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Argentina travel guide

Getting from Buenos Aires to Uruguay

Uruguay is the second smallest country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the west and Brazil to the west. It has an Atlantic Ocean coastline and has a subtropical climate.

Montevideo is the capital of the country and home to the largest airport in Uruguay, while Punta del Este is a very popular beach destination in the country.

Quick summary

Buses and ferries are the cheapest options to get between Buenos Aires and Uruguay. If you want to travel to other cities than the capital of Montevideo, you’ll need to connect through the capital anyway (to catch a bus).

Flights from Buenos Aires to Uruguay

Buenos Aires to Montevideo

Montevideo is served by Aeropuerto Internacional de Carrasco (MVD), the largest airport in Uruguay. It is hub for Pluna. The following airlines offer flights to/from Buenos Aires: Aerolíneas Argentinas (Aeroparque, Ezeiza) , BQB Líneas Aéreas (Ezeiza), PLUNA (Aeroparque, Ezeiza) and Sol Líneas Aéreas (Aeroparque).

In mid-May 2012 expect to pay from US$82 one way on PLUNA (from EZE) , while a return flight starts at US$134. The flight time is 1 h (one way). It’s actually cheaper to fly from EZE and back into AEP (on PLUNA and Aerolineas Argentinas).

Buenos Aires to Punta del Este

Capitan Corbeta CA Curbelo International Airport (PDP) serves Punta del Este and offers direct connections to Buenos Aires – Aeroparque. There are direct year-round flights operated by BQB Líneas Aéreas and PLUNA, while Aerolíneas Argentinas operated only seasonal flights.

In mid-May 2012, expect to pay from US$103 one way on PLUNA with a connection in Montevideo, while in mid-September 2012, expect to pay the same fare. Direct flights start at US$108, regardless of the time of the year.

>>book a cheap flight to Buenos Aires

Ferries from Buenos Aires to Uruguay

Buenos Aires to Montevideo

Buquebus operates a high-speed ferry between the two capitals and the single fare starts at $178.42 UYU / US$41 (promo web). The travel time is about 3 h 15 min and there are several departures per day.

Buenos Aires to Colonia

The main connections to Argentina from Colonia are two ferries linking to Buenos Aires. Buquebus operates the fast ferry (1h) and the single fare starts at AR$ 157.26 / US$35.80. There is also a slower boat which takes 3 hours and the single fare starts at AR$ 102 / US$23.22.

Buses from Buenos Aires to Uruguay

Buenos Aires to Montevideo

There are three bus companies operating between the two cities. The single fare starts at AR$ 160 / US$38 and the travel time is 8 h.

To get to other cities in Uruguay, you need to connect via the capital of Montevideo. Once you get there, just ask for a ticket at the bus terminal (unless you travel during the weekends or holidays, it’s hardly likely to worry about not finding a seat).

Read more about:
>>Getting from Buenos Aires to Montevideo
>>Getting from Buenos Aires to Punta del Este

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Argentina travel guide

Getting from Buenos Aires to Patagonia

Patagonia is a region in south Argentina , well known for natural landscape. Tourists come here for trekking, climbing glaciers, trying water sports and many more.

The most important cities in Patagonia are:

  • Ushuaia , the largest city in Tierra del Fuego, is the base for most treks and trips to Antarctica.
  • San Carlos de Bariloche , or simply Bariloche , is located on the foothills of the Andes and is well known trekking, climbing, extreme sports and skiing. You might just feel like you are somewhere in Switzerland not in Argentina, thanks to the atmosphere, chocolate boutiques and St. Bernard dogs on display (for tourists).
  • El Calafate is a small city in Patagonia , located on the glacial blue Lago Argentina. The natural beauty attracted travelers and the city is growing continuously.
  • Puerto Madryn is located on the shores of Gulfo Nuevo and is a very popular summer destination because of its beaches.

There are two easy ways for the travelers to get to Patagonia: via Buenos Aires , the capital of Argentina, or via Santiago de Chile, the capital of Chile. And most likely you’ll be traveling either to Bariloche or Ushuaia and then connect to other places in the area.

