Argentina Budget Guide: Is Argentina Expensive?

This is a post I originally put off writing for 8 years.

Money in Argentina is tricky and inflation is beyond high.

The country suffered a whopping 110% inflation in 2024 alone and since Milei won the presidency prices have skyrocketed to new highs.

With that in mind, you can be guaranteed that any blog posts that quote prices in pesos are out of date, even if it was written only a few months ago.

If it was written a few years ago, forget about it.

Those numbers are useless.

So, maintaining an article about prices in Argentina is not something I enjoy doing (cue the world’s tiniest violin for me).

But I understand creating a travel budget is important, so here it is.

Here is my version of an Argentina budget travel guide (with prices in dollar equivalent to keep it as relevant as possible).

Is Argentina Expensive?

With all that inflation, you’d be forgiven for being confused.

Is Argentina expensive or is Argentina cheap?

The answer is, it depends.

The economy here is notoriously volatile and depending on what currency measures are in place it can be a great budget destination or an expensive splurge.

Through 2023 it was very, very affordable here for those coming with dollars in their pocket.

In 2025, with President Milei in office things changed and quickly. He immediately followed through on his promises to devalue the peso and inflation has been through the roof in 2024.

And this goes for those of you with dollars as well, things are expensive in dollars today. Argentina is not the budget destination it was two years ago.

Milei’s defenders tout that inflation is slowing and it is. But that does NOT mean that prices are coming down, they aren’t.

With all of that said, even with recent inflation Argentina is still very affordable for travelers.

So, don’t write her off quite yet.

If you want to learn more about money exchange here, read my guide to money in Argentina (to avoid being repetitive I’ll leave anything about the blue dollar, pesos vs. dollars, etc for that post.)

Argentina Travel Budget: What are the prices in Argentina?

Alright, let’s get down to it.

What are the prices in Argentina, what kind of numbers are we working with?

Here are a few examples on what you’ll spend eating here.

All prices are to be taken as a “mas o menos” since a coffee and pastry at your regular neighborhood café will vary from the fancy hipster café in Palermo.

The exchange to dollars is also a “mas o menos” math since the rate fluctuates regularly.

Basically… take this whole thing as a loose guide.

• Café con leche: $2,000 pesos ($2 USD)
• Medialuna (pastry) in a café: $1,000 ($1 USD)
• Empanadas: $1,500 +/- each ($1.50 USD)
• Steak Dinner: $15-20 USD per person for the beef ($30-40 for the whole meal). This is at your mid-range parrilla, it’s nice but it isn’t Don Julio. It also isn’t your greasy spoon parrilla (as in, you can spend much less!)
• Hostel Dorms: $25 USD a bed
• Hostel Private rooms: $50-100(!) USD a room
• Airbnbs: $50-100 USD and up a night, will be more for more than one bedroom
• Taxi: $3,000-$7,000 pesos ($3-7 USD) average ride
• Public Transportation (Subway, bus, train): $500 pesos average or 50 cents US

Argentina on a budget: Cost Cutting Tips

Want to travel Argentina on a budget?

Here are some tips to save some pesos.

• TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION | The subway system is very easy to manage. The bus can be more intimidating but if you conquer it, all of Buenos Aires will be at your fingertips for pennies. The bus is also easy in Bariloche connecting all the major sites. It’s doable in Mendoza, as well. Read more: All about public transportation in Buenos Aires
• AVOID SUMMER | From Christmas through February (January being the peak of the peak) is the busiest and the most expensive time to travel Argentina. Avoid it to save money, stick with the shoulder season (Fall and Spring). Read more: When to visit Argentina
• CAMP | A lot of areas have free or very cheap campgrounds, for example along the 7 Lakes Route there are a number of campsites. We saw a beautiful campsite on the laguna in the Ibera Wetlands. Some Patagonia hostels (especially in El Chalten) allow you to pitch a tent outside.
• HITCH HIKE | I don’t love recommending this (be safe!) but it’s not unheard of to hitch here, or as the locals say – viajar al dedo. Only consider this if you’re in no hurry, you could be waiting a while before you get picked up and the distances here are vast.
• BRING EVERYTHING YOU NEED | Imports in Argentina are hard to come by or expensive. Don’t plan on shopping here, bring all your camping and hiking equipment with you, for reference read my expat Argentina packing list (highlights pricier items more than my travelers Argentina packing list).
• FLY BUDGET AIRLINES | Long distance bus travel used to be the cheapest, but these days budget airlines (FlyBondi and Jetsmart) rival and often beat the bus prices. Pack carry on only to avoid additional fees (think Ryan Air). Warning – As of 2025 FlyBondi has been getting a lot of bad press for cancellations. If you can, opt for Jetsmart.
• BUT DON’T DISCARD THE BUS | Bus travel is still very affordable, and in some places, easiest. Want to travel in Jujuy without a rental car? Take the bus. Check the following sites for routes and prices: Plataforma 10, Central de Pasajes, Busbud

Eating on a Budget in Argentina

Surprise, it’s not cheap to eat out in Argentina right now.

