Buenos Aires is a world class city that not too many Americans get a chance to visit. The capital of Argentina, this city is a vibrant tapestry of cultural histories coming together. While there are many tours that cover the basics, exploring a city with so much depth and history deserves unique and specific itineraries. That’s where Lunfarda Travel comes in. This boutique agency, founded by passionate local guide named Mariana Radisic Koliren, takes visitors beyond the traditional city highlights, offering a deep dive into the rich, yet often overlooked, cultural and social layers of this fascinating city.
What sets Lunfarda apart is its mission to highlight the diversity and resilience of Buenos Aires, especially through the eyes of marginalized communities. The company offers tours such as a Jewish heritage tour, an Afro-Argentine heritage tour, an LGBTQ+ tour, and far more. Not only does Lunfarda shine a light on these communities and their history, they also focus on economically empowering them and creating real-world impact through tourism.
Lunfarda also offers far more than specific community tours, they also crafts experiences that celebrate the city’s vibrant culture. Whether it’s a food tour that showcases locally owned restaurants, a street art tour that highlights Buenos Aires’ urban artists, or a football tour that explores the local history of the beautiful game, the company constantly seeks to give exposure to the city’s creativity.
When Koliren had the idea for these localized tours, her previous employer told her there was no market for it, so she started her own business. Being Jewish herself, Koliren described leading a Jewish heritage tour as “validating and empowering.” She used the proof of concept to launch tours with other communities, highlighting their histories while promoting their businesses. Lunfarda now employs dozens of other guides, who Koliren sees as the heart of the company. Guides are encouraged to contribute their own insights, which results in tours that give an authentic and personal experience from a local, as opposed to a cut-and-paste script. The company’s dedication to diversity of voices, initially seen as a risk by some, has become its biggest strength.
Lunfarda offers nearly 30 unique tours, of which we took two. The Buenos Aires foodie extravaganza tour was delicious, including introducing us to the local tradition of making mate, a tea drink you can’t just order in restaurants or coffee shops. Even more unique was our Jewish heritage walking tour. We were led by Julia, an Afro-Jewish local with a fascinating backstory. She started as the first guide for a Black History tour in Argentina, and is currently training five Afro-Argentines to follow in her footsteps, as well as working with companies around the world to showcase Argentina’s Afro tourism.
We started at the Jewish Museum of Buenos Aires in Templo Libertad, a beautiful synagogue and the oldest in Argentina. Julia took us to Plaza de Mayo and explained the fascinating history of the country and its struggles overcoming military dictatorships over the years. She also showed us the site of the AMIA bombing, a Hezbollah-led terrorist attack in the 90s on the city’s Jewish community center that killed 85 and injured hundreds of others. Outside the reconstructed center, she showed us murals and tributes to the victims that also highlighted the corruption of subsequent investigations. We also visited the site of an attack on the old Israeli embassy, ate at a Jewish restaurant, and walked around Once, a thriving Jewish neighborhood. Anyone remotely interested in the rich and fascinating Jewish history of Buenos Aires would love this tour.
Lunfarda Travel offers a much-needed alternative for travelers looking to engage deeply with Buenos Aires’ hidden stories. The company challenges conventions and provides a platform for unique voices to be heard—all while ensuring that tourism has a positive, lasting impact on the city’s diverse communities. For anyone seeking a meaningful and personal travel experience in Buenos Aires, Lunfarda is the go-to agency for tours that are both educational and transformative.
You can book with Lunfarda Travel at www.lunfardatravel.com or by emailing hello@lunfardatravel.com.