Cheap But Cool Things to Do in Buenos Aires – Experiencing the Culture on a Budget
Cheap But Cool Things to Do in Buenos Aires – Experiencing the Culture on a Budget
As part of a larger trip to South America, Buenos Aires was my boyfriend and I’s first stop. We spent a little over a month there, and I loved it! Some have compared Buenos Aires to Paris, and I agree! Buenos Aires is larger than you think, filled with beautiful architecture, tons of restaurants, and unfortunately, like Paris, it’s expensive!
This price increase is due to recent changes in the Argentinian economy, and during our time there, I heard many different perspectives about it. Most prices were similar to those in the US, which at least for budget travelers like us, encouraged us to find cheap, but still cool, activities that fit our budget. Some of these options involved food and others were places around the city to enjoy.
Here are ten ways you can still dive into the culture of Buenos Aires without taking out a loan (plus bonus tips):
1. Explore the Different “Barrios”
If you’re staying in Buenos Aires for a decent chunk of time like we were, this would be a great budget activity to do when you first get there. Even if you’re only there for a short time, it’s worth checking out the different “barrios,” as the city is much larger than you’d think, and each area is unique.
👉 Something that is cheap in Buenos Aires: Ubers! Compared to US prices, it was still really cheap to rent Ubers in the city. You could, of course, use public transportation as well, but if you’re lazy like me, Uber was still a budget-friendly way to get around the different neighborhoods.
Palermo
Palermo is the area with the most tourists, which is either a good or bad thing depending on what you’re looking for. It’s broken up into even smaller areas, such as Palermo “Soho” and “Hollywood.” It had a lot of nightclubs, trendy restaurants, and cafes, but they’re much more expensive in this area. However, Palermo has many green spaces which are in fact worth visiting, which I’ll touch on later.
Recoleta
Similar to Palermo, Recoleta is an upperscale barrio. However, the architecture here is worth walking by.
This is where the Recoleta Cemetery is, which is basically a giant maze-like cemetery with life-size mausoleums to wander through. I didn’t include it as its own activity here because it didn’t exactly fit the cool but “cheap” things to do in Buenos Aires category. I found the tickets a bit expensive for what it was, especially because after we visited on our own, it seemed like one of those activities where having a tour guide actually does make a difference. Without someone there to explain the significance of each person, we were left feeling a bit underwhelmed and confused. That being said, it’s still a really interesting place to visit.
Caballito
I have to shout out Caballito because this is where we stayed. Caballito was a quiet suburban area, about an hour-long walk from Palermo (I know this because we had to walk to Palermo everyday for Spanish Class). Though there are less restaurants here, the architecture in Caballito is worth walking by! Each home had its own unique garage door and patio, it was just a cute area to wander around in.
👉If you happen to end up in this area, please try this cafe! Barragán Lonchería y Café
It was my favorite little cafe near us and the food and coffee was absolutely delicious every time. They have a spicy blackberry cold brew, delicious homemade salsas, and the French toast was one of the best I’ve ever had. Not exactly “cheap,” but I had to give them a shoutout because it’s so good.
San Telmo
San Telmo is a more historic area of Buenos Aires and was one of my favorite spots. You can merely walk the cobblestone streets and walk around antique shops, a fun and free activity for anyone.
There are more barrios in Buenos Aires, 48 to be exact, but these ones are the areas I was most familiar with so I will stick to them for now. The point is, you can go on your own free walking tour of the city and spend an entire day observing the differences between each place!
2. Explore the Palermo Gardens
As I mentioned, despite not being a huge fan of the social scene in Palermo, this part of the city has beautiful parks and gardens, all of which provide budget-friendly activities in Buenos Aires.
The Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden in Palermo is a lush oasis that shelters you from the surrounding city when you’re inside. With over 5,000 plant species, it’s a beautiful place to walk around and observe all the different flowers, trees, and even cacti. I saw many locals gathering here, hanging out on the grass or eating pints of ice cream on the benches. It’s very quiet when you’re inside, and free!
El Rosedal de Palermo
Another cool but free activity is El Rosedal de Palermo, a romantic rose garden situated in the far end of Palermo near the river. There are rows and rows of rose bushes to wander through with sculptures scattered among them. By the lagoon are pergolas to relax on while you watch the duck boats swim by. It is another place to merely relax outside, away from the noise of the city.
