Argentina Cheap Again

According to a post on Tim Leffel's blog, www.cheapestdestinationsblog.com, because of its economic crisis Argentina is once more a good deal for budget travellers. The way things are going this week, world markets are in crisis in Europe and North America, so perhaps there will soon be more places where travel is cheap.

In Argentina a secondary market has developed for the peso, with an exchange rate almost double the official rate of 8 pesos to the dollar. The only way to take advantage of this discrepancy is to exchange cash (new U.S. dollars preferably) for pesos, which will nearly double the buying power of your money. The unofficial rate is called the blue rate.

Argentina is a terrific place to visit, with many natural wonders and for those who enjoy tango and nightlife, the buzz of Buenos Aires. I found Buenos Aires too crowded and noisy for my taste, but even there the people were friendly and courteous. I felt welcome despite my very poor Spanish.

That was back in 2001 when the peso was worth $1 U.S., so prices were relatively high and I only stayed for 10 days, taking day trips in Buenos Aires and an excursion by plane to the amazing Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil and Paraguay. Argentina is so large and diverse that I would happily return to see parts of the country I did not visit then, and it sounds as if this could be a good time to do so.