The Autonomous City of Buenos Aires is located in the northeastern part of Buenos Aires Province, on the western shore of the Río de la Plata. It is an autonomous jurisdiction and, although it is geographically integrated into the Buenos Aires metropolitan area, it is not part of Buenos Aires Province. Its territory is predominantly flat, with very gentle slopes characteristic of the Pampas plain, and lies at relatively low elevations above sea level. The eastern boundary is defined by the Río de la Plata, while the Riachuelo forms part of the southern boundary with Buenos Aires Province. The city is almost entirely urbanized, so opportunities for nature observation are concentrated mainly in ecological reserves, parks, green spaces, lakes, and areas associated with rivers and other water bodies. These include the Costanera Sur, Ciudad Universitaria-Costanera Norte, Lago Lugano, and Parque Sarmiento ecological reserves, as well as other large urban green spaces.

From an environmental perspective, the city lies in a transition area between the environments of the Pampas and those associated with the Paraná Delta and Islands and the Río de la Plata shoreline. This can be observed particularly in protected areas near the coast and waterways. The Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve is located between Puerto Madero and the Río de la Plata and covers approximately 350 hectares, including lagoons, wetlands, grasslands, and wooded areas. It has a network of trails and boardwalks for walking. The Ciudad Universitaria-Costanera Norte Ecological Reserve is located beside the Río de la Plata, behind Pavilion 3 of Ciudad Universitaria, and has trails suitable for walking and cycling. In the southern part of the city, the Lago Lugano Ecological Reserve is located near the Riachuelo and close to the Cildáñez stream, with environmental interpretation trails and wetland areas. These reserves are the main spaces specifically designated for the conservation and observation of natural environments within the city.

Access to the city is extensive because it is one of the country´s main transportation centers. It can be reached through numerous national highways and expressways from Buenos Aires Province and other provinces, while Jorge Newbery Airport and Ministro Pistarini International Airport provide air connections. The city also has an extensive railway network, long-distance bus services, an underground metro system, urban buses, and other forms of public transportation. Reaching natural areas does not always require a private vehicle. The Costanera Sur Reserve is close to the Puerto Madero area and can be reached from different parts of the city using public transportation followed by a walk. The Ciudad Universitaria-Costanera Norte Reserve is located within the Ciudad Universitaria area and can be accessed from behind Pavilion 3. The Lago Lugano Reserve can be reached via Avenida 27 de Febrero, near the Olympic Bridge, or through Parque Roca.

Access conditions vary according to the specific site. Ecological reserves have designated opening hours and may impose restrictions on circulation, activities, or access to certain areas. Current city regulations establish rules governing the use and conservation of ecological reserves, so nature observation must be carried out while respecting designated trails, authorized areas, and the rules applicable to each site. Entry to the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve is free, and the reserve may temporarily close under certain weather conditions, including heavy rain or strong winds. The Ciudad Universitaria-Costanera Norte Reserve currently operates from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., while the Lago Lugano Reserve has trails and observation areas and can be accessed from several points in the southern part of the city. Opening hours and access conditions may change and should be checked before visiting. In freely accessible urban parks such as Parque 3 de Febrero, lakes, wooded areas, green spaces, and paths can also be used for nature observation, although they do not have the same protection status as ecological reserves. Trail availability, path conditions, rainfall, and temporary restrictions should be taken into account when planning nature observation routes within the city.