Quick summary

The cheapest way to travel between the capital of Buenos Aires and Patagonia is the bus. However, the traveling times are long. It’s cheaper to fly into Ushuaia than into Bariloche but make sure to book your flight in advance.

Getting from Buenos Aires to Bariloche

Flights

San Carlos de Bariloche International Airport (BRC) serves Bariloche and offers connections to/from both airports serving Buenos Aires: Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) and Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP). Flights between the two cities are operated by: Aerochaco (Aeroparque), Aerolíneas Argentinas (Aeroparque, Ezeiza), Austral Líneas Aéreas (Aeroparque), LAD (Aeroparque) and LAN Argentina (Aeroparque).

During the low season (mid-May 2012) expect to pay from US$314 one way on LAN, while a return flight will set you back from US$610. The same prices are valid for early during the high season, too.

Read more about:
>>Cheap flights to Buenos Aires
>>Cheap flights to Bariloche

Buses

There are quite a lot of companies operating between the two cities. The travel time is between 20 h and 21 h and single fares start at AR$ 614 / US$140. Via Bariloche and Andesmar are just two options for your trip.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Argentina

Driving

The distance between the two cities is 1570 km (shortest route on RN 5) and you can cover it in about 18 ½ h. Of course, considering the distance, if you plan to rent a car, then you should plan this as a road trip rather than traveling from one point to another.

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Getting from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia

Flights

Ushuaia International Airport (USH) is a small airport serving the city and offering direct flights to Buenos Aires (Aeroparque). The flights are operated by Aerolíneas Argentinas and LAN Argentina.

During the low season (mid-May 2012) expect to pay from US$289 one way on Aerolíneas Argentinas, while a RT flight starts at US$579. By mid-September expect to find slightly cheaper flights (from US$246 one way) on LAN.

Buses

There are no direct buses between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia. You can connect through Rio Gallegos. Andesmar, El Pinguino and Via Bariloche offer buses from Buenos Aires to Rio Gallegos and the single fare starts at AR$ 804 / US$183. The travel time is between 35 h and 38 h 40 min.

From Rio Gallegos it’s another 12 h trip and the single fares start at AR$ 110 / US$25. Just show up at the bus station and ask for tickets.

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Argentina travel guide

Getting from Buenos Aires to Punta del Este

Punta del Este is a resort town in Uruguay. It’s a very popular place among tourists looking for beaches, casinos and the regular resort activities. But although a popular place, it still has its unspoiled places if you are not exactly fond of the horde of tourists.

Quick summary

The easiest way to get to Punta del Este is by way of Montevideo , to which it’s connected by frequent buses (travel time: 2h 15min). So, instead of flying directly from Buenos Aires to Punta del Este, catch a bus or a ferry to Montevideo first and then take a bus for the last leg of the journey. Total price? Under US$50 per person.

Direct flights from Buenos Aires to Punta del Este

Capitan Corbeta CA Curbelo International Airport (PDP) serves Punta del Este , Uruguay and is not hub for any airline. There are direct year-round flights to/from Buenos Aires Aeroparque operated by BQB Líneas Aéreas and PLUNA, while Aerolíneas Argentinas operated only seasonal flights to/from the same airport.

Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) is the second airport serving the capital of Buenos Aires. Although it is mostly used to handle domestic flights, the airport also offers some international flights, including those to Punta del Este. The airport is located just 2 km from the city center.

During the low season (September 2012), expect to pay from US$123 on a direct flight on PLUNA. The same fares are available for a connecting flight through Montevideo (on the same airline). Return flights start at US$205 (connecting flight).

>>read more about cheap flights to Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires to Punta del Este via Montevideo

It’s cheaper and easier to get between Buenos Aires and Punta del Este by way of Montevideo. Once in Uruguay, just catch a bus to Punta del Este and you’ll reach the dream destination in no time.

There are direct flights between Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) – which serves Buenos Aires – and Aeropuerto Internacional de Carrasco (MVD) – which serves Montevideo. During the low season (September 2012), expect to pay from US$82 one way on PLUNA, while a return flight will set you back from US$140.

A cheaper option – $178.42 UYU / US$41 (promo fare online) – is to catch the fast ferry between Buenos Aires and Montevideo, operated by Buquebus . The travel time is 3 h 15 min and there are several departures per day.

