Overview
Buenos Aires is the gorgeous capital of Argentina. No matter what you want to do in the city, it has something for everyone. The city itself is made up of nearly 100 neighborhoods, making each sector of the sprawling metropolis unique and fun to explore. Buenos Aires draws people from all over the world to visit is grand boulevards, excellent European style architecture as well as sample its delightful South American cuisine and charm.
Is it Cheap?
It’s complicated. Argentina is unfortunately a country that deals with varying level of inflation, which can change from week to week, month to month. While this leaves the local currency a bit in flux, by all standards, many consider Argentina cheap or at least fair priced for tourists.
A beer in the country is normally around 3 dollars and a meal will set you back around 8.
WE SAY A GOOD BUDGET FOR BUENOS AIRES PER DAY IS: 30-35 Dollars a day including hostels.
Barrio La Boca
San Telmo
Women’s Bridge
What to Do
Many would argue Buenos Aires is as important to the identity of South America as Rio, Lima or Bogota. This means that you will find tons of great things to do in the city. Whether its museums, late night street eats, dancing or going to the theater, Buenos Aires is one of the best places to do it all.
Our local fixer recommends seeing the El Obelisco, the de facto symbol of the city. It was erected for the anniversary of the city and has become the instagramable photo of choice for people visiting Argentina.
Check out Caminito (The Small Street), a traditional walkway in the Boca neighborhood where you can feel the culture, smell the grilling meats and dance the night away.
The San Telmo district is an older part of the city where you can really feel the cities past. The neighborhood is filled to the brim with quaint little cafes and bars, the perfect place to people watch and breathe in the latin air. It’s also the perfect place to try local Argentinian cuisine or buy local Argentine goods.
Teatro Colon is a great spot to enjoy Argentine culture and the see the way the city has changed over the years. They do guided visits, in which you can experience the lavish salons and rooms without all the chaos of a full house.
Lastly, going to the Recoleta neighborhood is a must. The barrio contains one of the best and largest squares of the city, along with a modern cultural center and an area of cafes and bars attached to the most exclusive cemetery in Buenos Aires. Only the most important figures in Argentina’s history are buried there. In order to get the full history of Buenos Aires, La Recoleta is the final key to understanding it all.
What to Eat and Drink
Asado: Easily the most popular and well known dish of Argentina, this grilled steak dish reigns supreme. There are various ways to make the dish, but generally large hunks of meat are marinated in local spices and then grilled to succulent and juicy perfection. You can smell the grilling meats wafting through the air of the entire city, and more importantly, a kilo will only cost you around 10 dollars.
Guiso: This dish is roughly translated into stew in English and is a dish that has its origins in Spain. Generally it is prepared with beef, vegetables and rice, slowly stewed down in a tomato broth. It is known as one of those “Everyone’s grandmother best recipes” so if you are gonna grab a bowl or two, make a friend and meet their abuela.
Empanadas: Possibly the most famous Argentine dish internationally, the small fried/baked dough pockets really embody the spirit of Argentina. Although you can find these generally all over south America, many claim the Argentinians do it best with their spiced beef and chicken fillings. The masa “dough” is crisp, flaky and makes for a damn delicious experience.
Milanesas: Pounded out pork covered in an egg batter and fried to cripsy, brown perfection the Milanesa is very much like an Austrian Schnitzel. Its really hard to go wrong.
Pasta: Many of you may be a bit surprised that this made the list, but Argentina has a long history of pasta-eating with a large amount of their immigrants hailing from Italy. It’s a family dish that is commonly found on the table on sunday afternoons.
Argentinians are not avid drinkers, but don’t shy away from a shot of Fernet Branca, a very strange Italian “Jagermeister” like beverage. The drinks of choice are really Coca-cola and beer, which you will find on nearly every table in town.
Internet and Phone - Sim Local, the Best Way To Stay Connected in Argentina
Buenos Aires offers a range of phone and internet connection options tailored for tourists. Visitors can choose from various local SIM cards and mobile plans available at numerous kiosks, stores, and the airport, ensuring seamless connectivity throughout their stay. Public Wi-Fi is widely accessible in cafes, hotels, and popular tourist spots, making it easy to stay connected.
Being a person who is constantly on the go, I stay connected effortlessly on my travels with Sim Local. Get your eSIM instantly and enjoy high-speed internet without the hassle of finding a local SIM card. Whether you're in Buenos Aires for a short trip or an extended stay, SIM Local provides flexible data plans that keep you connected to family, friends or work, from where ever you are. The best part is that if your trip is canceled or you change your mind, great customer service is waiting, as well as a fair refund policy. You can check out Sim Local by clicking here.
Transportation
The streets of Buenos Aires are a little crazy to say the least, but luckily and unlike many countries in the world, many traffic regulations are respected. Walking the whole city is possible, but with the 100 barrios we mentioned before, it would be hard to see everything. The metro options are very safe and fast for commuting across town. The buses run through a special lane called “Metrobus” that makes it very easy and quick to travel by bus. The taxis are the most expensive option but there are a couple good taxi apps that can get you places safely and quickly. There is currently a system of bicycles and bike paths that make public transport free and comfortable.
Clubbing and Nightlife
If you are a person that likes to go out and make the most of their night, a journey to the Palermo barrio has to be on your list. It is known for its streets of endless bars, nightclubs and restaurants, creating an atmosphere that can only be described as diverse and experiential.
While Palermo is typically the Argentine place to go out, the San Telmo area is more well known to cater to the partying needs of students and foreigners. If you know people in the city, they will most likely drag you out to the bars in San Telmo, and be excited because they are excellent.
My Travel Essentials For A European Backpacking Trip
Below you'll find a list of my must bring backpacking items. I have gotten this list down to my essentials through trial and error over 4 years of living in a backpack. I hope you'll find these items helpful on your journey!
►Main Backpacking Backpack: https://amzn.to/3vUHdik [Amazon]
►Great Front Facing Duffle-bag : https://amzn.to/3SjK6Ra [Amazon]
►Quick Dry Towel : https://amzn.to/3uarxH8 [Amazon]
►Multi Country Charger Adapter : https://amzn.to/3Ul37p0 [Amazon]
►Refillable Water Bottle : https://amzn.to/48SnG0n [Amazon]
►Padlock : https://amzn.to/3SdyYp7 [Amazon]
►Earplugs : https://amzn.to/498xTpl [Amazon]
►Power Bank : https://amzn.to/3SyXP8e [Amazon]
Travel Photography & Video Favorites
If you're interested in creating your own video content on your trip, these are some of my favorite items I've had. They work, they're effective and besides the Sony Aa7C, they aren't going to break the bank either!
►On the Go Video | Go Pro Hero 12 : https://amzn.to/3u38oHh [Amazon]
►Photography | Sony A7C : https://amzn.to/3u1Y6ap [Amazon]
►Portable Tripod | https://amzn.to/42ojHqc [Amazon]
►Lavalier Microphone | https://amzn.to/3SbL41U [Amazon]
►Drone | https://amzn.to/47TCwSY [Amazon]
►Portable Monitor | https://amzn.to/3Hzv2dg [Amazon]
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