How Much Is a Tourist Day in Buenos Aires?

But what are the prices of Buenos Aires? How much does a cup of coffee cost? What about staying at a hotel, visiting a museum, or eating a good asado? You’ll find the answers in this note.

Walking around Buenos Aires paved streets and getting lost in bookshops, bars, cafés, theatres, museums, parks, and colourful spots. All this has never seemed that good. Summer heat is around the corner, and Buenos Aires’ chest swells with pride to show tourists from all parts of the globe why it is considered one of the world’s best cities (according to the British magazine Time out, it stands in the 35th position). 

In line with this idea, the capital is full of plans for all kinds of wallets. The exchange rate, beneficial for foreigners, allows an endless number of cultural and gastronomic plans capturing Argentinian essence. 

Obviously, a whole journey is not enough to discover the wonders this Latin American city hides. Yet, the itinerary can be adapted based on your interests and tastes. We have already told you about the best places to visit by bike, so now, we will complement the tour with attractions and unmissable dishes that perfectly match it.

Take it down because you 24 hours in national territory start now:

Cafés —Breakfast and Snacks

At this point, you know for sure that gastronomy is an inherent part of Argentinian identity. Regardless of the time of the day, there’s always a unique gourmet selection waiting for those who dare come into the culinary world. The undisputed star is the asado, even though it is not the only dish that will captivate you. 

The mornings have their sweet figures: medialunas. They are a local version of the French croissants, but the Argentinian spell turns them into a true pastry work of art. The most classic breakfasts in the southern territory include this half-moon dough (with dulce de leche, buttered, or salted) with a generous cup of coffee with milk. Starting your day with this blend of tastes is around US$ 2.

The historical cafés, or bares notables, are spots you can’t miss. They are located in 25 neighbourhoods. They bear such names because they are history-packed, and they have a unique cultural value due to their antiquity, architecture, and local relevance. So, the medialuna and coffee are experienced with an extra touch of magic in these places. You can read this note to learn about these classic Buenos Aires cafés a bit more. 

Another firm ally of the symbolic morning infusion is the ham and cheese toast sandwich in pan de miga. There’s no great science behind the recipe, but the result is a crusty sandwich with a unique taste that can only be discovered in Buenos Aires. The cup of coffee and toasted sandwich are US$ 3.75. 

Museums

Art in Buenos Aires also has a privileged position in the touristic planner. The museum offer is varied, and the artistic angle is fully covered if we add the cultural centre suggestions. From works by renowned Latin American artists to paintings of Monet, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Velásquez, and Gaugin, museums in Argentina stand firm and offer an attractive circuit for art lovers.

The average ticket to get into a museum goes from US$ 1.25 to US$ 2.50, depending on the weekday and type of building. Do you want to hear the great news? Many options are free, and others have a specific free day or days with a reduced price.

Take down the unmissable museums: Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA), Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo, Museo de Arte Moderno, Museo Larreta, Museo Sívori, Museo Quinquela Martín, Museo Histórico Nacional, Fundación Proa, Centro Cultural Recoleta, and Museo Casa Rosada.1 

Theatres 

Theatre phenomenon invades the night scene in Corrientes street, offering comedy, drama, and music shows. To the rhythm of the historical bookshops and pizza restaurants of the street leading into the Obelisco, theatres invite locals and tourists to submerge themselves into stories and tales, with top-notch mise-en-scène. Average tickets cost US$ 10.

The great Teatro Colón leads the Buenos Aires musical venue lists. Its architecture, perfect acoustics, and historical value place it in the world ranking best positions. A fifty-minute guided tour around the inside of this icon is US$ 7. Mind you! You can get a discount from Monday to Sunday from 9 to 11 a.m., and from 3:30 to 5 p.m. If you want to watch a live event, ballet prices go from US$ 17.50 for a lateral stage-box seat to US$ 27.50 for a front stage-box seat. 

Another interesting and contemporary option is Microteatro, a place where several short plays coexist. They are about fifteen-minute long, and the audience is smaller. The number of artists and the environment created is ideal for enjoying theatre in a more decontracted place. Tickets are US$ 2.25 on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and US$ 2.50 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Restaurants

The circuit can only conclude if you try the typical tastes of Argentina. Those that travel around the world and have won international fame. Those that are created with the same passion Argentinians experience a football match. Those that are savoured with energy and determination until the plate is empty. How much is trying a popular dish in Buenos Aires?

Having a bife de chorizo, or sirloin strip, in Argentina’s (and the world’s) best parilla is US$ 15. Don Julio was awarded the 13th position in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021 ranking. If you added a water bottle and a French fries side dish, the total would be US$ 21. If you want to try the classic Buenos Aires pizzas (the focal point is Corrientes street), US$ 4 is enough for a big mozzarella pizza. 

The renowned bodegones, gastronomic venues with an extensive local alternative menu are also on the unmissable podium. A milanesa con papas fritas, or Wiener schnitzel with fries, is US$ 3.5; a pasta dish is around US$ 3, and empanadas are US$ 0.60 per unit.

Hotels

A hectic tour day is worthy of good rest. And Buenos Aires accommodation places satisfy all the requirements for a comfortable night’s rest. Prices for a double room for two people in a standard hotel start from US$ 25, based on the area and type of hotel. Hostels are the low-cost options, and a bed in a six-bedroom dorm is US$ 8. If you look for a five-star luxury hotel, the soiree can cost from US$ 100 to US$ 350

Free Tourist Attractions

We have already told you that the city of fury suits all wallets. And it is not difficult to find magical spots that invite you to spend hours observing and chatting to honour the friendly Argentinian roots.

The distinct green areas in the city of Buenos Aires overwhelms visitors’ eyes. So, there are more than enough alternatives to get to know the city for free and in the open air. The Botanic Garden, Ecological Reserve, forests and the Palermo Rose Garden, the riverbank area, Floralis Genérica, loads of squares (San Martín, Francia, Micaela Bastidas, Centenario, Rivadavia, and Sarmiento, among others), streets and entire neighbourhoods. What’s the plan? A picnic blanket and food. There you are, an excellent outdoor picnic. 

All streets and avenues are worthy of a stroll. Yet, the iconic 9 de Julio crosses the city centre and is home to one of the country’s most famous monuments: the Obelisco, of 67.5 metres high. To take the best photo, go at sunset, when the sky turns orange, contrasting the white tower and painting the perfect picture. 

The most popular and ideal for walking neighbourhoods are: Puerto Madero, the modern pole of the city; La Boca, with its popular Caminito; Palermo and its striking murals; Recoleta, to take pictures of its amazing architecture and visit one of the world’s most beautiful bookshop, Ateneo Splendid; and San Telmo, to step on stone-paved streets loaded with history, get lost in the local market, and watch tango dance for free in Plaza Dorrego.