On a budget
Want to discover Buenos Aires without breaking the bank? No problem!

Buenos Aires is a cosmopolitan capital where you can find something fun, interesting, and better still, free to do on every corner. Here are some tips for exploring the city on a budget.

Basic info

You can offer save money by carefully planning an itinerary in advance, so what better way to start than by downloading our free mobile apps and making use of our digital tools to plan your stay in Buenos Aires? There you'll find info on everything from the best attractions to guided tours and transport.

In Buenos Aires, it's possible to get everywhere on public transport: bus, train and subte. First, you'll need to pick up a SUBE travel card and charge it with credit, which you can do at any subte station and at many kiosks. Another great option is to cycle, and the city has a free public bikeshare scheme called Ecobici.

As for accommodation, there's no need to blow your budget on a five-star hotel in Recoleta, the city also has a range of hostels, apart hotels and 1, 2 and 3-star hotels in the most popular neighbourhoods to visit.

Where to eat

Eating is an important part of experiencing a new place and in Buenos Aires eating on the cheap doesn't mean restricting yourself to the big fastfood chains. The local food scene is vast and has something for every budget. For breakfast and afternoon snacks, many bakeries offer the classic combination of coffee with medialunas (croissants) for a few pesos, while for lunch and dinner there are many very reasonably priced parrillas (steakhouses), pizzerias and traditional neighbourhood family taverns known as bodegones. Look out for restaurants offering a "menú ejecutivo", a fixed-price menu including a dish of the day, drink and dessert. For something to eat on the go, there are street food stalls along the riverside where you can grab a classic choripán (sausage sandwich) and chimichurri sauce.

What to do

Buenos Aires always has a packed agenda of different activities, and a great bonus is that many of them are free! You can explore the city's most emblematic neighbourhoods and visit many of the city's must-sees for free.

There are also many cultural centres and museums that offer free access and free activities. Access to the permanent collection at the National Museum of Fine Arts is free, as are the exhibitions and shows at Centro Cultural Recoleta and the CCK. Another free leisure option in the city is to explore the huge range of green spaces - there are more than 100 of them! Highlights include the Ecological Reserve, which boasts a wealth of native flora and fauna.

The city tourist board also offers a range of guided tours for less than the equivalent of US$ 10.

Taking full advantage of Buenos Aires on a limited budget is more than possible. Enjoy your trip!

See more on free activities in Buenos Aires.