I subscribe to a travel blog called “Solo Traveler”, published by a Canadian woman called Janice Waugh. Every year, they compile and publish a list of the ten best budget destinations for solo travelers that year. When I looked at this week’s issue, I was delighted to find that Argentina is listed as the Best Budget Destination in South America!

Here are the criteria used to compile the list:

• Affordability. Naturally, how affordable a destination is depends on your home currency. I’m in Canada and our currency is low against just about every other western currency right now. However, I’m giving most of the information below in US dollars unless it says otherwise as most of us know our exchange rates to the US dollar.
• Cost to get there. If the trip is short, the cost to get there is very important. If you’re planning a month or two in a destination, that cost is less significant for it is prorated over a longer period of time.
• Safety. I’ve checked the US and Canadian government advisories on all these suggestions. Many top budget destinations lists I’ve checked have included places that are rated on the Canadian Advisory as “exercise a high degree of caution.” This year I’ve chosen not to include any with that standing. All of the recommendations below are rated “exercise normal security precautions.”
• Will it be interesting and fun? A great destination offers access to a new culture, fun things to do, or both. I’ve given you a very brief overview of both for each recommendation.

Here is what Solo Traveler said about Argentina:

Best Budget Destination in South America: Argentina

Argentina has spectacular natural wonders including Glaciers National Park, El Chalten, and Iguazu Falls, all bucket list destinations for the adventure travelers. But, of course, there’s Buenos Aires and the tango! And then there are gauchos, Argentinian cowboys. Yes, there’s much to make Argentina an exciting destination for any traveler, budget or otherwise. While other countries in South America may be cheaper, Argentina is one that has the safety rating I was looking for.

Affordability: 1 Argentinian peso is about 2.5 US cents. That’s an estimate. So, in managing your money on the ground, divide a price by forty and you’ll know the approximate price in US$. Buenos Aires is 59% less expensive than Toronto and 71% less than New York City. There are many options in affordable hotels in Buenos Aires. Here’s a centrally located guest house on Booking.com with an overall rating of 8.9 for US$89 including breakfast..Here’s a hostel with a rating of 8.4 for US$13.50 for a single bed in a four-bed, female dorm. And that includes breakfast. If you’d like an apartment I found this fabulous, 5-star unit on VRBO for US$78/night.

Cost to get there: From Toronto, return flights start at CAN$1095 non-stop. From New York City, return flights start at US$627 non-stop.

Safety:

• US Government: Exercise normal precautions in Argentina.
• Canadian Government: Exercise normal precautions in Argentina.

Interesting and fun: There are lots of free and cheap things to do in Buenos Aires. There are, of course, free tours to enjoy but plenty more. Go to the Mataderos Fair, a Gaucho market on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, and see the gauchos show off their skills; take a walk through the 80 hectare woods at the Bosques de Palermo; or explore the graffiti in the northern suburbs. If you’re in the neighborhood of Belgrano on a Sunday, go to the bandstand at Barrancas de Belgrano park for the free tango lessons from 7 pm. You can then watch the experts perform for a fee.

I have often talked about the amazing free cultural events here, so I was pleased to see she mentioned some of them.

But what pleased me most was the safety rating. I hear so many people talking about Buenos Aires not being safe, so now I can simply point to the Canadian and US Government recommendation: Exercise normal precautions in Argentina. Yes, I know people are usually talking about Buenos Aires more than other parts of the country, but Buenos Aires is a huge city, so pay attention to where you are and what you are doing. Don’t go into dodgy areas at night (most people can tell you where they are). In other words, keep your wits about you as you would in any other big city and you’ll be just fine!

Thank you, Janice, for telling the world about Argentina — although I sometimes selfishly wish I could keep it all to myself!

If you’d like to subscribe to “Solo Traveler”, you can find the website here.