Explore
Argentina’s beauty on a budget
By Oscar Montealegre
On-line Forty-Niner
 Just
a couple of years ago, Argentina was a very
expensive country to visit. It was so expensive
that Argentineans would go to cheap countries,
such as the United States. But since the
collapse, Argentina is ironically a haven
for travelers, especially students due to
how ‘cheap’ everything is now.
Argentina’s former economic policy had the
peso one-to-one to the U.S. dollar, which
kept prices high but inflation under control.
Now, because of the enormous devaluation
of the peso, the peso has shrunk to about
half the value of the U.S. dollar. Which
means that tourism has exploded in Argentina,
going up more than 50 percent.
The expensive part is traveling to Argentina,
but once people arrive they are amazed by
how economical the country is, realizing
that Argentina was practically the model
nation for Latin American countries.
Buenos Aires has three star hotels that
cost between $20 to $30. If hotels are not
your deal and you prefer hostels, Buenos
Aires has two of them and they are cheap,
ranging from $3 to $8.
Also, since Buenos Aires is the capital
of Argentina it is the most expensive, therefore
if you decide to visit other cities then
you will be spoiled with even lower prices.
Food is also not expensive; amazing because
the food Argentineans offer is outrageously
delicious. An entrée of breaded chicken
accompanied with mashed potatoes, salad,
a chicken empanada and a glass of red wine
or beer is only $3 to $5 dollars.
Nightlife is also cheap in Argentina and
is very reminiscent of European nightlife.
The bars and clubs start banging with beautiful
people at about 11 p.m. and it ends between
4 to 7 a.m. It all depends on how much you
want to party.
Buenos Aires is a must visit. To many Argentineans
their capital is synonymous with the country
itself — nearly 40 percent of the
population living in Buenos Aires. Buenos
Aires is situated on the banks of Rio de
la Plata. Its city, created by European
immigrants, is considered the Paris of South
America with its avenues lined with trees
and its numerous plazas that shine.
Mar de Plata is the main beach city to Argentineans,
especially for Buenos Aires residents. Mar
de Plata is located in the northern Atlantic
coast, only 228 miles from the capital.
The city is sprinkled with hotels, resorts,
restaurants, bars and a casino that is right
next to the beach. Fishing is a popular
activity and, of course, sun bathing. Mar
de Plata also showcases grottos that remind
the people that they are in Argentina’s
paradise.
The flat Pampas is Argentina’s agricultural
heartland and the home of Argentina’s symbol,
the gaucho. La Pampas includes forested
hills, extensive grasslands and an abundance
of salt lakes.
For those who are trying to get away from
the city life, La Pampa is another alternative
that offers an escape from concrete and
buildings.
Despite its current economical woes, Argentina
still boasts a variety of cultural attractions,
and, most important, the romance of Argentina.
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