Japanese Garden
Though there’s a fee to enter this garden, it’s not expensive and still a nice way to spend an afternoon. Apparently one of the largest outside of Japan, this garden really does look out of place once you’re inside the gates. Upon entry, you are greeted by classic red Japanese architecture surrounding a beautiful Zen Garden.
There are bridges you can walk across to observe the giant koi fish and other pavilions to relax by. It’s not the most thrilling activity, but it’s interesting to see such contrast in architecture and it can be relaxing if you take your time. If you speed through it, or get bored by just wandering around, the ticket price won’t be worth it for you.
3. Have a Picnic and Drink Mate in a Park!
One thing I noticed as soon as we got to Buenos Aires was how many beautiful parks there are! They all vary slightly, but most of them have multiple areas with different activities such as calisthenic equipment, soccer fields or basketball courts, places to rollerblade, tracks to run around, etc.
Buenos Aires Parks
Despite the differences, they all had two things in common: a TON of dogs and people drinking Mate. The dogs roam free in Buenos Aires, most of them running around without a leash, something I noticed right away as being different from the U.S. They all play with each other and just follow their owners around behind them; it’s a cool and cheap activity in and of itself!
What Even is Mate?
I had vaguely heard of Mate before traveling to Buenos Aires, but I had no idea how significant it was to the culture. Everybody carries around both the Mate cup, yerba, and thermos to continue refilling it everywhere! There are even special bags to hold these items made specifically for Mate. I’d say it’s even more prevalent in Argentina than coffee is in America!
The Yerba mate plant is native to South America, and I was corrected when I asked if it was simply green tea. It has a large ritual significance here, and the act of passing the cup around and sharing with friends is something I saw everywhere. Back at home, sharing straws -especially after COVID- is not super common, but I thought it was special to see everyone interacting so closely with their friends in Buenos Aires. The act of drinking Mate also meant spending time with people you love, making it a social activity too!
There are places all around the city to buy the items to make your own Mate at home, as it’s not really something just any cafe offers on the menu. When I asked why, I was told that this is because everyone makes it differently! You can add sugar or use different types of leaves, both of which affect the bitterness of the drink. I think it’d be a fun souvenir to bring back home and a way to really fit in with the locals.
Bring “Picada” From a Local Market
When we went over to a local Argentinian house for dinner, the first thing on the table was “Picada,” which was described to us as small, shareable snacks before a dinner, similar to an Antipasto. With its heavy Italian influence, another aspect that surprised me about Buenos Aires, there are places to buy fresh bread, cheese, cured meats, olives, and anything else you may want for a picnic! Instead of buying food at a restaurant, this is a cheap way to try some of the regional food and eat it like the locals do – sitting on the grass at a park!
4. Go to an Underground Jazz Concert
While some other activities can be expensive, going to an underground Jazz concert is a fun and unique activity to do in Buenos Aires on a budget. If you like live music, these concerts are a great way to find hidden bars and restaurants that you otherwise may not have heard of.
The one we went to was in Palermo: Prez – Jazz & Music Club.
It was easy to buy tickets on their site and they were pretty cheap. Don’t get me wrong, I really never listen to jazz music on my own time, but I enjoy any live music, so this was a cool experience. It felt like an authentic activity because it was clearly a local band, and they were really good! If you want a romantic activity to do with your partner -or yourself, no judgment! – it’s something cheap to do in Buenos Aires that isn’t dropping 100$ on dinner.
5. Self-Guided Street Food Tour
Speaking of dropping 100$ on dinner, let’s talk about food. Buenos Aires has some really famous restaurants, and especially in Palermo, there are a ton of high-end options to choose from. If you have the money, good for you! We, on the other hand, did not. Therefore, many of our meals were made at home. However, there are many street-style foods or small vendors around the city where you can still try the local cuisine.
Empanadas!
Most notably, there are places to get empanadas literally everywhere. There are many different kinds, each with various fillings and savory-to-sweet ratios. Not all empanadas are made the same, but they are all less than a couple dollars each! Therefore, it’s the perfect food to try around different places and see which ones you like the best.
Pizza in Buenos Aires
As I mentioned, there is a heavy Italian presence in Buenos Aires. There is no shortage of bread and cheese, something that was not great for my stomach. Like the empanadas, there are also pizza shops everywhere, each with slightly different variations in quality and taste, making it another great option for a self-guided tour.
The famous pizza that is traditional in Argentina is the Fugazzeta, which is essentially mozzarella pizza with a heaping portion of cooked onions. Sometimes the cheese is stuffed inside the dough.
