7 things to do in Buenos Aires on a low budget

Buenos Aires is a city that never sleeps as you can read in the testimonials of some of the interns. This doesn’t mean that you have to spend a lot of money getting to know this beautiful city. We have 7 recommendations for you, and the good thing: for free!

1. Walk through downtown Buenos Aires

The famous 9 de Julio Avenue is one of the most famous avenues in the city and the widest in the world (140m, 18 lanes!). It runs through different tourist icons and is the first one you must visit. In the center you will see the Obelisk and a multitude of people and traffic.

From here several streets come off that are full of tourism. On the one hand, Corrientes Avenue with its many theaters, sidewalk monuments and the most delicious pizza; on the other, Avenida de Mayo that connects the Plaza de Mayo and the Plaza Congreso, two significant squares for citizens with a political and historical heart. The Casa Rosada or Government House is located in the Plaza de Mayo.

Tip: during the weekends you can take guided tours inside the Casa Rosada, totally free, registering online approximately 15 days before.

2. Enter the Caminito and the La Boca neighborhood

Another thing to do in Buenos Aires with little money is to visit this charming and colorful neighborhood, right next to the old port of Buenos Aires. It is worth taking a stroll among the dozens of craft stalls and paintings that capture the spirit of Buenos Aires.

Recommendable is a visit during the day, with time, so that you can enjoy the colors and street tango shows and then get lost in the passion of soccer visiting La Bombonera, home of the team of Diego Maradona and Carlos Tevez: Boca Juniors.

3. Visit the San Telmo Market

The Mercado de San Telmo is full of surprises, you need to go in time to calmly observe everything there is, as well as the delicious and traditional food it offers.

In addition to visiting the market, which is fascinating, the whole neighborhood has a lot to offer so take your time to walk and have fun. Every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the neighborhood opens all its antique markets where you will find many things from different times, which will transport you to other times.

Everything in San Telmo is part of the essence of Buenos Aires, it is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, therefore you will find classical architecture and also cafes and places to eat, very traditional, and at a very good price. One of the must-sees to visit in Buenos Aires without spending a lot of money.

4. See Recoleta and its Cemetery

Recoleta is one of the most expensive and elegant neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, surrounded by beautiful squares. And the beautiful Floralis Generica, a flower-shaped steel monument, which opens and closes its petals depending on the time of day.

This neighborhood is also home of the Recoleta Cemetery. More than a cemetery it is an art museum since 1800, where the remains of important and influential people of Argentine history are found. Its marble mausoleums are dedicated to entire families and are adorned with sculptures and other extravagant monuments that reflect the luxury of Argentine high society.

5. Enter the Ateneo Grand Splendid

The Ateneo Grand Splendid is considered one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world and they are not mistaken. It is built in what was an old theater, the Grand Splendid, and has preserved some elements from those years of splendor, which began in 1919.

Today, it is still possible to appreciate its oil-painted dome with a representation celebrating the end of the First World War, the original balconies of the Grand Splendid and even the velvet curtain on the stage. In the bookstore there are many books to buy, but also a cafe where you can sit and read for a while, in a magical setting.

6. Dive into Palermo

Palermo in its entirety is the most attractive neighborhood for tourists, there are plenty of hostels for all tastes, and the main points of interest in this neighborhood are quite a few.

• Plaza Serrano, a must-see, tremendous to be with friends, full of bars, restaurants, artisans and independent designers.
• The Botanical Garden is almost 170 years old, it has been carefully designed with more than 5,000 species of plants, beautiful sculptures and greenhouses, to walk one morning and recharge.
• Bosques de Palermo is a beautiful place to exercise, picnic and be with friends, decorated with rose gardens, forests and lakes.
• The Rosedal de Palermo is one of the most beautiful parks in the city. Next to the important collection of rose bushes is the lake with pergolas, bridges, groves and the Garden of Poets.

7) Spend a day in Tigre

This beautiful and colorful city is located on the shore of the exotic Paraná Delta, an hour by train and is a good place to go for a day trip. The Puerto de Frutos is one of the main attractions, as well as the Delta through which you can take a boat ride, which is not free but the price is affordable.

Before this beautiful place was the landing space for fruit that came from other places. Today, there is a handicrafts market – especially made of wicker, reed and pine – as well as different restaurants and cafes. Around the Puerto de Frutos market there is also the Casino de Tigre, the Parque de la Costa (the only amusement park in Buenos Aires) and the Tren de la Costa.