Ways to save money on your trip to Argentina

This guest post from Morin at IndieTravel.net gives you some great tips on how to save money on vacation in Argentina.

Argentina is one of the most popular and fascinating destinations to visit in South America. From the urban pleasures of Buenos Aires to the amazing Iguazu Falls and the beautiful nature in Patagonia, this cosmopolitan country has a lot to offer its visitors. With the stabilization of the economy in recent years there is still inflation in Argentina and so prices are rising and changing constantly. So whether you’re planning a long trip or just a short vacation, traveling to Argentina can get quite expensive. Here are some essential saving tips to help you plan your travel budget wisely for you next trip to Argentina.

The widest street in the world - Avenida 9 de Julio, with the ‘The obelisk’ in Buenos Aires. Photo by Indietravel.net

Transportation

Argentina contains a fantastic bus network of both short and long distances. You will find high quality service on the longer destination buses, and can even expect food and alcohol on all rides longer than 200 kilometers. Buses are generally much cheaper than any airfare could be, so your best option between the two is definitely to travel by bus if you want to save your money. Train systems are also improving and can be a beautiful way to travel the country. The government is trying to re-establish long distance train coaches between major cities. There are already locomotive services between Buenos Aires, Rosario, and Cordoba, which are the country’s three largest cities. Buses are still cheaper than trains, but you can find good deals for the long distance rides aboard a train.

Of course, the cheapest way to travel around any city is on foot. This will give you great stories as you see the city from your own point of view. If you must have local transportation, a city bus or a taxi will generally be much cheaper than renting a car, and taxis are very abundant in most cities.

Accommodation

A home exchange available in Buenos Aires

There are so many budget accommodations available in Argentina. One of the cheapest and most common ways to stay in any Argentinean city is to stay in a hostel. There are handfuls of affordable and artsy hostels, and you will have no trouble finding one that suits you. Most of them have a great location, as well. Of course, like any major city you could visit, you will find ritzy resorts in the cities of Argentina. These will no doubt come at a cost, so if you need to save money you will want to find a small hotel, motel, or hostel, as was mentioned. Another great option can be house swapping or couchsurfing. These are definitely the best alternatives to save money on accommodation; they also offer up a great and unique experience. You will also want to travel off-season for the best deals, which for Argentina are March through June and September through November.

Food

Delicious budget food in Argentina. Photo by Indietravel.net

There are many strategies for saving money on food when traveling to Argentina. There are many cheap and delicious bakeries for breakfast or a snack, and for lunch you can always find a Tenedor Libre, which are affordable buffet restaurants. Parrillas, or grills, is another great option, where huge plates of meat are served with mountains of fries and salad. All the food is tasty and affordable in these types of places; just make sure you always pay in Argentinean currency. Lunch is usually cheaper so you can always have a big lunch and a light dinner.

Delicious meat in Argentina. Photo by Indietravel.net

Sights and Activities

Puente de la Mujer (translated as the “Women’s Bridge” in Buenos Aires - a swing-bridge that connects Puerto Madero to the mainland hub of Plaza de Mayo.

Activities are usually more expensive in Argentina than other South American countries. You can travel off season to have cheaper prices and use a guide book for self-guided tours on foot. There are many galleries, markets, parks, and museums to walk through, and you will find these are the cheaper activity options, especially if you are travelling in season.

A big thanks to Morin from Indietravel.net for her helpful post on traveling in Argentina!

Visit Argentina on a home exchange and have more money to spend on sightseeing and yummy food! Check out CasaVersa to find a great home swap in Argentina.