The Travel Chica

Live Simple. Consume Less. Experience More.

How I Lived in Buenos Aires for $1000 a Month

By

When I first arrived in Buenos Aires back in March of this year, I was shocked by the prices.  I had just finished traveling through Central America where I could get a night in a wonderful hostel for US$6 and a good meal for US$3.00.

I had been to Buenos Aires back in 2009 for a 2-week vacation, so I already knew the prices would be a lot higher than in Central America.  I did not realize Argentina had experienced 25% inflation every year for the last few years.

So what is a budget traveler to do?

 

Make it work.

 

I had already been living simply for the first 5 months of my travels.  I was excited to get to a big, vibrant city, so I wanted to enjoy what Buenos Aires has to offer.

I learned that I could enjoy the city without blowing my budget.

I planned $1000 a month to live in Buenos Aires.

And I stuck to that budget.

I have written about a bazillion articles on wine tastings and a few on great dining experiences in Buenos Aires.  So I have obviously splurged here and there.

For me, the key has been being very diligent about keeping the basic, everyday costs in check (e.g. lodging, food, transportation).

I have updated my Budget page to include my average daily expenses in Buenos Aires.  If you are planning to visit Buenos Aires on a small budget, these tips might help you keep your expenses in check AND still enjoy the city.

Budget Travel Tips for Buenos Aires

#1 – Find a hostel with a good kitchen, so you can cook many of your own meals.

Actually, I should say “decent” kitchen.  In my experience, hostels in Buenos Aires are not very nice, and the kitchens are usually the worst part.  Some kitchens have terrible pots, pans, and cooking utensils (or they do not have any at all).  Some kitchens are disgusting.  Some are so small that two people cannot even be preparing food at the same time.

Always take a full tour of the hostel before committing if you have any expectation of cooking your own meals.

#2 – Find a hostel that offers eggs and/ or cereal in addition to the traditional medialunas and bread (empty calories).

My meal savings plan was to eat cereal in the morning.  Then I came back just before breakfast closed and made myself eggs and toast for lunch.

Yep, I’m that cheap!  But I was able to have some tasty dinners!

#3 – Shop around for your groceries.

Groceries, fruits, and vegetables are expensive in Buenos Aires.  Of course, cooking for yourself is still a much cheaper option than eating out.  Shop around and look at the prices.  I have found that supermarkets, carnicerias, and verdulerias can have drastically different prices, even those a block away from each other.

#4 – Buy your wine at a “chino.”

Chino is the term used here for the supermarkets that are owned by the Chinese.  I have been told they are organized and buy their wine in bulk to get large discounts.  You can find a 10 pesos or more difference in some bottles than at one of the large chain grocery stores.  But remember that not all Chinos are the same.  You still need to shop around.

#5 – Learn to use public transportation.

Although taxis are cheap in Buenos Aires compared to many places, you will save a lot by using public transportation.  The subte (underground train) is quite easy to figure out and has pretty good coverage of the city.  The downside of the subte is that is closes early (around 10 or 1030pm).

Fortunately, there are tons of buses, and they run 24-hours (less frequently at 3am, but at least they still run).  The buses are a little tricky if you have no clue what you are doing and are not fluent in Spanish.  However, once someone explains it, it is not that difficult.  If you do not know someone that can help you out the first time, I suggest taking a city tour with Jonathan from Buenos Aires Locals Tours because he will explain the bus system to you and even take you on a bus ride and subte ride during the tour.

 I absolutely LOVE the website http://mapa.buenosaires.gov.ar/.  If you click on Como Llegar, you can enter your starting point and your destination.  It will show you your best public transportation options (walking, subte, bus) with travel time, directions, and map.

#6 – If you want to try a nice restaurant, visit at lunch.

Prices are usually cheaper.  Many restaurants (like the fancy La Cabrera or the moderate El Trapiche) offer a menu ejecutivo.  This is basically a set meal that usually comes with a main dish, side, and a beverage.

#7 – Take advantage of the numerous free activities in Buenos Aires.

There is of course the obvious…. walk around and explore.  There are many different neighborhoods in Buenos Aires where you can spend several hours just walking and looking at the architecture, the trees, the shops and cafes, and the people.

There are more museums and art galleries in this city than you can imagine.  Plus the city government hosts a lot of events throughout the city.

Check out my Buenos Aires Travel Tips page for my favorite places and activities and a few good splurges.

