Buenos Aires

Even amidst such economic upheaval, accommodation on Airbnb remains surprisingly good value. The city has a huge supply of apartment buildings, and you should be able to find a quality one-bedroom apartment for under £800 a month in an area of your choosing. That price can drop even further if you're willing to stay a little further out of Palermo or Recoleta.

I stayed in an Airbnb in the QUO Swim complex in Palermo Hollywood, which was well managed with a small on-site gym and pool. At current rates, prices are lower than what you'd find in practically any other major city, even within South-East Asia. Expect prices to rise during the peak summer months of January and February, so aim to travel outside those periods to get the most value.

Compared to other cities in Latin America, air conditioning is commonplace in Buenos Aires and essential during the summer. Unlike neighbouring Santiago, where temperatures drop dramatically in the evenings, even in November it was necessary.

Unsurprisingly, given its reputation as a remote work hub, Buenos Aires offers no shortage of coworking spaces, with Palermo hosting the highest concentration. The city also boasts a vast number of speciality coffee shops, many featuring dedicated working areas that stay open into the early evening on weekdays, providing excellent alternatives.

As of November 2024, Buenos Aires is on the more expensive end of what you might find across South America. If you were to analyse a month's expenses, dining out is the area where you will see a significant increase in spending compared to other cities. A combination of high food costs, coupled with a lack of lower-end restaurants in popular areas such as Palermo or Recoleta, means you'll struggle to find an evening meal for less than £12.

If you look a bit harder outside the immediate centres of Palermo and in less touristy but central areas such as Balvanera, you’ll find more traditional restaurants offering meals at lower prices. However, they may be less appealing than what you’d find in Lima or Bogotá.

I’d suggest budgeting as you would in a European city and being pleasantly surprised by what you have left, as certain elements remain significantly cheaper. Accommodation, coffee shops, transport, wine from the supermarket, and alcohol in bars all come in at varying degrees cheaper than what you'd pay in the UK.

Other items felt as if they carried a heavy premium, namely chocolate, electrical goods, unground coffee beans, and imported beer like Corona.

At present, Buenos Aires is not a destination to prioritise if cost is your primary concern. However, if you’re accustomed to European prices or higher, it shouldn't deter you. When comparing with other Latin American cities, it felt very much on a par with Santiago, yet with a lot greater choice of dining options.

Assuming you love big cities, you won't get bored in Buenos Aires. The city is renowned for its energetic nightlife, with the best of the action not starting until well after midnight. If you're an early riser on the weekends, expect to see revellers continuing the party and showing no signs of weakness well into the following morning.

If, like this mid-30s writer, your hedonistic days are numbered, there is more to the city than heading to a club at 2AM.

There is a huge number of cultural attractions in the form of galleries and museums, and more than enough restaurants to explore over several months. Simply walking around its labyrinth of streets and green open spaces is satisfying in itself, with consistently high footfall throughout the city.