The cheapest option is to catch a bus between Buenos Aires and Montevideo. The single fare is AR$ 160 / US$38 and the travel time is about 8 h. You can choose a night or a day bus.

>>read more about Getting from Buenos Aires to Montevideo

Once in Montevideo, catch a bus to Punta del Este. There are many departures per day and the travel time is 2h 15 min. The buses are operated by COT and COPSA. You can catch the buses directly from the airport. The single fare is US$7. The schedule is here .

Driving from Buenos Aires to Punta del Este

Technically, you can rent a car in Buenos Aires and drive the 1037 km to Punta del Este. The total travel time is 13 ½ h, but make sure to plan some stops along the way. Also, ask the rental company whether you are allowed to take the car across the border.

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Argentina travel guide

Getting from Buenos Aires to Cordoba

Cordoba is the second largest city in Argentina, known for the colonial architecture and the lovely hills surrounding the city. It is located in the heart of the Pampas and has a lovely nightlife thanks to the students attending its universities.

Because Cordoba is located in the center of Argentina, getting here from any Argentine city is really easy.

Quick summary

The cheapest way to get from Buenos Aires to Cordoba is by train but you’ll be spending quite a bit of time traveling. Another good options is to take the overnight bus between the two cities (about twice as expensive as the train ticket). Flying is the fastest option but the fares are expensive.

Flights from Buenos Aires (airport code: EZE) to Cordoba

Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), officially known as Ministro Pistarini International Airport , is the main airport serving Argentina and its capital Buenos Aires. The airport is located 22 km from the city center and is hub for Aerolíneas Argentinas and LAN Argentina.

Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) is the second airport serving the capital and this is where you’ll most likely need to get to if you plan to fly domestically. The airport is located just 2 km from the city center.

Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L.V. Taravella International Airport (COR), commonly known as Pajas Blancas is located about 9 km from Cordoba’s city center. It is the third largest airport in the country.

Flights between Cordona and Buenos Aires are operated by: Aerochaco (Aeroparque), Aerolíneas Argentinas (Aeroparque and Ezeiza), Austral Líneas Aéreas (Aeroparque) and LAN Argentina (Aeroparque). The flight time is 1h 20 min. In mid-July 2012, expect to pay from US$182 one way on Aerolíneas Argentinas if you fly from Ezeiza. Flying from Aeroparque is slightly more expensive (from US$186 one way on LAN). A return flight in July 2012 will set you back from US$354 on LAN. The airfare doesn’t vary too much during the year.

Read more about:
>>Cheap flights to Cordoba
>>Cheap flights to Buenos Aires

Trains from Buenos Aires to Cordoba

Cordoba used to be a very important railway center in Argentina but nowadays there’s only one rail connection left: the line to Buenos Aires. The train runs two times a week and the travel time is about 16 h. A single ticket costs US$25. The slow speed is compensated by good dining options and sleeping cars.

>>read more about Train Travel in Argentina

Buses from Buenos Aires to Cordoba

The bus is now the most popular option for traveling between within Argentina. There are many companies operating buses between the two cities and the cheapest single ticket is AR$ 250 / US$57. The travel time is about 11 h and there are more than 20 departures per day. You can check the schedule here .

>> read more about Bus Travel in Argentina

Driving from Buenos Aires to Cordoba

You can rent a car in Buenos Aires and drive the 700 km to Cordoba. The total drive time is about 7 ½ h but you should consider making some stops along the way. Please note that you’ll be driving on toll roads.

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Argentina travel guide

Things to do in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires , the capital of Argentina, is one of the largest cities in Latin America. It offers a large variety of cultural events, while the nightlife is lively. Dubbed as the “Paris of the south”, Buenos Aires has a European feel…with a Latin twist.

There are plenty of things to do here, some of them tree, so if you are planning a trip to Buenos Aires, make sure to read our suggestions.

A walk through La Boca

La Boca is the oldest neighborhood in Buenos Aires and it can surely be a tourist trap. But it’s also an interesting cultural experience. You can see tango being danced on the streets, interesting cafes and soon enough you won’t know where to point that camera of yours.

