Is Argentina Expensive?
Is Argentina expensive and how much do you need when traveling here?
An ever-popular country for travelers to visit, Argentina has lots going for it. Here we can explore the remote wilderness of Patagonia, the desert landscapes near Salta as well as enjoy the electric atmosphere of Buenos Aires.
Whilst usually one of the more expensive countries to visit in South America, the recent economic crash has led to it becoming much more affordable – if not one of the cheapest in the continent at this time!
In this guide we’ll look at the typical costs you can expect when traveling Argentina, such as for accommodation, food and getting around.
As well as recommending some of the best tours you can head on, we’ll also answer your most burning questions in our FAQ section.
Is Argentina Expensive for Tourists?
Quick Answer: At this time of writing (September 2023), Argentina is one of the most inexpensive countries you can visit in Latin America!
Here you can live really well off a daily budget of $25, which includes sleeping in a comfy private room as well as eating out several times a day.
We recommend still bringing USD with you and exchanging them for the blue rate, or instead sending money to yourself via Western Union to avoid extra fees (you can send via your bank and pick up Pesos Argentinos in any branch within the country). Avoid using ATMs where possible, given these still incur higher fees.
Things to know before traveling to Argentina
- Geographical Variety – Argentina is well-known for its bustling cities and remote icy landscapes of Patagonia. And as well as adding these to your itinerary, there’s also many other awesome places too such as the desert landscapes near Salta, the winery region of Mendoza as well as the Lake District near Bariloche.
- Language Differences – Whilst the majority of South America speaks Spanish (and as long as you learn some basic Spanish you’ll find it can be understood relatively easily when changing countries), Argentinian Spanish may take a little longer to adjust too. This is due to certain sounds they change such as the classic “ya” to “sha” sound. You’ll feel this even more when coming in from neighboring Chile which is also a pretty hard accent to understand!
- Stay near the Main Plazas – In Argentina these are usually named after a date, such as Plaza de Mayo (Buenos Aires) as well as 9 de Julio (Salta). These areas are not only the safest, however have many attractions located close-by. They’re also right in the thick of the action, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants, bars and accommodation options for all budgets.
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How much does a trip to Argentina cost?
Budget travelers and backpackers can expect to spend between $20-25 a day in Argentina, whilst those who want a more deluxe experience (such as private rooms, eating in nicer establishments) can budget for around $25-35 a day.
This budget only covers cheap accommodation, food and a few extras (like beers, a walking tour or entrance etc). Other costs such as flights and day tours will need to be planned with a different budget in mind.
Cost of Accommodation in Argentina
There’s a really broad range of accommodation options available in Argentina. Even before the economic crash it was a popular country to backpack, and therefore we can find plenty of great value hostels with dorm beds going for $5-9 a night.
The more deluxe hostels and chains will cost between $9-14 a night. When in Buenos Aires we highly recommend staying in the América del Sur Hostel, which is located within the trendy area of San Telmo.
As of right now, private rooms are really great value and even those of super-low budgets can find decent private rooms in nice areas. They tend to start around $15 in the smaller cities like Salta, whilst you’ll usually spend $20-30 a night.
A great option in the capital is Hotel La Piedad, which has hot showers and is located close to attractions such as the Avenida 9 de Julio as well as Puerto Madero.
Cost of Food in Argentina
Argentinian food can really range in price depending on what you’re after, as well as the type of experience you want.
Those who are looking to keep things cheap can find street foods for as cheap as $1-2, such as Sandwiches de Miga, Empanadas and Choripán.
These are always great options and remain low-cost wherever you are in the country (especially so when traveling through Northern Argentina).
The opposite can also be true, in that food can also be really luxurious and expensive in
Argentina.
If you’re more into fine-dining and eating famous cuts of meat (whilst washing it down with a Malbec or similar), then you’ll spend anywhere from $15-20+ per person.
Whilst it’s not ideal for budget travelers, we highly recommend doing it at least once for the experience (and for the really tasty food too!).
Cost of Transportation in Argentina
The major cost of traveling around Argentina is the long-distance buses.
Whilst it remains the cheapest way of getting around, it’s important to plan a route as you’ll find that “taking a bus here or there” can quickly add up in costs.
For example the bus from Buenos Aires to Salta costs up to $60, whilst from Córdoba to Mendoza will cost around $30-50. We highly recommend booking within the terminal, since soon-departing buses can drop in prices if you’re proactive and ask.
Domestic flights can be a great way of getting around, and whilst usually more expensive, you’d be surprised how discounts can make them similar to bus prices.
One of the best flight routes to use is from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, which will cost around $200. Whilst it seems steep, the bus is almost identical in cost (however it will only take a few hours compared to the giant 50 hour bus journey down south!
You can read our Argentina Itinerary to learn more about travel distances and costs throughout the country.
Cost of Tours & Attractions in Argentina
At this time of writing, heading on tours in Argentina has never been better. Prices are lower whilst ensuring the same level of service and quality, which again is another reason to head here sooner rather than later.
You can book once you’re in the city for cheaper prices. However if you’re in a rush or like everything organized for you, then booking online is the way to go. A great example is this day tour to Martillo Island in Ushuaia, where you’ll get to walk amongst various species of penguins (such as Papuan and Magellanic).
You’ll also find some really memorable tours that are easier to find online, which are usually food or culture related. If you’re heading to Buenos Aires, then we highly recommend this 8-Course Argentine BBQ Experience, where you’ll try a wild variety of meat cuts in what will be a really memorable day. You’ll even learn how to make your own Chimichurri Sauce too!
How Expensive is Argentina FAQs
Here are some popular questions our readers ask when it comes to visiting Argentina:
Is Argentina Expensive for Tourists?
Thanks for reading our guide on how expensive Argentina is.
Known for its diversity, incredible sceneries and bustling cities, Argentina is a fantastic country for travelers to explore.
In just a few weeks you can see many of its highlights, which range from walking around the thundering waterfalls of Iguazú to watching a Tango show in Buenos Aires.
In this guide we’ve looked at how much money you’ll need when traveling around Argentina. This guide focuses more on the minimum needed for low-budget travelers, so of course if you feel like upgrading then by all means go for it!
Be sure to read our Argentina backpacking itinerary to learn how to best use your time when in this incredible South American nation.
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