Coming from Connecticut, where New Haven style pizza is said to be some of the best in the country (just let me have this moment if you disagree, CT doesn’t have much else to boast about), the Argentinian pizza wasn’t exactly my style. However, everyone has different tastes in pizza, so it’s another cheap way to experience the local culture on a budget.
In some places, you can even find deals for a bunch of empanadas and pizza. “Big Pizza” is a chain in Buenos Aires, but there are other local places that have discounts like this as well.
Choripan in Buenos Aires
The other famous Argentinian street food is “Choripan”, a chorizo sausage served in a bun, often with some type of sauce on top. I don’t normally eat sausage, but I did try Choripan one time for the experience. Personally, it tasted like a much better version of a hot dog? I will admit it was actually delicious. Again, every place varies in quality so you can try them on your own!
Hop around Heladerias
As you can see, living in Buenos Aires for a month was not good for my stomach or skin. There are ice cream shops all over the city and it’s another cheap way to try local food. I found the ice cream to be more similar to Italian gelato, as it was perfectly creamy and soft. If you get a pint, which is usually a better deal, it comes in a Styrofoam container. This was an adjustment as you have to try not to break the container while you eat, as to avoid swallowing Styrofoam. However, I often saw locals bringing these pints to the parks, the Botanical Garden, and all over to enjoy.
Plus, learning how to order ice cream in Spanish was an activity in and of itself! We also tried whatever this was called below, a scoop of ice cream covered in a hardened layer of chocolate!
Try a Medialuna
Another traditional, and cheap, Argentine treat is the “medialuna,” a half-moon shaped pastry that’s similar to a regular croissant. They’re usually a bit smaller and are brushed with a sweet glaze on top. There are also savory options stuffed with ham and cheese. You can find them at any “panaderia” (local bakery) or at most cafes, often served as a deal with coffee! Again, they are slightly different no matter where you try them, making it a perfect addition to your self-guided food tour.
Paid Food Tours
I wanted to note you could pay for a food tour, such as ones on the Airbnb experience tab, but the options we looked at were pricey. If you’re looking for cheap options for things to do, I think just walking around and trying anything that looks good is a better option.
6. Self-Guided Wine Tour
Similar to the food tour, trying different wines in Buenos Aires is (surprisingly) cheap and easy to do. For some reason, despite everything else being expensive, wine in Buenos Aires is incredibly cheap! You can find bottles for less than eight USD and can buy a “copa” (glass) for only a couple dollars at any bar or restaurant.
Argentina is known for having great wine, mostly from the Mendoza region in the North, which produces most of the country’s wine.
Argentine Malbec
Of course, you have to try the Argentine Malbec when you’re in Buenos Aires. This red wine is known for being an Argentine delicacy and it pairs perfectly with the heavy presence of meat and cheese there as well!
Argentine Torrontes Wine
On the other hand, if you like white wine, the Torrontes grape is almost exclusively grown in Argentina, specifically from the Salta region! I usually prefer white wine, and I tried a (very cheap) bottle from the grocery store, and it was delicious.
With this information, and whatever else you can easily research yourself, you can go on a self-guided wine tour in Buenos Aires for a really cheap price!
7. Find a Local, Affordable Parrilla
In addition to trying the street food, attending an Argentinian Parrilla feels like a must-do when in Buenos Aires. Hower, the top places can be very expensive, and this can be discouraging to budget-travelers. Luckily, there are options that still allow you to enjoy this tradition without spending more money than you want to!
What is a Parrilla?
If I understood correctly during my time in Buenos Aires, a “Parrilla” is both a style of cooking and the name for the steakhouses where you can try the meat. The meats are cooked using special techniques, but they aren’t served with a bunch of sauce like a typical American BBQ. Parrillas are where you can try the famous “Asado,” different sausages, “provoleta” (grilled Provolone cheese), and other dishes.
Finding an Affordable Parrilla in Buenos Aires
When you search for Parrillas, many of the famous ones, like “Don Julio,” will come up. However, if you walk around the city, you’ll notice that you pass by many Parrillas by chance. If you want to avoid the higher prices, I would stay away from the Palermo area.
We were given this suggestion by a local as it was near Caballito, where he grew up. It was called “Boliche de Dario.” They only have a facebook page, but here is the address:
Av. Corro 399 – Floresta /// Av. Gaona 1584 – Caballito, Buenos Aires, Argentina
We tried the “All you can eat” option, which meant we could order as much meat as we wanted for a very cheap price. For someone who was vegetarian for four years prior to traveling to South America (that’s a topic for another time), this was a very interesting experience.
