This article helps you figure out if Argentina is expensive to travel. I’ll tell you how much things cost here right now, considering the recent drop in the value of the Argentine peso and what you’ve been hearing in the news. This will help you decide whether to add Argentina to your travel plans and have an idea of the cost of travel in Buenos Aires. In my opinion, Argentina is still a great place to visit!
Read more: where to exchange money in Buenos Aires?
The price of a coffee in Argentina
I update this article regularly because things in Argentina can change fast. This way, you’ll know if it’s cheap or expensive to travel there.
A bit of situation background is needed.
Starting in 2024, the Argentine peso lost 54% of its value compared to the US Dollar. Prices in restaurants, etc shot up quickly in local currency, and for many things like services or gasoline, the price hikes were even higher than the currency drop.
And let’s not forget the most important thing that affects tourists in Argentina: the famous Dollar Blue or Tourist Exchange Rate when using credit cards. Before the currency devaluation, tourists could make up to a 50% profit on their travels. Now, the gap between the official exchange rate and the Dollar Blue/Tourist Exchange rate has narrowed to 10%.
Before I get into the current prices in Argentina, let me explain something. As you’ll see below, the price of a medium coffee in Argentina is almost the same as it was a year ago. The difference lies in the exchange rate, showing clearly that there used to be more profit to be made.
Is Argentina expensive to travel right now?
In my view, traveling to Argentina isn’t expensive compared to a trip to Western Europe. Skipping Argentina means missing out on a stunningly beautiful country rich in culture, activities, and delicious food.
Moreover, Argentina remains a pleasantly uncrowded tourist destination for me. Unlike bustling spots like Yosemite National Park or Paris, where crowds can overwhelm you, Argentina offers a much quieter atmosphere. It’s a place where you can disconnect from the world for a while and immerse yourself in its culture and nature. I highly recommend experiencing it now.
Read more: the currency in Argentina (exchange rates, how to get the best rate,…)
The situation before wasn’t that different either
I’ve discussed the advantages tourists used to enjoy with the Dollar Blue rate when the difference was around 50%. However, as I’ve noted in previous articles, this was an unusual situation. Tourist activity companies would charge visitors at the Dollar Blue rate, meaning tourists would pay the same amount now in USD as they did before. So, the benefit was limited to restaurant visits and local hotels or supermarkets.
During January and February, prices saw a sharp increase while consumption experienced a notable drop. However, prices are now a little bit decreasing again.
Cost of travel in Buenos Aires
Let’s dive into the current (on average) prices in Buenos Aires to give you the best view if Argentina expensive to travel to. You can make a calculation of the cost of travel to Buenos Aires.
- Hotel 3-star hotel double standard room (1 night): 70 USD
- Airbnb apartment 2 bedroom (1 night): 50 USD
- Dinner for 2 people (bottle of water, 2 glasses of wine, shared starter, steak, and dessert): 40 USD
- Medialuna (sweet traditional pastry): 0,95 USD
- Coffee with milk: +/- 2,30 USD
- One-way ticket subway: 0,67 USD (for subway) 1 USD (for bus)
- Bottle of water (500 ml): 0,95 USD
An interesting note: some neighborhoods such as Palermo are trendy and there the prices can be slightly higher.
Discover here the best hotel in Buenos Aires for any budget
Prices in outside of Buenos Aires are different
Things cost less outside of Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires usually has higher prices. For example, I often go to San Pedro, which is a two-hour drive from the city. In San Pedro, a medium coffee with milk costs 2.05 USD, while in Buenos Aires, it’s 2.35 USD. But if you go even further north in Argentina, prices are even lower. It’s good to keep in mind.
Read more: where to exchange money in Patagonia
Daily budget in Buenos Aires
I would now calculate 35 USD per person per day in Buenos Aires. This includes:
– breakfast (coffee and medialuna): 3,50 USD
– lunch (2 empanadas or lunch in cafe with drink): 12,00 USD
– dinner (main, dessert and drinks): 20,00 USD
– public transport: 2,00 USD
Argentina expensive to travel: budget tips
It is interesting to read my articles about exchanging money in Argentina and the best places. This will give you already a 10% benefit. Below I give you more interesting tips for your travel to Argentina on a budget:
- Travel out of season: the busy season is from November to February. Accommodation will definitely be cheaper. Also, check the Argentina national holiday calendar to avoid peak times for national tourism.
- Hostels: Swap pricey hotel suites for dorm rooms in hostels. Sharing a room splits the costs, and bunk rooms let you meet others who might want to explore together. Check out here the best hostels in Buenos Aires.
- Book the flights in advance: Booking international flights well ahead of time usually saves a lot of money, and the same goes for domestic flights. I wrote an article sharing smart tips for saving money on flight connections.
- Take-out food: Getting delivery or takeaway in Buenos Aires is really simple, and you can order almost anything online. Empanadas are a popular takeout option in Argentina and are very delicious. PedidosYa and Rappi are the food delivery apps to use. International credit cards are accepted on the apps.
Argentina Travel checklist
I would like to help you with my Argentina First-Time travelers checklist. Questions will be answered such as: Do you need a VISA? Electric Plug type in Argentina, where to stay, how much cash to bring with you and more.
Click here to read the first time traveler checklist
