12 Ways to Save Money in Argentina

Argentina is a notoriously expensive country. Years of economic mismanagement and economic depression has led to rampant inflation, a black market for currency, and wildly fluctuating prices for just about everything. Before my visit, the country used to be a bargain. But I had low expectations for “doing Argentina on a budget.”

However, I was pleasantly surprised and found that, while some things were expensive, Argentina still had plenty of opportunities to save money.

Yes, the country is not as cheap as nearby Chile, Peru, or Bolivia, but Argentina doesn’t need to break the bank either.

You just need to get creative.

To help you save money on your next trip to Argentina, here are a few destination-specific travel tips that will help you keep your budget intact as you explore this incredible country:

Note: The country’s economic fortunes change rapidly and the currency and prices are constantly in flux. Keep that in mind when booking as prices may have changed since we last updated this article.

 

1. Hitchhike

While not super common in the north of the country, if you’re in Patagonia, you’ll see many locals and tourists alike hitchhiking, as long-distance buses in that part of the country can be very expensive and infrequent. It’s simply more convenient to hitchhike. (You can still hitchhike in the north, it might just take longer to find a ride.)

This common way to get around is highly recommended. In fact, our solo female travel expert Kristin has hitchhiked all the way from Bariloche down to Torres del Paine!

This will work best if you’re just one or two people and have a clearly-marked sign. Make sure you look presentable as that will drastically increase your odds of getting picked up. And while it’s quite safe to hitchhike here, always follow your gut instincts. If something feels off, decline the ride. Also, avoid getting too far off the beaten track simply because cars will be less frequent.

For the most up-to-date info, check out Hitchwiki.
 

2. Find the cheap eats

Looking to eat cheap? Empanada, choripán (sausage on bread) stands, and local hole-in-the-wall burger and pizza shops are your best options. It’s not the healthiest food, but it’s economical and tasty! Empanadas go for around $1–3 USD, lunch specials start at $6–9 USD, and fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around $10.50 USD.

Personally, I like to stick to street food, cooking, and eating lunch specials for most of my meals. That allows me to save up to then splash out on a nice steak dinner (Argentina is known for its steak).
 

3. Eat fancy meals

Speaking of splashing out, Argentina has amazing steak — and it’s actually pretty affordable. Steak dinners here cost a fraction of what they do back home. That means it actually makes sense to eat fancy steak dinners here. You can get a filling steak with fries for as little as $8–10 USD!

If you want a fancy sit-down meal, that will cost more — but not much more (likely around $20–40 USD). So, if you want to treat yourself, this is a great place to do it without breaking the bank.
 

4. Buy your wine

You can find bottles of wine in the supermarket for under $5 USD. It’s a phenomenal deal — and it’s great wine too (Argentina is the 8th largest producer of wine in the world).

Additionally, stick to wine while you’re here. Liquor and beer are much more expensive. Do as the locals do and stick to wine. It’s delicious and your budget will thank you.
 

5. Rent a bike

You can rent bicycles from hostels and rental shops for around $14–18 USD per day in most major cities. It’s an inexpensive way to get around but also out of the cities. This is especially useful when you’re in Mendoza’s wine country and you’re trying to get from winery to winery.

Buenos Aires has excellent biking lanes and a free public bike share scheme. With Ecobici, you use a bicycle for up to one hour from Monday to Friday, and up to two hours on the weekends. (This doesn’t limit how often you can use the bicycle throughout the day, though.)

Also, most hostels rent bikes or can direct you to the cheapest bike rental shop. There are also lots of guided bike tours if you prefer taking a guided excursion.
 

6. Camp

As you travel south to Patagonia, accommodation costs get higher and higher (it’s a huge tourist draw, after all). If you want to save money and you don’t mind roughing it, look for camping opportunities as often as possible. When you aren’t in the national parks (where you can obviously camp), many hostels will let you pitch your tent for a small fee. If you bring all your gear with you, this can save you a good chunk of money as you explore the southern region of the country. I’m not a big camper but even I camped here and enjoyed it.
 

7. Try out Airbnb

If hostels or camping aren’t your thing, I found a ton of Airbnb options throughout the country. While it’s not going to be quite as cheap as a hostel, you’ll find Airbnb in more places (and it’s still very, very affordable). And, as long as you book early, you can find some really great deals.

Rooms in a home start at just $15 USD per night while entire homes/apartments can cost as little as $20–30 USD per night.
 

8. Explore the outdoors

Hiking is free, and throughout the country you’ll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy this and other outdoor activities since Argentina is blessed with many city parks and nature reserves where you can spend the day wandering around and relaxing. (And, of course, there are a plethora of national parks where you can do multi-day treks!).

Just make sure you always check the weather and dress accordingly. You’ll want to have water, snacks, a hat, and sunscreen. Even if it’s brisk, you can still get sunburnt!

Here’s a list of some of the top hikes in Patagonia in case you need some inspiration!
 

9. Pack a water bottle

The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle with a filter to save money and reduce your single-use plastic usage. My preferred bottle is LifeStraw as it has a built-in filter to ensure your water is always clean and safe. It might not seem like much, but spending a couple bucks on water each day will add up!
 

10. Travel off-season

March–June and September–November are the low seasons in Argentina. That means you can often find cheaper accommodations and enjoy fewer crowds at attractions. If you have a flexible schedule, consider visiting during the low season to save money and beat the crowd.

You’ll also likely find cheaper flights during these time periods as well. Check Skyscanner or Google Flights — they both have calendar options so you can compare dates to find the cheapest flights.

This post has more info on finding cheap flights.
 

11. Use discount cards

La Nacion Club and La Nacion Premium Club Cards are associated with the La Nacion Newspaper, one of the biggest newspaper publications in Argentina (written in Spanish). Every week La Nacion Club Card website lists participating establishments that give discounts to cardmembers. Although many of the restaurants offer the deals on Tuesday or Wednesday only, the discounts can range from 5–50% off. It’s definitely worth it, especially considering it costs less than $2 USD to get the card.
 

12. Take a free walking tour

One of the first things I do when I arrive in a new destination is take a walking tour. It’s the best way to get the lay of the land, connect with a guide, and get your questions answered. Personally, I always ask them for restaurant and bar suggestions, as they can help get me off the tourist trail.

There are a number of companies that offer free walking tours in Buenos Aires. They are comprehensive and the best way to learn about the history of the city. Just remember to tip at the end! One company to check out in Buenos Aires is Free Walks Buenos Aires.

***

Argentina was tremendous. I’m sad I didn’t get to see more of the country, but with direct and fairly cheap flights from the United States, I suspect I’ll be back. I gorged on steaks, became a slight wino, and unstressed myself in the mountains. What’s not to love?

While it isn’t the cheapest country in South America, through smart spending, there’s no need to blow your budget in the land of steak, wine, and tango. Just follow the tips above and you’re sure to have an awesome, affordable visit!