Buenos Aires has recently become a common destination for American, Canadian, and European travelers. Previously too far and too expensive, Argentina currency devaluation in 2001 makes it a feasible option for budget travelers looking for a more exotic getaway. Recently being "pegged" 1:1 to the USDollar, the Argentine Peso is now about 1:3, resulting in prices being close to 1/3 the US price.

So how far does the dollar really go once you get to Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Housing: plan to spend at least US$600-800 on a furnished apartment, or $300-400 if you're planning to have a roommate. Housing is definitely the most disproportionate expense and is pretty similar to US housing costs.

Food: unless you're going out to a fancy meal every night, you really are paying 1/3 what you would be paying in the US on food. My favorite deal so far is the delicious $2 plate of gnocci I had the other day, or the huge bag of produce I bought for $3.50. You can get a delicious steak that would cost $30 in the US here for, you guessed it...$10!

• Haircut: $9
• Full leg and bikini wax: $5 (a reason alone to come here)
• Riding the bus: $.25
• Riding the subway: $.22
• Taking a taxi: $5 will get you pretty much anywhere you need to go in the capital
• Bottle of wine: depends on how picky you are, but you can get a decent bottle for $2, and a pretty amazing one for $10
• Movie: $3
• Clothes and shoes: I don't know yet but will find out soon!

One of the biggest concerns of Buenos Aires residents is the rising inflation. Although official numbers are up 10.7% since last year, the average person you talk to here will tell you how much the price of their lettuce or dog food went up in the last 4 months, and it's much more than 10.7% annually. So keep in mind the prices above are moving...daily.

Prices outside of Buenos Aires

Prices in the other cities of the country are generally lower than Buenos Aires. Particularly in the warm northern region of the country they are known to be quite a bit cheaper. In the colder South the prices tend to be on par with Buenos Aires or more expensive. We'll have to report on that once we get out in the country.