Frequently asked questions about Buenos Aires:

BUDGET CONSCIOUS IN BUENOS AIRES

Somebody who made her research not realizing that information older than just a few months might be obsolete when related to prices posted her disappointment. I am quoting on this page posts extracted from a very long thread with a lot of information. The thread was started in this way by melw2278:

Just got back from BA, so disappointed
I am sorry to report that I am disappointed with my trip to Buenos Aires :( I ran into two ladies from the US in my hotel that shared there same disappointment with me.
Let me start with my goal, it was to go to a unique culture that was more in my price range. However I don't know if it was bad information or a high inflation rate that buenos aires was running but things were just as expensive, if not more, than it would be back in the states.
Affordable luxury hotels are now running a mere $300 a night, sending my budget conciouness packing to a hostel that was close to the same price as my hostels I stay at in europe. I had checked on some bed and breakfast as an inital option however found they were also running $70-150 usd a night.
Leaving the airport we shopped around for taxis into town. The guide books and on tripadvisor stated to expect $50-60 peso cab ride, the cheapest we could find was with a radio taxi for $98 pesos (and we stayed in san telmo which is closer to the airport so less expensive in theory). I even checked with my hostel to see if we got ripped off and they told me that price seemed about average. My life revolves around my next plate of food and I am sad to say the places recommended in Frommers travel guide were good but WAY OFF on there etimates of prices. For example we went to a steak place at the madeiro area that was recommended. Frommers 2008 buenos aires book states the prices at $5-7USD a person, unfortunately it was set plates at $21USD a person. Still a bargain I suppose however I could pay that much in the US for a decent restaurant. We spent a good part of the trip drinking cafe con leche and cafe cortados however, every time the bill game we look at each other mumbled "well it came to a little over $2usd each for coffee, i guess its still a little cheaper than starbucks"
We sad down at non-trendy restaurants and had milanese sandwiches with papas frites that turned to be about $7usd each for lunch. "About what I would pay in the US" for the same kind of food and environment.
Shopping I felt was no bargain, I bought a hat for winter which cost me about $10usd, about the same price that I could find it in the US, a white leather jacket is what I really wanted however every where I looked it was again "about the same price ans in the US" I wanted some need art work for my house however small paintings started at $350USD!!!
The good part of BA was the taxis are relatively cheap (in town) and the Subte can't be beat at that price. Most of our gifts for friends were bought at the grocery store, wine was 5-10usd,cans of dulche de leche for $11-3USD and olive oil from $3-5USD. We were hoping to do x-mas shopping while we were at there however it just awsn't worth it price wise to buy anything and bring it back. Oh well just bummed out, wanted to let the budget conscious travelers that are going to be aware, not all the information out there is accurate. Again this could be to the inflation rate, thats my only guess
November 19, 2008

ricardoBA:
Thanks for your input on your most recent trip to Buenos Aires.
I think that this is a good lesson about using printed materials(Frommers,Fodors'setc) for many people planning their holidays to S. America and to any place in the world. These publications are at best 3 to 5 years behind the times for prices.
Your best resources are online. For example, if you had checked an online booking website such as expedia.com, you would have realized that the hotels were asking higher prices. You would have also been able to see value added hotels..........
November 19, 2008

melw2278
I did collect a fair share of my information from online forums, and even friends who visited Buenos Aires about a year ago!
I realized the price of hotels had gone up from visiting websites however I was surprised at the increase of price of some bed and breakfast. I think buenos aires has become a hot mecca for budget minded travelers since the devaluation of the pesos a few years ago, my post is to update future travelers of price changes. Buenos Aires is no longer the great value I had hoped for.
November 19, 2008

BISI:
I returned recently from a two week trip to BA and had quite a different impression. I told all my friends how cheap things were!
I rented an apartment in Palermo that was great and in a wonderful location near Palermo Lakes for $45 US per night. The little cafe next door had breakfast (eggs, toast, cafe and a large class of orange juice) for about US$4. I did spluge for dinner and likely average about US$25 - $30 (including wine and water) but got much more for my money than here. Subte was just 30 cents. Museum entrances were a bargain.
When I returned to the US, I met friends for dinner. My glass of wine was $10 and about half the portion I received in BA. I am ready to go back!
November 19, 2008

tptr:
Hi melw:
Sorry BsAs didn't meet with your expectations concerning everyday costs. We didn't see our experience the same way, and felt meals were at least 30% less expensive than here at home.
The comments about guidebooks are a point well taken. By the time they hit the bookstores, the prices are already out of whack.
We were happy with the prices we found at the ferias and came home with gifts we had purchased at them.
The apartment we rented was quite affordable at $100us per night, and it included 3 bedrooms and two baths as well as a nice patio.
tptr
November 19, 2008

