Argentina is an amazing country with stunning landscapes, delicious food, and rich culture. But don’t worry—you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy it. With a little planning, you can experience Argentina on a budget without sacrificing the journey. Here’s how to save money on accommodation, food, transport, and attractions while still soaking up everything Argentina has to offer.
Accommodation: Affordable Places to Stay
Accommodation is where you can save a lot. Hostels are your best friend in Argentina. You’ll find plenty of hostels in every major city, especially in Buenos Aires. Dormitory rooms typically cost around 1,500-3,000 ARS (Argentine pesos) per night, with some higher-end places offering private rooms for a little more.
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If you prefer a quieter option, guesthouses or budget hotels are another excellent option. They are inexpensive and often include breakfast. Prices vary between 4,000-6,500 ARS for a double room.
Want to save even more? Use Couchsurfing. It’s a great way to meet locals and stay for free. Argentina has an active Couchsurfing community, and locals are generally welcoming and open to hosting tourists.
Accommodation Tips for Saving Money
Book ahead: You’ll get better deals if you book your accommodation early, especially in touristy areas like Buenos Aires or Bariloche.
Consider hostels with kitchens: This will allow you to cook your own meals and save more money.
Stay outside the center: Locations just outside popular downtown areas are often much cheaper.
Food: Eating Well Without Spending Much
The good news is that food in Argentina is affordable, and you don’t have to go hungry to save money! Eating out is cheap compared to many other countries, especially if you stick to local spots and avoid tourist traps.
Street food is really popular, and you have to try the empanadas. You can grab a couple of empanadas for around 100-200 ARS. Lomitos, choripán, and pizzas sold by the slice are also cheap and filling. You’ll find local markets are perfect for low-cost snacks.
For a sit-down experience, look for “menu del día” or daily special menus. They’re common in most parts of Argentina and offer a full meal (usually including bread, a drink, and dessert) for around 1,500-2,500 ARS.
Food Tips for Saving Money
Cook at your hostel: If you’re staying in a hostel with a kitchen, head to a local supermarket or street market and cook some meals yourself.
Eat where locals eat: Local markets, small family-owned restaurants, and food stalls offer cheaper and tastier food compared to tourist restaurants.
Take advantage of lunch specials: Many places offer cheaper menus at lunchtime, so fill up during the day and have a lighter dinner.
Transportation: Getting Around Cheaply
Argentina is huge, but luckily, transportation isn’t too expensive if you use the right methods. Buses are the most budget-friendly way to get around. Long-distance buses (known as “micro”) are affordable and comfortable. A trip from Buenos Aires to Mendoza, for example, costs around 15,000-20,000 ARS.
If you plan to travel a lot by bus, it might be worth upgrading to a semi-cama or cama seat. You’ll pay a bit more, but it’s still affordable and much more comfortable for long hauls.
Domestic flights make sense if you’re short on time and book in advance. Low-cost carriers like Flybondi often offer cheap flights. Keep an eye out for promotions!
In cities like Buenos Aires or Mendoza, public transportation is your friend. Buy a SUBE card for the bus, metro, and train system. A single ride on the bus or metro in Buenos Aires costs only around 60-80 ARS.
Transportation Tips for Saving Money
Use night buses: An overnight bus journey will save you the cost of a night’s accommodation while traveling to your next destination.
Get a SUBE card: Public transport in Buenos Aires is very cheap. With a SUBE card, you can take buses, the subway, and even commuter trains.
Check for flight deals: Low-cost airlines like Flybondi and JetSmart often have great deals on domestic flights.
Sightseeing: Free and Cheap Activities
Argentina is full of natural beauty and historic sites, and you don’t have to spend much to see a lot of it. Many of the best things to do are either free or very cheap.
In Buenos Aires, you can explore many neighborhoods on foot. Check out San Telmo, Recoleta, and Palermo without spending a cent. The street art in Palermo is particularly worth seeing, and you can spend hours walking around admiring the murals.
Free walking tours are also fantastic. Many neighborhoods in Buenos Aires and even cities like Mendoza offer these “tips-based” tours, so you only pay what you can afford at the end. It’s a great way to learn more about the city from a local.
Nature lovers will find plenty of budget-friendly options in Argentina. The vast network of national parks is either free or requires a small entry fee. For example, Nahuel Huapi National Park in Bariloche is free to enter, while a ticket to Iguazu National Park costs around 9,000 ARS but is well worth it.
Free and Low-Cost Activities Across Argentina
Explore Buenos Aires on foot: Walk through the famous markets, historic areas like La Boca, and beautiful parks like Rosedal or the Botanical Garden.
Visit museums: Many museums in Buenos Aires, like the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, offer free admission. Others, like the MALBA, have discounts on certain days.
Experience nature: Argentina’s national parks, like El Chaltén’s trails and the desert at Talampaya, offer many low-cost hiking opportunities. Bring your own gear and food to save even more.
Best Budget-Friendly Destinations in Argentina
Beyond the big tourist spots, there are plenty of lesser-visited gems in Argentina that are both spectacular and budget-friendly.
San Antonio de Areco: Just a couple of hours from Buenos Aires, this small town is the heart of gaucho (Argentine cowboy) culture. You can visit traditional estancias (ranches) and explore the countryside with minimal costs.
El Chaltén: This small, laid-back village is the hiking capital of Argentina. Most of the incredible hikes, like the path to Laguna Capri or Laguna de los Tres, are free, and camping is allowed in certain areas for free as well.
Cordoba: A university city with tons of history. You can explore colonial buildings, wander through the peaceful Jesuit Block, and head out to the nearby sierras for some inexpensive outdoor activities.
Pro Tips for Saving Even More
Don’t exchange money at the airport: You’ll get better rates by using Western Union or exchanging USD at a “cambio” (exchange house). Argentina has a strong black market for USD, often offering rates that are much better than the official ones.
Be flexible: Many attractions have discounts on certain days or times, so plan your schedule accordingly to save more.
Travel in the shoulder season: Summer (Dec-Feb) and winter (Jun-Sep) are high seasons. Try visiting in the shoulder season (spring and fall) to avoid both the crowds and the higher prices.
Conclusion
Traveling in Argentina on a budget is entirely possible. By choosing budget accommodation, eating cheap but delicious food, using public transport, and taking advantage of free and low-cost activities, you’ll be able to see the best of the country without blowing your budget. Plus, many of Argentina’s best attractions, like its thriving cities and stunning national parks, don’t cost much to enjoy. Happy travels!
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