How to Explore Buenos Aires on a Low-Budget: 6 Best Tips

How to Explore Buenos Aires on a Low-Budget: 6 Best Tips

We all know Buenos Aires is not one of the cheapest destinations in South America to learn Spanish. So once you have registered for your Spanish classes in Buenos Aires – or, even before you do -, you might worry about your budget and your opportunities to fully explore the Argentine Capital!

Don’t let a limited budget hold you back!! Buenos Aires is for everyone! As a student on a budget, you will have the same experiences (or even better!) in this beautiful city as travelers or students wth a higher budget than you. The capital of Argentina offers you tons of opportunities to enjoy and discover the city on a low-budget.

Tip 1 – How much does food cost in Buenos Aires
 
First things first, food! You probably are aware of the fact that Buenos Aires is also the capital of MEAT. In Europe and other Western countries, a tenderloin steak is not for those living on a low budget. Thankfully, Argentine steaks are sold and prepared for much cheaper. At many upscale restaurants, you can find good, quality food for a relatively low price.

The prices also vary by neighborhood; if you try to find a cheap spot in the fancy Recoleta barrio, you will be disappointed. However, by visiting other neighborhoods like the authentic San Telmo, the trendy Palermo or other less upscale areas, you can find cheap places quickly.

 

 

Here are some examples of cheap dining in Buenos Aires:

• Las Cabras: Fitz Roy 1795, C1414CHY CABA, Argentinië
• Don Niceto: Av. Cnel. Niceto Vega 5255
• Chan Chan: Av. Hipólito Yrigoyen 1390
• La Poesia: Chile 502, C1098AAL CABA
• Casa Munay: C1425DBO, Av. Raúl Scalabrini Ortiz 2018
• Güerrin Pizza: Av. Corrientes 1368, C1043ABN CABA

Tip 2 – is Argentina expensive to visit? We’d say: NO
 
Although Buenos Aires is a big city, many of the prettiest things in Buenos Aires can be seen by just walking (a lot!), and AMAUTA Spanish School in Buenos Aires is located very close to many famous sites! On top of that, many of them are either free or discounted for students! Remember you are not the only backpacker/student/traveler without many pesos, so there are plenty of cheap places enjoy. As a result, you are certainly able to have the full Buenos Aires experience without the high prices!

If you need to take transport, it’s good to know that Buenos Aires has a good public transportation (underground and buses).
 

Tip 3 – Cost of Living in Buenos Aires
 
Next up, accommodation! Living in Buenos Aires can be a bit expensive. If you have chosen to live with an Argentine host family, to fully experience your Spanish immersion adventure, you don’t have to worry about your accommodation.

 

 

But if you just registered for a Spanish course in Buenos Aires without accommodation, you need to take care of your own lodging. With websites such as Airbnb, Couchsurfing, and Hostelworld, cheap accommodation in Buenos Aires is pretty accessible. Throughout the city, there are plenty of low budget hostels and hotels.

Here are some examples of cheap accommodation in Buenos Aires:

• Play Hostel: Guatemala 4636, Palermo, 1425 Buenos Aires, Argentinië
• Hostel de Granados: Chile 374, 1098AAH CABA
• Milhouse: Av. Hipólito Yrigoyen 959, 1086 Buenos Aires
• Hostel Art Factory: Piedras 545, C1070AAK CABA
• Hostel Mantenegase: Carlos Calvo 651
• Hostel sol: Lima 1169

 

Tip 4 – Things to do for free in Buenos Aires
 
And last but not least: how to have full Buenos Aires experience, (as in sightseeing and excursions) without spending too much? You are lucky because Buenos Aires offers many free walking tours! The goal of these tours is to show foreigners how beautiful their city is, for free! However, the guide will likely ask you to give them the money you think they deserve for giving this tour, but that amount is totally up to you! Many guides are very young, enthusiastic and happy to show you around while telling you all the ins and outs of the city, as well as some fun facts.

 

 

Look up these websites for the practical information about tours in Buenos Aires:
www.buenosairesfreewalks.com
www.bafreetour.com
 

Tip 5 – Museum Visit in Buenos Aires
 
If you want to visit a museum in the Argentine Capital, do not forget to bring your student ID card to get the discount that many museums provide. Luckily, many museums are also free to students or the general public.

Here are some free museums in Buenos Aires:

• Museum of Fine Arts
• Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires
• Museo Casa Carlos Garde: FREE only on Wednesdays!!!

 

 

Tip 6 – Fun Things to Do in Buenos Aires for free
 
Other beautiful FREE sites in Buenos Aires that you can visit without paying a peso are:

• The Cemetery of Recoleta,
• Teatro Colon (on Sunday morning, see their website),
• The San Telmo market,
• Chinatown in Belgrano,
• El Obelisco,
• The Ecological Reserve,
• The Botanical Gardens,
• The Parks of Palermo,
• El Ateneo bookstore, and
• Avenida Corrientes & Calle Florida
• Puerto Madero
• El Caminito and the famous La Boca neighborhood

Besides, even though the architecture is beautiful, the magic of Buenos Aires lies in the streets! The whole city lights up at night, providing a beautiful (and cheap!) sight. Take a stroll in one of the pretty, traditional neighborhoods! There are many great neighborhoods to explore, each with their own unique atmosphere. The best ones are La Boca, San Telmo, Recoleta, Palermo, Belgrano, and Retiro!

 

 

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