What budget for activities and outings Argentina?
Argentina is far from cheap, especially when compared to its Latin American neighbors. It's true that in recent years, prices have been half those in France: inflation has forced the cost of living down, attracting more and more tourists. However, prices are still higher in Patagonia. The vast majority of national parks charge a fee for both domestic and foreign visitors, with discounts sometimes available for students and children. In Argentina, parks and reserves are administered by the APN (Administracion de Parques Nacionales), the organization in charge of parks and reserves. Guides are not compulsory, and you can explore the park trails at your leisure. Note that the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares charges a fee in the southern sector (Perito Moreno glacier), but is free in the northern sector: budget travellers will be able to hike for several days without spending a penny. For Iguazú National Park, you'll pay half price if you return the next day on presentation of your first entrance ticket. As far as museums are concerned, prices are rarely exorbitant, and sometimes they are even free, with just a small contribution on your part. Many points of interest are also free - you just need to be a little curious and take your time: a path can lead to a pretty waterfall, exploring a village and strolling through its streets can be a stroll lasting several hours, a mirador can be an excellent excuse for a lunch break, strolling along the shores of a lake can lead you to discover a secret beach... Argentina is a great playground for those who take the time to savour its different facets.
Most of the activities are accessible either on your own or as part of an organized trip, so it's not a big deal! Most of the time, if you want to take part in the cultural, sports and leisure activities that Argentina has to offer, you will only have to pay the entrance fee to the museum, park or reserve where you want to go. The rest is up to you. However, you should know that some activities cannot be improvised: in Patagonia, in particular, nature can be rebellious and hostile, so it is important to be a great connoisseur or to have someone accompany you to survey its smallest corners! For reasons of access, equipment and safety, activities such as rafting, canyoning, climbing, glacier trekking or volcano climbing are only accessible with a guide. This is where the tour agencies come into play, each one offering advantages: family tours, intimate atmosphere, bilingual guides, ecotours... you will have to study your desires and your conditions, no doubt you will find your happiness. As for whale watching on the Valdes peninsula, the excursion to the Salinas Grandes in Jujuy or the navigation on the Beagle Channel, do not hesitate to form a group with other tourists: the rates are degressive, the more people you have with you, the lower the prices!
If you wish to buy handcrafted products, go to the paseos and ferias de artesanos. Usually covered, these large warehouses house various stands and premises run by local artisans. You will thus avoid manufactured products and will prefer short circuits, which will benefit the local economy. However, you will have little opportunity to exercise your skills as a carpet merchant, as haggling is not really practiced in Argentina. Good news though: for those who have large sums to spend in one go when shopping, be aware that you can get a refund of the amount of VAT (called IVA here). There is a fairly simple system for you to shop tax free in Argentina. You will be able to recover 21% of what you paid in foreign currency in a shop that participates in this system, on each product above a certain amount (invoice required). This system is managed by Global Refund. You will have to ask the seller for a refund cheque at the same time as your purchase (reembolso cheque). At the end of your stay, before taking your plane, you will present this cheque and the corresponding invoice to the customs who must stamp them. Once you are in the international zone, simply go to one of the Global Refund offices to obtain the refund in question (it is made in cash). Alternatively, you can send the documents by post, in which case the refund will be made either by traveller's cheque or by transfer to your account. Global Refund centers are located at the airports of the most popular tourist destinations.
Discotheques, nightclubs and dance bars, theaters, cinemas, theaters... going out in Buenos Aires can quickly add up! Most of the infrastructure is based on a "Europeanized" entry system: paid entry for gentlemen and free entry for ladies on weekends. Alcoholic beverages are also more expensive in discos than in bars, but prices remain reasonable (between 5 and 10 euros). In more remote areas, the absence of discotheques and other party venues doesn't prevent locals from partying when they feel like it: public buildings (the equivalent of "party halls") are open to locals so they can get together and have fun. Generally, all village residents are invited, and if you're a bit curious, it's easy to find out about it: in which case, all the better, as foreigners are often gladly invited!
What budget to eat Argentina?