You can also visit San Telmo, with its colonial-style houses and cobblestone streets.

Take a self guided tour

What’s best then exploring your city at your own pace, but with the help of a map and tours created by the tourist office ? The maps and instructions are free to download so all that’s left is for you to choose the one which sound more appealing.

There are also several websites which offer free guided tours. These are excellent options if you want to learn more about the history of the city and its landmarks. Plus, the tour guide is always friendly and speaks English.

Do some people watching on Plaza de Mayo

It is the oldest square in Buenos Aires and is a lovely place to just do…nothing. Or better said: sit back, relax and watch the people pass by.

Take a photo of the Obelisk

El Obelisco is probably the most important landmark in the city. It’s where the major cultural events take place and where you’ll see the locals cheer after a victorious sport event.

Visit a weekend fair

The Feria de Mataderos (Fair of the Mataderos) takes place every Saturday during the summer months in front of the Mercado Nacional de Hacienda and it’s the best place to browse traditional handicrafts and all things related to gauchos.

Tip: try the food, too. Buenos Aires is known for the excellent steak.

Tango

Ask the personnel at the hotel or hostel about the free tango performances in your area. Or , if you have the money, invest in some tango classes.

Take a special metro ride

Line A still uses wooden cars, which appeal to both kids and adults. Kids under 5 get to ride them for free. It’s best to show up during non peak hours.

Take a walk away from the city’s busy streets

You can walk or bike in Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur (Ecological Reserve), which is a park with lovely views of Buenos Aires. Pack a picnic basket and enjoy a day in nature.

Another option is the Bosques de Palermo (Forests of Palermo), an urban oasis featuring artificial lakes and a lot of trees and roses.

An interesting walk through Recoleta Cemetery

Unless you are a bit morbid – or fascinated by interesting cemeteries – this will sound a bit weird but … Recoleta Cemetery is where Argentina’s notables are having their eternal rest. And the mausoleums and statues are absolutely amazing. Try to find where Eva Duarte de Peron is buried.

A weekend trip to Tigre Delta

There are day tours available to Tigre Delta, a sub tropical paradise away from the city’s hustle and bustle, but , to get to it better, plan for a weekend getaway. It can be easily reached by train from Buenos Aires.

Attend a football (soccer) game

Football (soccer) plays an important role in the life of the Argentine. Nothing will prepare you for the chaos on the stadium but it’s surely worth your time. The game you want to attend is the “superclasico”, a historical “battle” between Boca Juniors and River Plate.

Photo credits : Walk in the city , La Boca , Plaza de Mayo , The Obelisk , Fair , Tango
Park , Cemetery , Tigre Delta

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Argentina travel guide

Getting from Buenos Aires to Bariloche

Bariloche is located at the foothills of the Andes. It’s where all tourists who plan to explore the lakes or mountains arrive , whether they plan to hike during the summer or ski during the winter.

Quick summary

The distance between the two cities is not exactly short so traveling between Buenos Aires and Bariloche is not exactly the cheapest affair. But the bus fare is about half of the airfare and you also depart and arrive from stations much closer to the city centers than the airports.

Flights from Buenos Aires (airport code: AEP) to Bariloche

Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), officially known as Ministro Pistarini International Airport , is the main airport serving the capital of Buenos Aires and Argentina. Located 22 km from the city center, it is hub for Aerolíneas Argentinas and LAN Argentina.

Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) is the second airport serving the capital and the one handling the majority of flights to/from Bariloche. It is located just 2 km from the city center and it is the main airport handling domestic flights.

Bariloche is served by San Carlos de Bariloche International Airport (BRC) , located 13 km from the city center. It is the fourth largest airport in Argentina but it’s not hub for any airline.

Flights between Buenos Aires and Bariloche are operated by: Aerochaco (Aeroparque), Aerolíneas Argentinas (Aeroparque, Ezeiza), Austral Líneas Aéreas (Aeroparque), LAD (Aeroparque) and LAN Argentina (Aeroparque).

The flight time between Buenos Aires Aeroparque and Bariloche is about 2 ½ h. During the low season (mid-May 2012) expect to pay from US$314 one way on LAN. A return flight starts at US$610. The same prices are valid for early during the high season, too.

