Lessons for living on the CHEAP in Buenos Aires

Photo by John Harris

The dollar might be on the rise, but that’s no reason to overspend while on vacation, studying abroad or living in Buenos Aires. Money saving tips that work in the US are not necessarily going to fly in Buenos Aires, so here are some suggestions to help you make that fat dollar last.

Grocery shopping:

1. Those shopping at the big chains such as Disco, Carrefour and Jumbo are spending almost double the amount they could spend at the little local dive market. The most economical supermarket is called Dia. It is open when everything else is closed on holidays and during the siesta hours. The stores are ugly and the employees hate their jobs, but the food is very well priced. They don’t have a meat counter, but they do have fresh fruit and veggies. You can ask for a “tarjeta Dia” which will offer you extra savings.

2. Canned food is very expensive and can be twice the price of the real deal. A can of corn sells for about $5 pesos and for that amount you can usually buy 3 or 4 ears of fresh corn.

3. Corner fruit and veggie markets generally offer lower prices than the big super markets and can be found every few blocks. Check sidewalk chalkboards for special promotions or sale items.

Eating out:

1. My favorite coffee in the city is sold for $2 pesos by vendors walking the city. You can spot them by their metal cart with steel thermoses and paper bags of sweets. From these vendors, you can order coffee (with or without milk and sugar) and you will be promptly provided with a piping hot cup of joe. Ojo! Many serve very sweet coffee if you ask for sugar. This is also a great chance to try out your Spanish if you’re a beginner. Really, you only need to say a few words, “Quiero un café” (I want a coffee) and be able to understand the price when the vendor replies. They might ask, “con leche” (with milk) or “con azucar” (with sugar), to which you can respond with a simple “sí” or “no.”

2. Sidewalk parillas (grills) are the best deal in town. Are they safe to eat at? If you can see the meat being cooked, it’s safe. No self-respecting porteño would ever cook or sell bad meat.

3. Hot dog huts are hot in Buenos Aires and offer a cheap snack. They are little hole-in-the-wall restaurants that usually have a high counter to sit and eat. Panchos, as they are commonly known, are offered with a variety of salsas, such as four cheese and mayo with various chucks of veggies or ham. These panchos and super panchos are not exactly Hebrew National, but they are safe and quick to eat on the run. This does not go for the sidewalk pancho stands. There was recently a police raid where many strolling vendors were detained for not having changed the cooking water in weeks or months.

Read more on LandingPad BA.