Prices, money and useful tips
Buenos Aires is no longer as cheap as it was a few years ago, but it is still very affordable if you know how to pay and where to eat.
💳 Pay smart, save more
- Pay with a fee-free foreign card and always choose pesos on the card machine.
- For accommodation, pay with a foreign card and show your passport to avoid the 21% VAT.
- Ask about a cash discount (usually 10%) in restaurants and small shops.
- Avoid cash machines: each withdrawal costs US$8–12 in fees.
The Essentials before you go section covers everything about exchanging money.
🆓 Free or nearly free
- San Telmo's Sunday market and a stroll around Caminito.
- The Bosques de Palermo and the Rose Garden.
- Concerts and exhibitions at the Palacio Libertad.
- El Ateneo Grand Splendid and the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve.
- Tip-based free walking tours of the centre, San Telmo or Recoleta.
🍽️ Eating well for less
- At lunchtime, look for the menú ejecutivo: a main course, a drink and sometimes dessert for roughly ARS 15,000–25,000 (≈ US$10–16).
- Try Buenos Aires-style pizza and empanadas at the classic pizzerias on Avenida Corrientes.
- Neighbourhood parrillas (steakhouses) are better value than the ones in Puerto Madero.
- Buy wine at the supermarket: a good Malbec costs far less than in a restaurant.
🚇 Cheap transport
- An underground journey paid by contactless card costs ARS 1,887 (≈ US$1.20).
- Walk between nearby neighbourhoods: Recoleta, Retiro and the centre are easy on foot.
- From the airport, if you are travelling alone, the Tienda León coach (≈ US$11) is much cheaper than a taxi (≈ US$39).
💡 GuideMapp tip: if you want to see a show, check the programmes of the public theatres first, such as Teatro San Martín or Teatro Colón: the Colón's upper-tier seats are among the cheapest and the sound up there is superb.
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