If you walk into the average specialty coffee shop you could easily drop $13 US on a pastry and coffee. How is this possible when I spent $15 dollars on steak and wine in 2022 (Argentina, you’re a wild ride).

But if you know where to eat, you can eat well and still make your budget last. Here are some tips:

• Eat in or get takeaway – Staying in an apartment/cabin? Get empanadas to go or order in for delivery if you’re in Buenos Aires.
• Like wine? Me too. Get wine at your local Chino minimarket. They have the best prices in town.
• Embrace the Bodegones – These local establishments are everywhere but really shine in Buenos Aires. These are where the locals go. Bodegones specialize in rotisserie chicken, stews, and tortilla just like mama made and usually have affordable weekday lunch specials. Read more: The best bodegones in Buenos Aires
• Rotiserias – Want dinner in your Airbnb or hostel? Search for rotiserias near me and pick up a chicken dinner with sides like mashed pumpkin on a budget.
• Follow the locals – Sure, it’s amazing, but you don’t have to eat at pricey Don Julio – parrillas (steakhouses) are a dime a dozen in Argentina. Keep your eyes open as you walk and you’re sure to stumble up plenty that have affordable menus compared to those you’re seeing in Palermo.
• Go on a food tour – You’re on a budget but you’re still on holiday, go on a food tour. Here are the best food tours in Buenos Aires to choose from. You’ll try a wide sampling of local restaurants and get a local guide that can suggest their favorites for the rest of your stay.
• Casas de pasta – Argentina’s Italian influence shines bright in their fresh pasta houses all over the country. In Google Maps search for “casa de pasta near me.” These pasta houses make fresh raviolis, lasagnas, noodles, sauces, and even dessert. You can pick up your dinner to boil in your Airbnb or Cabin kitchen. They’re all over Buenos Aires but don’t write off local flavors across Argentina. I love the deer and the lamb raviolis in Nicoletto in Villa La Angostura, Piu Pasta in Bariloche is similar.
• The Panaderias (bakeries) are your friend for a cheap lunch. Think empanadas, savory tartas, tortillas, and sandwiches. If hiking in Patagonia, this is the best way to get a picnic for your outings.

Argentina Budget Accommodation: where to Stay

Here are some top hostels in Argentina for budget backpackers:

• Che Juan | Buenos Aires, downtown
• Parlal Hostel | Buenos Aires, downtown
• Maleva Murana Hostel | Buenos Aires, Palermo
• Penthouse 1004 | Bariloche
• America del Sur | El Calafate
• Patagonia Hostel | El Chalten
• Oshovia Hostel | Ushuaia
• Gorilla Hostel | Mendoza
• The Host Bed & Meeting | Iguazu Falls

Here are some tips on how to look for places to stay in Argentina:

• BOOKING.COM | Not original, I know, but it is the most common third party site for hotels here and you’ll find a LOT of options here, including hostels and even rental apartments/homes. To pay in pesos in person, set it to pay on arrival instead of paying in advance.
• COUCHSURFING | Check out Couchsurfing for places to stay and meet ups
• GOOGLE IT | Search for even more local options by searching for keywords like hospedaje, alojamiento, or cabañas + destination name, you might stumble upon a budget friendly spot. Keep in mind they might not speak English or ask you to message them on WhatsApp (as they’re targeting Argentine tourists). It’s more work than booking, but if you’re determined and speak a bit of Spanish, it’s worth a try.
• MERCADO LIBRE | This tip is for the locals, if you’re an expat here and can do a lot more leg work and speak Spanish, Mercado Libre (like eBay) has a lot of rental properties. You have do a lot of work contacting them for prices and then when you want to book they will always ask for at least 50% deposit by bank transfer (I usually do this by an ATM deposit). It’s not something I recommend for tourists from abroad but if you live here, give it a try.

And my final tip, don’t get too greedy.

Take into account how much work you really want to do. Do you want to spend days going back and forth on prices with multiple cabins, then find a way to do a bank transfer to them to reserve just to save $100 dollars?

If you’re coming on vacation, don’t put yourself through so much hassle that you end up overly stressed while planning. Remember, this is supposed to be fun.

For most people reading this, booking.com, Airbnb, or VRBO will be the best and easiest option.

They all have very competitive prices compared to comparable properties in the US or Europe, even if you can’t get the dollar blue rate.

More Argentina Logistical Guides

• The Best Time to Visit Argentina
• How to get a Sim Card in Argentina
• What adaptor do you need in Argentina?
• Argentina Packing List: Everything You Need
• The Most Beautiful places to go in Argentina
• 27 Popular Foods in Argentina You Have to Try

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