Parrilla Tips so you Don’t Make the Same Mistakes We Did:
👉”Ojo de bife” is not beef eyeball, it’s Ribeye. Therefore, it’s a great option and not something to be scared of like I was. Yes, I’m embarrassed about this.
👉Asado de tira is essentially short rib, bife de chorizo is like sirloin, and these were both yummy.
👉The chimichurri was my favorite thing on the menu, and I would have eaten it by the spoonful (I might have actually done this).
👉The empanadas from the Parrilla were the best we had during our whole time in Buenos Aires; the filling was way better than any of the street vendors (obviously).
👉”Chinchulines” are intestines! No hate to the Argentineans, but this was where I drew the line. My former-vegetarian self was able to try everything besides these and the blood sausages. People seem to love them, just be aware of what you’re eating because it can be confusing when it’s all in a different language.
Moral of the story, you can still take part in a traditional Parrilla in Buenos Aires for a cheaper price, you just have to do a little more research.
Explore San Telmo Market
Though this list is in no special order, the San Telmo Market really should be at the top. Located within the historic district of San Telmo, the San Telmo Market is in a large building filled with many different food stalls and cafes. There are even places to buy produce.
Open-Air “Feria” at San Telmo
This building is open all throughout the week, but I recommend going on a Sunday so you can also walk around the famous “feria,” which is an open-air portion where you can find even more local vendors, selling everything from hand-made crafts to the traditional dulce-de-leche pastries. When we went, the streets were filled with live street performances like tango dancers, an opera singer, anything you can imagine!
Food at San Telmo Market
If you really want to keep things cheap, you can merely walk around or buy a cheap empanada and coffee like we did. However, if you want something more to eat, there are a ton of options inside and it’s really fun to walk around to see the different options. In addition to our empanada snack, we ate at this Swiss restaurant called “Je Suis Raclette” and the sandwich was delicious – juicy meat, sweet tomatoes and melted cheese.
9. Walk Around La Boca, Buenos Aires
If you’re up for the 30ish minute walk, you can even walk from San Telmo to La Boca, creating the perfect day-trip itinerary. Along the way, there are more vendors and antique shops to stop in, as well as a park where we saw a live drum performance!
What to Do in La Boca, Buenos Aires
La Boca is a destination that comes up on every “What to do in Buenos Aires” website, and I understand why, but I’m going to give an honest review.
The PROS:
I put La Boca in this guide because it is still a fun and cheap activity. La Boca has its own artistic charm, a stark contrast from the historic buildings in San Telmo. As you can see in photos, the buildings along the famous “El Caminito” street are extremely colorful, making for some beautiful pictures. There are also Tango dancers outside of the restaurants, which can be special if you do sit down to watch them (we did not, as we have just eaten at San Telmo Market, which I still think was a better choice).
The CONS
La Boca is very small and very touristy. I think it’s a great addition to the San Telmo Market trip because you’re already over in that area and La Boca wasn’t exactly somewhere to make a day trip out of. Besides the tiny strip of restaurants and colorful buildings, there’s not a whole lot to do. Also, most people say to avoid La boca at night or really venturing outside of this one area because it can be a little sketchy.
Overall, it’s definitely worth the visit and is a fun place to walk around and sightsee, I just don’t want you to feel underwhelmed by the size and available activities.
10. Visit Ateneo Grand Splendid Bookstore
Similar to La Boca, Ateneo Grand Splendid is another place that comes up frequently on things to do. Again, it’s a great cheap option to visit somewhere you don’t see every day: a huge bookstore set within an old theatre! The books line the tall walls and old balconies. The stage is now a cafe where you can sit and read while drinking coffee.
It’s a bit of a touristy destination, so it felt a little crowded with people taking pictures, but there were actually many people using it as a bookstore as well! It’s not somewhere you’d spend a ton of time in, but it’s a great budget-friendly activity if you’re in the area.
👉If you’re going to the Prez Jazz bar, we visited Ateneo Grand Splendid beforehand because they’re right around the corner from each other!
Cheap But Cool Things to do in Buenos Aires
Hopefully I gave you some budget-friendly ideas for visiting Buenos Aires. There are definitely areas to splurge a little, but that all depends on your priorities! No matter what you do, it’s a beautiful and diverse city that offers many options for anybody.
