Is Argentina expensive to visit?
Argentina is not only a popular destination, but it is also fairly affordable. Compared to the rest of South America, it is a moderately priced country to visit. It's ranked in the top 50% of countries in South America for its travel costs, and is comparable to destinations such as Bolivia and Peru.
Argentina is fairly popular with tourists. You'll find a wide array of destinations for a range of prices. El Chalten, Tilcara, and San Carlos de Bariloche are some of the most expensive places to visit. However, if you're looking for cheaper alternatives, you can visit Salta, San Miguel de Tucuman, and Cafayate.
Average daily price of selected cities in Argentina, by affordability
City | Average Daily Cost |
---|---|
San Carlos de Bariloche | $96 |
Tilcara | $86 |
El Chalten | $72 |
Rosario | $69 |
La Plata | $69 |
Cordoba | $68 |
Puerto Madryn | $67 |
Mar del Plata | $63 |
Buenos Aires, Argentina | $63 |
Mendoza | $62 |
Humahuaca | $62 |
Cafayate | $59 |
San Miguel de Tucuman | $56 |
Salta | $50 |

Mar del Plata, Argentina
How expensive is Argentina?
On average, visitors spend about $73 per day during their visit to Argentina (U.S. Dollars). Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Argentina here.
How expensive is a one week trip to Argentina?
A one week trip to Argentina costs about $514 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,028.
How expensive is a two week trip to Argentina?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a two week trip to Argentina costs around $1,028 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a two week trip costs $2,055.
How expensive is a month long trip to Argentina?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one month trip to Argentina will cost around $2,202 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one month trip would cost $4,404.

Mt. Fitz Roy, Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina (Near El Chalten)
Is it expensive to backpack in Argentina?
Argentina is a popular backpacker destination with more than 280 hostels around the country. Hostels cost, on average, $10 per night for a dorm. (See hostel prices in Argentina here.) In particular, many backpackers head to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Salta, and Mendoza. You'll find the most expensive hostels in Ushuaia, Puerto Madryn, and El Chalten, which average $20, $18, and $14 a night. The cheapest hostels are in Puerto Iguazu, Cafayate, and Tilcara which average $7, $5, and $5 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Argentina.
- $11 for a dorm bed at America del Sur Hostel Buenos Aires in Buenos Aires
- $1 for a dorm bed at Prisamata in Salta
- $11 for a dorm bed at Lagares Hostel in Mendoza
Where to find affordable hostels in Argentina
City | Number of Hostels | Average Price for a Dorm |
---|---|---|
Buenos Aires, Argentina | 41 | $14 |
Salta | 29 | $7 |
Mendoza | 29 | $8 |
El Calafate | 22 | $11 |
Puerto Iguazu | 21 | $7 |
Mar del Plata | 17 | $11 |
Cordoba | 16 | $9 |
El Chalten | 15 | $14 |
Ushuaia | 14 | $20 |
San Rafael | 12 | $8 |
Tilcara | 11 | $5 |
Rosario | 9 | $10 |
San Salvador de Jujuy | 6 | $11 |
Puerto Madryn | 6 | $18 |
Neuquen | 6 | $12 |
Cafayate | 5 | $5 |
Humahuaca | 5 | $7 |
Are hotels expensive in Argentina?
From our analysis of hotel prices in Argentina, we can see that they are slightly lower in cost compared to other countries. The average rate for a room is approximately $87 per night. Keep in mind that pricing can vary across cities in the country, with places like Cafayate commanding a higher average of $136 per night. Conversely, there are more economical options like Buenos Aires, Argentina, Cordoba, and San Miguel de Tucuman, where hotel prices average around $64, $63, and $55 per night.
Where to find affordable hotels in Argentina
City | Average Hotel Price |
---|---|
Cafayate | $136 |
San Carlos de Bariloche | $126 |
Ushuaia | $122 |
El Chalten | $106 |
Puerto Madryn | $95 |
Mar del Plata | $65 |
Rosario | $64 |
Buenos Aires, Argentina | $64 |
Cordoba | $63 |
San Miguel de Tucuman | $55 |

Cafayate, Argentina
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Argentina?
In Argentina, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the country. On average, previous travelers have spent around $29 per day on sightseeing and entertainment.
- Tour to Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca: $37
- "SAILING TOUR: Tango and Choripan (typical Argentine food) : $300
- Discover Buenos Aires: Private Tour with Your Expert Local Guide: $180
- Rafting experience on the Rio de las Vueltas in Patagonia: $100
- N1 Coffee Tasting Experience in Buenos Aires: $85
- 1-Day Private Tour In the Iguacu Falls of Brazil and Argentina : $106
- Private Photography Tour in Buenos Aires: $140
- Buenos Aires Maradona Experience: $113
Is food expensive in Argentina?
In Argentina, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $7 per day on food, per person.
- Buenos Aires Food Tour: 8+ Local Flavors, Steak, Empanadas & More: $95
- Private Argentine Cooking Class and Tango Lesson in Buenos Aires: $182
- 4 Hour Private Argentine Cooking Lessons and Wine Testing: $218
- La Ventana Tango Show with Private Transfers and Optional Dinner: $111
- Traditional Argentine food tour in Buenos Aires: $73
- Argentine Asado and Cooking Class in Buenos Aires with Locals: $159

Ushuaia, Argentina
Is transportation expensive in Argentina?
Local transportation in Argentina can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $3 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
Expenses for intercity transportation within Argentina can vary based on the type of transportation used and the distance traveled. On average, previous travelers have spent $96 per person per day for intercity transit. To save money, it's advisable to choose long-distance buses or trains over air travel. This is generally a more cost-effective choice despite the potential increase in travel time.
More for Argentina
If you're planning a trip to Argentina, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.