karmalaw
I'm sorry Argentina disappointed you as a shopping destination, but it has been posted here for the last year that Buenos Aires is not a bargain destination. Yes it *was* right after the crash in 2001 and for a few years afterwards -- but before the crash Buenos Aires was the 2nd most expensive city in the world to visit and its economy has been climbing heading back to that position.
The cost of airport transportation was 85 pesos last November (and reported here and elsewhere, including in my blog as such -- with warnings to expect even higher rates due to inflation)... so I don't know why you thought it was less than that?
Any guidebook is going to have information that is about a year old (from the time of research to writing to press is a number of months) -- so it pays do online research with sources that are more contemporary.
Meanwhile, I see your post was written by your wallet -- hopefully the rest of you enjoyed the intoxicating flavor and energy of Buenos Aires.
November 19, 2008

ScarlettO1
“My life revolves around my next plate of food”
I grew up in Charlotte, NC and have family there.. on any visit, a Fish Camp or Cracker Barrel is suggested for a "good " meal... :(
Going by this knowledge and having lived in Buenos Aires for almost 2 years... I don't understand the thinking behind this statement.. what sort of food were you hoping for ?
Or was it only about the cost?
I agree about the guide book information but also, every magazine and newspaper has articles about Buenos Aires these days and they post current prices and information.
My suggestion to anyone planning a trip here, use those sources also.. Conde Nast Traveler and the NYTimes often has articles on BA..
November 19, 2008

AmandaDallas:
..........
The food was a fraction of what we would have paid for the same item here at home. A massive steak lunch for two for $10 USD included sides, drinks and dessert/coffee at a local parilla.
And delicious empanadas of meats and vegetables for the same price as a few fast food french fries cost here in the U.S.
There, we had good wine for a few dollars a bottle, when the exact same wine is $17 at the grocery store here.
Our most expensive dinner was La Cabrera and we went overboard with much wine and several Cafe Irlandes to follow. We should have heeded the waiter's advice to share, which would have brought the cost down considerably and would have avoided waste. Nevertheless, the cost for two with much wine and coffee drinks, and more food that could fit on our table was about USD $80. We would have paid that for the wine and coffee drinks alone at a comparable restaurant here. I guess it depends on what you are comparing, we found everything to be delightfully affordable.
November 19, 2008

joyjoy000
That's too bad that you didn't enjoy your trip - do you travel a lot like this? I mean, have you done other vacations where the main focus is to find bargains? While lots of folks that visit BA find the prices either similar or slightly lower than what they have at home, they don't visit BA or Argentina to compare prices to what they have at home. I know that I vacation to meet local people and immerse in a foreign culture and walk the city barrios and participate in local festivals and events and maybe learn a foreign language. We spent two weeks in Argentina last month and were crying when we had to leave and have been longing to go back since we got home. There are so many things I miss I can't begin to list them.
I'm sorry you were disappointed. It sounds like Argentina was just not a good match for your vacationing style. Good luck with your next trip, wherever it may be!
November 19, 2008

Just-Thinking
Melw2278,
You are not imagining that prices in most cases for a tourist are not even close to a bargain. There is no doubt in my mind that travel related articles are still promoting Buenos Aires as a *cheap* destination and it is not true. Of course, what is expensive or inexpensive to one person might be different to another. I was fortunate to experience Buenos Aires in 2002, 2003, & 2004 and it really was a bargain. A serious bargain. But, those days are long gone. At least for people on the dollar. In 2005 it was obvious that prices were starting to go up and they have been going up consistently ever since. Inflation is a real problem here.
Tourism is down these days. Several taxi drivers have told me recently that their business is down 30% over what it was last year at this time. Less people are travelling.
Buenos Aires is still great but just not a *cheap* travel destination.
November 19, 2008

PanPalermoSoho
It is so sad that someone would travel to another rich culture and complain that it is not cheap anymore and this it is so disappointing. PLEASE.
Have you travellers ever thought how disappointed that we are with our low wages and huge price increases in pesos.
We do not travel and stay at home as most of us cannot afford to go to far away places.
November 19, 2008