For breakfast, confiterías and cafés are the best choice. Some offer fixed-price formulas(media luna, one coffee, one orange juice). For lunch, quick menus such as menú ejecutivo are recommended. It will then be easier to devote a substantial part of your budget to the "good restaurants", which are all the more enjoyable to frequent in the evening. It's easy to cut back on your restaurant budget, as long as you're not too fussy about your diet: pizzas, hot dogs, empanadas or creamy pasta dishes, cheap dishes often rhyme with good calorie intake! However, you'll often manage for less than 10 euros and leave with a full stomach. The other option is to go to the supermarkets and do your own shopping, so you can prepare your own meals if your accommodation has a kitchen or if you have a van. Upscale restaurants often offer à la carte dishes, as menus are not commonplace. Venison, wild boar, trout, salmon or crab - local products often demand a price tag, but this is still reasonable compared to the European market: expect to pay around 15 or 20 euros for a dish. In town, all forms of payment are accepted, but in more remote areas, the bill is usually paid in cash. However, if a credit card is accepted, you'll have to pay a small additional fee. Good to know: some restaurants offer a 10% discount for cash payments. If you've bitten off more than you can chew, you'll be pleased to know that even if the practice is still not widespread, it's not at all frowned upon to ask for a doggy-bag. It's a great way to save money for the next day's meal! Finally, if you book a restaurant online on certain sites, you can get discounts of up to 40% when you pay the bill, as in some establishments in Paris.
Drink prices are significantly lower than those on the European market. For alcoholic beverages, take advantage of happy hours, when you can buy two drinks for the price of one, or benefit from discounts of up to 50% off the price of a glass. In general, expect to pay AR$6,000 per pint in Argentina. Some bars also offer interesting and inexpensive craft beer tastings.
What is the budget for accommodation Argentina?
From camping to luxury hotels, ecolodges to homestays, there is no shortage of accommodation options in Argentina. Even though the country covers a vast territory, there is a wide range of accommodation options to suit all tastes. If you're traveling alone, it's best to look for hostels that offer dormitory beds, or if you're well equipped, you can camp for less. For families and groups of friends, it is best to stay in cabañas, which are basic but often comfortable and well-equipped bungalows. Long-distance travelers who travel by van will save on lodging: however, do not set up camp just anywhere to spend the night, preferring to use the sites provided for this purpose, campsites or even private land in exchange for a small sum of money.
Travel budget Argentina and cost of living
Argentina is far from cheap. Generally speaking, prices are higher than in the rest of South America. In recent years, however, the country, which is currently in the throes of an economic crisis and is seeing the peso plummet, is banking on tourism to attract foreign currency. Paradoxically, this is a real boon for tourists, who will be able to afford a trip that is certainly less expensive than expected, without having to restrict themselves. Here are three examples to help you plan your day-to-day budget on the spot; but beware once again: this is likely to change in the months to come. That's why we try to display prices in dollars (US$) whenever possible. For small budgets, you can expect to pay between AR$5,000 and AR$10,000 per person in a dormitory; between AR$8,000 and AR$15,000 for camping; around AR$15,000 to AR$25,000 for a menu or tenedor libre ("free fork", i.e. all-you-can-eat dishes or buffet); transport fares have skyrocketed in recent years.. expect to pay between AR$60,000 and AR$90,000 for longer distances (more than 5 hours' travel), and up to AR$115,000 for more than 20 hours' travel (a Salta - Buenos Aires trip, for example). Of course, add extras (excursions, outings, etc.). Around AR$10,000 per day is a realistic assumption if you're really short of cash and looking for the cheapest addresses (if you're cooking or eating empanadas, for example), but a little idealistic if you intend to make the most of it. For average budgets, expect to pay around AR$30,000 per person to sleep; meals around AR$15,000. Allow at least AR$ 45,000 to AR$ 70,000 per person per day. To sleep, higher budgets should count from 80 € (about 85 400 AR$) for a double room; gourmet meals from 30 000 $ to 80 000 AR$ per person; as usual, excursions and transport in supplement (possible plane). Expect to pay around AR$100,000 to AR$150,000 per person per day to be in heaven, and much more if you don't count. Finally, Patagonia is more expensive than anywhere else in Argentina.
