Buenos Aires On A Budget

Buenos Aires may appear cheap when you first arrive, but if you’re not careful it can suck you in to spending way more than you should. Here are some tips from a fellow traveller on how to tackle Buenos Aires on a budget.

FOOD

Palermo Soho has been my home for quite a few months now, and the abundance of adorable cafes and stylish restaurants are incredibly tempting. The food is delicious, but can add up very quickly. Whilst they’re fine to visit every once in a while, you might want to avoid daily visits to these quaint little cafes if you do not wish to spend all your saving on lunch.

Instead, why don’t you pop into a Panadería (bakery) and pick up a medialuna. Medialunas are the Argentine version of croissants, only much much better. And the best thing about medialunas is one will set you back a mere 6 pesos. Not bad for an afternoon snack…

But if you fancy something a bit more substantial, look no further than an empanada or two. An empanada is a small savoury pastry filled with a variety of different fillings. You can choose anything from chicken or beef, to ham and cheese or ‘caprese’. Depending on how many you have, they are perfect for any meal. Empanadas are also perfect for those of you on a budget, as the majority of eateries in Buenos Aires sell them for between 10 and 15 pesos a pop.

Unfortunately, a diet of medialunas and empanadas isn’t the healthiest way live, so I would advise picking up some fresh fruit and veg which is also nice and cheap in most street stalls.

SIGHTSEEING

There is one very easy way to see Buenos Aires on a budget – on foot. Buenos Aires is a beautiful city, and every neighbourhood has something different to offer. All you’ll need is a comfy pair of shoes and a map. The city’s main ‘barrios’ – Palermo, Recoleta, Microcentro, and Belgrano – are all easily accessible and safe (I’d stay away from La Boca unless you go with a tour…). Buenos Aires is full of fantastic architecture, cobbled streets and wide boulevards; so it’s very easy to get to know the city without spending a penny.

Another great thing about Buenos Aires is that all of the sights worth seeing are free! The Obelisco, located on the sprawling Avenida 9 de Julio, is one of BA’s most famous monuments. Getting across 9 de Julio to see it is an experience in itself – the road has up to 14 lanes in total!

This will also leave you spitting distance away from Teatro Colón, an architectural marvel completed in 1908. As impressive on the inside as it is on the outside, the theatre is still in frequent use but guided tours are given during the day.

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While you’ve got your walking shoes on, don’t forget to pay a visit to the famous Recoleta Cemetery. Situated in the trendy neighbourhood of Recoleta, this cementerio is listed as one of the 10 most beautiful cemeteries in the world. With a massive array of tombs of all shapes and sizes, mausoleums and statues, the cemetery has an eerie charm that will make you want to stay for hours.

PARKS

Buenos Aires is also home to a beautiful collection of parks. Palermo boasts the ‘Bosques de Palermo’ as well as the Jardín Botanico (Botanical Gardens) which are both full of wide open spaces and offer lots of activities.

Take a stroll through the rose garden, or if you’re feeling more active why don’t you hire some rollerblades or a pedalo boat?

MARKETS

If you fancy picking up a few bargains during your stay in Buenos Aires, why not spend a Sunday at San Telmo Market? Even if you don’t spend a single centavo, this place is definitely worth a visit. Starting at Plaza Dorrego and running all the way down Defensa in the district of San Telmo, the market hosts an eclectic mix of everything from antiques and handmade jewellery, to leather goods and souvenirs.

Make sure to take your time so you can soak in the atmosphere and get a good look at all of the stalls. Throughout Defensa there are many quaint and cosy cafes perfect for that mid-morning pitstop. Later on in the afternoon you may even be able to catch an authentic Argentine tango show, which take place on the cobbled streets right in front of your eyes.

Other markets Buenos Aires has to offer are the markets that take place every Saturday and Sunday in Plaza Serrano (Palermo) and Plaza Francia (Recoleta). Although not as big as San Telmo, they’re still worth a visit so you can work out which is your favourite!

So whatever you end up doing during your time in Buenos Aires, at least now you know how to save instead of splurge!