How to Plan Your Monthly Budget in Buenos Aires: Two Student Examples
Updated: Oct 6
Planning your budget before you travel helps you decide how much to spend on accommodation and how much to set aside for enjoying Buenos Aires. These two examples show how one person could divide their spending over a month.
Use this guide as a template: replace each amount with your accommodation quote and expected expenses. All amounts are in US dollars to make comparisons easier.
Important: these are hypothetical planning examples, not verified current prices or a guarantee of what you will spend. Confirm each cost before booking.
What the examples include and what to add
Both examples include accommodation, groceries, transport, a phone plan, eating out, activities and a contingency fund. Rent assumes utilities and Wi-Fi are included; add them if your quote excludes them.
Budget separately for Spanish classes, flights, insurance, private healthcare, travel outside Buenos Aires and arrival costs. You also need money available for the accommodation deposit, even if it may be refunded at the end of your stay.
Sample monthly budgets for students
Example 1: shared accommodation and controlled spending
Room in shared accommodation: USD 500
Groceries: USD 250
Transport: USD 40
Phone: USD 20
Eating out and activities: USD 200
Contingency fund: USD 90
Example total: USD 1,100 per month, plus the excluded expenses listed above.
Example 2: a studio and more room for social plans
Furnished studio: USD 800
Groceries: USD 280
Transport and occasional rides: USD 80
Phone: USD 20
Eating out and activities: USD 350
Contingency fund: USD 170
Example total: USD 1,700 per month, plus the excluded expenses listed above.
How to adapt the examples to your stay
Start with an accommodation quote. Replace the example rent with the full price, including utilities, building fees and commissions.
Separate arrival costs. List your deposit, airport transfer and initial purchases outside your monthly budget.
Estimate your weekly food spending. Multiply it by 4.3 and keep groceries separate from restaurants and delivery.
Set a limit for activities. Avoid counting the same dinner under both eating out and entertainment.
Add your course and insurance. Get quotes for the actual length of your stay; these costs are not included in the examples.
Review your budget after two weeks. Compare your actual expenses with your plan and keep a contingency fund available.
Still deciding where to live? Read our guide to the best neighborhoods to stay in Buenos Aires.
For practical information about the SUBE card, buses and the Subte, see our complete guide to getting around Buenos Aires.
When comparing schools, consider class size, number of hours, teacher experience, flexibility, location and whether cultural activities are included. Our guide on how to choose a Spanish school in Buenos Aires explains what to check.
How to track spending in different currencies
Record the amount you actually paid and the payment currency. When comparing expenses in pesos with a dollar budget, use the exchange rate applied to the transaction and include fees so that you do not underestimate the total.
Before you travel, read our guide to exchanging money and withdrawing cash in Argentina.
A month is not always the same as four weeks
For a six-week stay, multiplying a monthly budget by 1.5 can be a starting point, but check how each provider charges. Accommodation may be priced per night or month, while courses may be sold by the week or as a package.
Do not multiply arrival costs every month. Separate one-off payments from recurring expenses and check cancellation terms before committing your budget.
Live and learn Spanish in Buenos Aires
Living in Buenos Aires is about much more than calculating expenses. It is also about learning how locals shop, travel, eat, socialize and communicate.
At Rivendell Spanish College in Palermo, our students learn Spanish through real communication, Argentine culture and everyday situations. We offer programs for different levels, schedules and lengths of stay.
If you are planning to spend a few weeks or several months in the city, discover our Spanish courses in Buenos Aires and let us help you feel at home.
One last local tip: bring a backup payment method, set aside some money for spontaneous plans and leave room for experiences you discover after arriving.
Comments