AntTraveller
exactly Panpalermosoho!
I am not sure many people who come to Buenos Aires becasue it is "CHEAP" really think about how it is being a Porteno!
In my case, I will be back next year (and yes I realise that it will be a lot more expensive than this August was) but not because it is cheap, because they city, the people, the food, the experience as a whole is something in my mind little money or masses amount of money cannot buy!
Suerte to you!
November 19, 2008

marulandia
"..Buenos Aires is still great but just not a *cheap* travel destination..." Yes, quite true.
IMHO we'll have to wait until next year...I bet BA will be 30% cheaper than today....time will tell...
November 19, 2008

erdehoff
I didn't find it CHEAP cheap, but some things certainly were less expensive than they would have been in the U.S. (I live in an expensive city, too) and definitely cheaper than what I would have seen in, say, Europe. The lower price was just a small part of what drew me to BA. I was there for the chance to experience a culture that was totally new to me, to wander around one of the world's biggest and most historic cities, and to take part in the city's amazing tango culture. I was not disappointed on any of those fronts and I will definitely be returning someday (soon, I hope!)........
November 19, 2008

Andromache
..................
Personally I found everything , (except for the airfare and hotel rates that follow international prices) very affordable, you just have to look around, frequent the places where the locals go trying to avoid the obvious tourists traps and you'll find the bargains. Pizzas, empanadas, miga sandwiches , great italian salads and pastas are good choices for the budget minded people. Usually when I am travelling I keep my mind very open and try not to sweat the small stuff, complain or compare with things at home. I am busy looking at the buildings, reading the graffitis, just watching the people, animals, vegetation and everything that has to do with the culture of the place I am visiting.
November 20, 2008

Gaucho100K
Mel-- Im sorry you didnt enjoy Buenos Aires, although I cant understand why.. since your main complaint seems to be about pricing.
However, I have to argue very firmly with you about a few things you have posted, especially with your issue about a USD 7 meal. I have lived in the US, in NY and in VA, and I know the US very very well. I cant believe you will equate the ambiance and quality of food you get in the USA when you pay 7 bucks to what 20 or so pesos will get you in a street cafe in Buenos Aires. Im very sorry, but that is plain nonsense. If a discount fast food joint has the same ambiance and "feel" than a barrio cafe in Buenos Aires, then Im Warren Buffet. Also, even though a street cafe in Buenos Aires does not have organic or high end gourmet food, you can still eat a lomito, or bife de costilla with a salad for that $$$... try to compare that to an industrually processed burger, or pastrami sanwich with Chernobyl Cheddar.....
Im the first to agree with the many and very varied drawbacks that this city and this country has.... our banking system is a joke, the rule of law is questionable, corruption is rampant... but please, if someone will talk about food and the quality of ingredients used in even the simplest neighbourhood restaurants in Buenos Aires, and then DARE compare them to a cheap 7 buck meal joint in the USA and say its the same..?????? please, Lord, take me with you right now because Im gonna throw myself out the window.
I can understand that people may have their own tastes... but please, lets not overdo it.
November 20, 2008

bethy2120
I am from Charlotte, NC -- same as the OP --... a taxi ride from the airport for 98 pesos = about $32USD... it's at least that much from the Charlotte Douglas airport to my house near downtown!........ November 20, 2008

robertzimmerman
I am leaving Buenos Aires tomorrow for a second week in Salta and Jujuy. We are already trying to figure out when/how to come back. This is a fantastic city that is full of delightful, warm, welcoming people.
In my mind, it's also a bargain. We had a simply outstanding meal at Osaka, which is supposed to be expensive. 198 pesos. A scrumptious dinner with lovely wine at Cluny was 212 pesos. The empanadas at La Cocina in the Boston (?) Galeria cost 30 pesos for far too much food for two people, and were ridiculously tasty. Street food is cheap as can be, and excellent. Taxis are laughably cheap. Laundry is the same.
I don't travel cheaply, and I don't worry too much about the cost of things, but I think it's cheap here, and even if it were not, I'd come back. It's like no place I have ever been. I love it love it love it. Just wonderful. I can't say enough good things. November 20, 2008