Read more about:

>>Flights to Buenos Aires
>>Flights to Bariloche

Buses from Buenos Aires to Bariloche

There are a lot of bus companies operating between the two cities, including:

  • Via Bariloche : operates 6 buses daily between the cities and also offers the possibility to buy tickets from two other sister companies. There are four types of seats available, which also means the prices are different. The cheapest are Semi Cama seats and a single ticket is 614 Argentine peso / US$140. The travel time is 21 h.
  • Andesmar : operates three buses on this route and the fares are the same. The travel time is about 20 h.

Both companies allow travelers to purchase the tickets online.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Argentina

Driving from Buenos Aires to Bariloche

You can rent a car in the capital and plan to drive the 1570 km (shortest route on RN 5) all the way to Bariloche. The total drive time is about 18 ½ hours (as per Google Maps), but you should plan this as route trip, with multiple stops along the way. Please note that the route mentioned has toll roads.

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Peru travel guide

Getting from Lima to Buenos Aires

Lima ,the capital of Peru, is also the largest city in the country. The city mixes the modern metropolis look with the old colonial architecture. Lima is one of the best city to indulge in the local foods, especially if you look fish and seafood specialties. It’s best to plan your visit during the summer when the weather is warm and sunny. Winters are rainy and overcast.

Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and is one of the largest cities in South America. It is the point of departure for visiting the rest of the country. Buenos Aires is an interesting city to explore which offers a variety of interesting to do. The restaurants and night life are excellent, as well.

Quick summary

Unless you mange to catch a really good deal on airfare between Lima and Buenos Aires, the cheapest option is the bus. But you’ll be traveling for 3 days. Or you can choose a hop-on-off bus ticket and stop along the way to explore different sites (of course, this can take quite a bit of time).

Flights from Lima (airport code: LIM) to Buenos Aires

Lima is served by Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM), the most important international gateway into the country, as well as an important domestic hub. It is located about 11 km from the historical center and is hub for the following airlines: LAN Peru, TACA Peru, Peruvian Airlines, Star Peru and LC Busre.

Buenos Aires is served by Ministro Pistarini International Airport, commonly known as Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), which receives most of the international traffic in the country as well as some domestic traffic. The airport is located at about 30-45 min from the city center. It is hub for Aerolíneas Argentinas, LAN Argentina and SkyTeam.

A second airport serving Buenos Aires is Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP), which is located 20 km from the downtown area, but it’s used mostly for domestic flights.

Flights between Lima and Buenos Aires (EZE) are operated by: Aerolíneas Argentinas, LAN Argentina, LAN Peru, TACA Airlines and TACA Peru. The flight time is 4 ½ h and single fares start at US$623 one way in 2012 (on Aerolíneas Argentinas) . It might be worth it to compare the prices on several different online booking websites.

Read more about :
>>Flights to Peru
>>Flights to Buenos Aires

>>Flights to Lima

Buses from Lima to Buenos Aires

Yes, there are direct buses between Lima and Buenos Aires. However, the travel time is about 70 hours (exactly , 3 days!) . Omni Lineas lists four departures operated by four companies, but only one of the departs daily at 5 p.m. from Buenos Aires. The cheapest ticket is 1030 Argentine Peso / US$238 one way.

If you plan to stop along the way you can grab a hop-on-off flexible pass (such as this one ) which allows you to stop along the way and visiting various sites.

Driving from Lima to Buenos Aires

First of all, you need to ask the rental company whether you can take the rental car across the borders. If it’s possible, prepare for a (very) long drive: 4079 km to be exact, along the Panamericana Sur.

Needless to say, you need to plan stops along the way so this can easily turn into a road trip. Panamericana Sur goes through Chile, while the alternative route (Route 9) goes through Bolivia and Paraguay and is slightly longer.

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Argentina travel guide

Less Popular Sights in Buenos Aires

While there are certainly more visited places on earth than Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires remains one of the most popular stops on a trip through South America. You can certainly check off the must-see sights in the city, including repeated visits to the Milongas to watch (or dance) Tango or to parillas to gorge on some of the best steaks you’ll ever have – but why not explore off the beaten path in Buenos Aires, too?

