were lots of folks taking selfies and posing for pictures. In the surrounding ponds you'll find koi fish as well as some sassy ducks that are pretty unusual. It's really quite amazing how well executed this garden is- it really has the feel of a Japanese Garden. There is also a food pavilion where you can get beverages and light snacks. One of the more impressive sights we saw were large wood carvings made to represent geishas that were made of reclaimed eucalyptus. After a storm brought down these huge trees, a sculptor came around and created a new purpose for them. Very impressive! Overall, Jardín Japonés is a great 1-2 hour long activity that transports you to the peaceful and tranquil gardens of Japan. It can get busy, so be prepared for lots of people taking pictures.

In a city that has - everywhere - blocks-long, free, clean, ultra-green parks and plazas in which…read moreto hang out one would be right to question why anyone would ever choose to pay to enter a similar environment. Chalk it up to curiosity. Days earlier we'd been intrigued when driven past Jardín Japonés and when we stumbled upon it while trekking back from somewhere else an immediate decision was made: we're going to this Japanese garden. It was late afternoon and summer in Buenos Aires and it felt like I was walking through fire. The green grass in this park is entirely off-limits as you stroll along sun-baked asphalt paths to view the Japanese structures, sculptures, and water features. There's benches to sit on but they, too, are placed almost entirely in full-sun locations. So my time here was rather brief; I literally couldn't get comfortable. In addition to koi ponds, food/drink stands, and gift shops, this well-curated park also features performances. As I enjoyed a cold drink a gaggle of kimono-clad women passed by en route to the stage where they performed (dance). I can't say I found this park enjoyable but I could see that it would be had I been there on a day and time that wasn't boiling.