Have you ever lived in an expensive  city on a small budget?  What tips would you offer budget travelers?

Comments

  1. If I were to convert it in our currency, 1000 US Dollars is such a big amount of money and it would be good enough for a 3 month budget here in our place. I guess the cost of living in Buenos Aires is high. I’m impressed that you are able to manage your budget efficiently for the whole month.
    Candice Michelle recently posted..imi holsters

  4. When we visited Buenos Aires for the last time in 2009 it was still insanely cheap. Wine was $2 at the supermarket. The only expensive item was the lodging– we skipped the overpriced hostels and stayed in a small family hotel. Especially compared to Brazil, Buenos Aires is still a bargain. Guess it is all relative (or the prices have skyrocketed in the last 2 years).
    Leslie (Downtown Traveler) recently posted..Top 5 Christmas attractions in New York City (2011 holiday guide)

  5. I’m thinking about how calling a Chinese owned supermarket a “Chino” would fly back in the States.

    Great article, lots of good advice on a saving a buck or two.

    My problem is I have a really hard time sticking to a budget.

    It’s a skilled that must be mastered Danielson!

    How do you feel about safety? Does it feel like a safe city for a single (or more) traveler(s)?
    Cal recently posted..19 iPhone Apps for a 14 Hour Flight

    • I felt a little weird typing it, but that’s what they are called! No such thing as being “politically correct” in BA :-)

      The city is reasonably safe. Probably the safest capital city I have been to in Latin America. But it is a really big city, so it does have big city crime. You just have to take precautions and stick to the safer neighborhoods.
      The Travel Chica recently posted..Seeing the Greatest Polo Player in the World

    • BA is unlike every other city I have been to where it is always cheaper to rent an apartment if staying longer. It is really tricky in BA. You can find a shared apartment for cheaper than a hostel or about the same. But you have to be careful about picking the right one (roommates, landlords, neighborhood, etc).
      The Travel Chica recently posted..Seeing the Greatest Polo Player in the World

  8. Buenos Aires is a huge city with lots of things to do. Is a city to walk and enjoy. There are not a lot of important sculptures, bridges or breathtaking scenery. If you go there just walk and enjoy the multiples faces of the city.
    Bethany recently posted..stock trading

    • It is cheap if you compare it to a huge city like NYC. But it is more expensive than any place I have traveled so far in Latin America.

      I feel like I’ve done it pretty cheaply, considering the neighborhood I lived in. The only way it was possible to stick with my budget is because I tend to live pretty cheaply even back home :-)
      The Travel Chica recently posted..Am I A Digital Nomad Now?

  14. I love budget travel, being from India i don’t really have much problem with cheap food or smaller kitchens as we are quite used to all that. I always love taking public transport where ever possible, surely taxi’s will be a comfortable travel source compared to buying tickets for a train… but one must try and save as much as possible. Thanks for the tips,
    cheers,
    Uttoran Sen recently posted..13 Things To Do In The Bahamas

  17. The subway just went up to $2.50(AR) and I expect the collectivos will soon follow. I have been watching the prices steadily increase at certain restaurants as well. At the place on the corner you could get a litre of wine for $15(AR) a in June then it moved up to $20 in July, $23 in September and $25 in December. Still cheap, but the percentage increase is huge.
    Mike recently posted..Welcome to DAY CLICKER!

  18. Great tips Stephanie! Your site is very useful for my upcoming travel/move to B.A. for a couple of months in the fall season! I am a bit worried of the prices. I’m from NYC and even though I’m used to expensive prices, I won’t have a steady flow of income while traveling and I’m not the best at budgeting. And boy, steak is my weakness!
    Antoinette B. | love.antoinette recently posted..Am I Ready for This?

  19. Great poat! Lovely city!
    I could recommend to stay in an apartment and if possible ouside main neirborhoos. Also if you plan to stay for a long time, I met a person you fins you the apartment, a job, and your legal residence in few days. Pablo from emigratetoargentina dot com. He helped us so much. Myabe he could help some of you.

  20. I was hoping to spend a month or two in B.A. in the fall, but I was worried about blowing through my budget. I’m glad to see that it’s possible to shoestring it there, though!!

  21. Im actually going to study in BA very soon, and Im actually scared about the budget. But its good to know that you could stick to 1000 a month , maybe as a student, I will not have to spend in things like tourist-stuff..I really dont know, but anyways, thanks for the information!!

Shares