A recent article on BootsnAll offers some ideas for seeing a less-visited side of Buenos Aires. These aren’t undiscovered spots, especially because they’re populated by locals, but they do give visitors a different look at a popular city. Among the ideas mentioned is to attend a polo match (soccer is huge in Buenos Aires, but polo is big among the upper crust of BA society), visit the theatre-turned-bookstore of El Ateneo, and relax with the locals at Palermo’s Park. Another funny note in the article is that while much of Buenos Aires is noted for its beautiful architecture, one of the prettiest buildings in the city is the one housing the city’s water department – El Sanitario.

Buenos Aires is regularly touted as one of the loveliest European capitals – despite the fact that it’s not in Europe – and travelers like to talk about how much cheaper it is to visit BA than it is to visit Paris. More recently, however, prices in Buenos Aires are starting to rise. They’re still no match for the prices in Europe, but people making return visits to Buenos Aires may be surprised to find the city impacting their wallets more than it used to.

Budget travelers may need to look a bit harder to find deals to Buenos Aires, then, or opt for hostels in BA as opposed to the hotels they stayed in last time – but as is the case with many off-the-beaten-path attractions, the less-popular BA sights listed in this article can help you save money on your trip to Buenos Aires.

photo by jvc

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Argentina Articles

Make Argentina Your Budget Destination

Though the rock-bottom prices of the early 2000’s have gone up considerably Argentina still regularly tops the lists of best cheap countries to visit, thanks to a very favorable dollar to peso exchange rate.  One US dollar will get your nearly four pesos, making the average price for a decent bottle of wine around $4 US and a heaping platter of tender, juicy beef will run you between ten and fifteen bucks.

It’s easy to be put off by the initial cost of traveling to Argentina. Flights to Buenos Aires are not cheap; expect to pay anywhere from $700-$1500 per person, depending on where in the US you’re coming from. But, the extra cost of flights is easily made up once you are on the group. Living large in Argentina on a small budget it quite easy. Cheap Buenos Aires hotels will only cost $25-30 per night for a double room, while slightly more upscale accommodations can be had for under $100. If you’re fine with a dorm bed in a hostel, you can even get by on under $15 per night.

Of course, Buenos Aires is one of the most expensive places in Argentina, seeing as it’s the largest and most cosmopolitan city in the country. In other areas, you can spend even less, though you’ll sacrifice some of the European flavor, low-cost luxury shopping and decadent nightlife present in the capital. For those who want to indulge in fine food, fantastic wine and luxurious accommodations and shopping, Buenos Aires is an ideal destination that allows you to indulge without the high price tag.

Photo by Johnny Shaw

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Argentina travel guide

Buenos Aires: Romance on a Budget

baromanceLong known as the “Paris of South America”, Buenos Aires just oozes sex appeal. The city itself is gorgeous, home to sprawling parks and gardens, European architecture and of course, the sizzling, sultry tango. While it’s not often thought of as such, it’s actually one of the best cheap romantic honeymoon destinations.

Imagine spending your days strolling arm and arm beneath the ornate facades of buildings like the Teatro Colon or wandering through the largest Japanese Garden outside of Japan. Shop for sexy tango shoes in the Palermo neighborhood, or browse antiques at the San Temlo Sunday market. At night, feast on heaping platters of tender beef and glasses of Argentine wine, all for a fraction of what you would pay elsewhere, and then spend your nights tango dancing at a local milonga.

Thanks to a very favorable exchange rate, Argentina is a cheap destination for travelers from North America and Europe. Airfare to Buenos Aires can be on the expensive side (about $800-$1000 from most places in the US) but the savings you’ll experience once you arrive will offset the extra cost of airfare. You’ll find no shortage of cheap hotels in Buenos Aires as well, with even the most lavish, luxurios properties charging less than what you would pay in other parts of the world.

And once you’ve seen the city, there are plenty of places to get away to – taste wine in Mendoza, take a short boat ride to the charming small town of Colonial de Sacremento in Urugauy or head up to Rio de Janeiro to relax on the beach.

Photo by Natalia Romay