Gaucho100K
.... Nothing like a couple of juicy FatBurgers when I’m in the States... and also the super high pan pizza with meat toppings. My favorite pizza joint in the USA is Little Caesars... are they still around? Then there are the street hotdogs in NY... another classic.... November 21, 2008

phoenix_dog
As I was reading through the pages and pages of replies posted here, I was trying to decide if I could really add anything unique. Probably not, but perhaps. So, here goes:
1) Although you state your "budget consciousness" sent you packing from an "affordable luxury hotel" to a hostel, I have to question your description. If you are "budget conscious," then what in the heck were you doing in a luxury hotel in the first place? Why did you not check out hostels and apartments? The apartment we rented in October came to $32/night (in San Telmo, just like you), and was ABSOLUTELY wonderful.
2) Someone truly worried about their budget would have done more research and used something other than a Frommer's Guide (i.e, Rough Guide, Lonely Planet, etc. -- pretty much anything BUT Frommers, which tends to give more credence to high-end establishments).
3) The ride from the airport cost us EXACTLY what we expected it to based on the information found on this website. Again, research, research, RESEARCH! Once in the city, we were able to get by radio taxi to any point within the city that we wanted to visit for less than $15/US --....
4) As for food prices, I'm sure you've already read all of the replies discussing the dated prices in the guides. You do realize, don't you, that Puerto Madero is not known for its affordability? There are sooooo many restaurants in BA that perhaps you would have had more luck at something less touristy. And, if you're only paying $7/US for a steak sandwich as big as your head (my experience) and a plate of fries in your city, then I need to come visit Charlotte, NC!
5) Did you not appreciate the little lagniappes that came with your coffees? The little cakes, the water presented with a flourish by the (usually) formally dressed waiter? The little extra touches that made even a simple cup of coffee that much more special?
6) I'm sorry you didn't find anything worthy of a shopping expedition. Tastes really must vary, because I am emphatically NOT a shopper -- shopping bores the heck out of me -- yet I spent days wandering in antique stores finding incredible bargains, strolling through ferias finding wonderful hand-made items for myself and to give as gifts, and wandering in and out of an incredible array of boutique stores that were just plain cool.
7) You did take time to notice to beauty of BA, didn't you? You didn't spend all your time shopping and eating? Did you see a dog walker with his 10 charges meandering down the street? The jacaranda trees in bloom? The astounding array of historic architecture on almost every block in San Telmo? The green parks? The incredible museums? The botanical gardens?
8) I agree with the other posters that BA may not be bargain it was after the bottom fell out of Argentina's economy -- a boon for travelers, but a complete bust for anyone trying to live through it -- but compare it with Paris (since BA = "the Paris of South America"), London, Rome, Lisbon, Madrid, etc. and even you would have to admit that your dollars went farther in BA. If you are looking for a refined, cultured city rich in history and ambiance, then Buenos Aires definitely IS a bargain.
Melw2278, I hope your next trip proves to be a better fit for you. As far as things go with me, I'm already planning a return trip to BA -- a yearly return trip if there is any possible way I can swing it. November 21, 2008

gearheart
Like you, we live in North Carolina in the US, although from Winston Salem, not Charlotte (which is more expensive). We just got back from 3 weeks in Buenos Aires..... Also like you, we found that the price of meals was not much different from home. Maybe a little cheaper, but not much. Clothing didn't seem to be much different either (so we didn't buy any clothes). We usually ate lunch out, and cooked in our kitchen in the evenings. That saved us a ton of money, and we don't like eating at 10 pm anyway. Everything else though, was a bargain. We took a day trip to Tigre, which consisted of two Subte lines, an hour train ride and a boat ride of over an hour on the Tigre river and delta. The entire day, for two people (not counting food)came to $38AR, or about $5.70 per person in US dollars. For the ENTIRE trip. How can you beat that?
And what was absolutely free was the way we were treated. A huge bustling city and not a single person was ever rude to us in 3 weeks. Not one. We were always shown kindness. It helped that we stayed in a neighborhood away from tourist areas, and we stayed in a B&B rather than a hotel.....
November 23, 2008

karmalaw
a 2006 book will be 3+ years out of date right now. A lot can happen in 3 years... just ask the US real estate market.
November 23, 2008

dr__dawggy
This post is intended to provide information not to criticize.
It is very difficult to keep up with prices in an inflationary environment.
Case in point: I ate at la Bisteca not that long ago for $24 pesos (8 dollars at the time) plus drink. The current online version of Frommers quotes US14, plus drink. The OP suggests a more up to date tab of U$21.
A second example: Asking for price quotes six months in advance for a hotel or other services is a real challenge. Most hotels either will not provide a quote or quote a rate adjusted for inflation that is well above current rates.
Argentina's economy tends to run in boom/bust cycles. It is almost time for another bust, so keep watch and you may discover BA will once again become the bargain destination it was in 2002. Until then, prices are closer to the pre-crash days when BA was more expensive than New York.
One thing is for sure....whether it is expensive or on sale, BA is one of the most amazing cities on earth!
November 24, 2008

GAUCHORETOBADO

Updated: December 2008