Argentina travel guide - Argentina travel tips & safety advice

Some of the world’s most dramatic scenery can be found here in the Patagonian Stepp, the Andes, and the lush Lake District. Take your time exploring this wonderful country – the vast landscape takes time to get around and is worth all the distractions you’ll find along the way. I loved the food, hospitality, and positive energy the locals here. (The beautiful natural backdrop doesn’t hurt either!) This travel guide to Argentina will help you plan your trip to the land of steak, wine, and mountains!

Argentina is one of the most popular places to visit in South America – whether you are backpacking the continent or just on a short, budget holiday. From the café culture of Buenos Aires to the natural beauty of the Iguazu Waterfalls and the Perito Moreno glacier to the vineyards of Mendoza, Argentina has something to offer all visiters.

Typical Costs

Accommodation

Hostels are widespread throughout the country, and start at about 80-100 ARS (6-7 USD) for a dormitory room in Buenos Aires. Private rooms in a hostel with a shared bath are generally double the price of dorm rooms.  Hotels in more expensive places like Mendoza and Patagonia cost upwards of 410 ARS (27 USD) per night. You will find that a vast number of hotels in the country that fall under 840 ARS (55 USD).

Homestays are a popular option in the country and can be found via Craigslist or Home Stay Web. Airbnb averages for the country are 150 ARS (10 USD) for a shared room, 760 ARS (50 USD) for an entire apartment. Camping is widespread in all the natural parks. If you have a tent, campgrounds are available all around the country (including the notable Patagonia region) for around 60-120 ARS (4-8 USD).

Food

Food is fairly expensive in Argentina. Meals at cheap cafe begin at around 90 ARS (6 USD). If you add a drink, expect to pay 100-130 ARS (6-9 USD). If you are looking for a really nice sit down meal with good steak and wine, expect to pay 320 ARS (20 USD).

Empanada, choripán (sausage on bread) stands, and local hole-in-the-wall burger and pizza shops are economical and tasty! Empanadas go for around 8-15 ARS (less than $1 USD), choripán for 25 ARS (2 USD), and pizza and burgers lunch specials for around 40 ARS (3 USD). If you’re going to grocery shop, expect to spend about 370 ARS (25 USD) per week for groceries.

Transportation

Argentina boasts an outstanding short and long-distance bus network. It is common to have food served on board as well as wifi and alcohol on long distance buses. As an example, the bus ride from Buenos Aires to Mendoza takes about 14.5 hours and tickets begin at 660 ARS (44 USD). Trains are experiencing something of a revival and there is rail service between the country’s three largest cities: Buenos Aires, Cordoba, and Rosario.

A train ride between Buenos Aires and Cordoba costs around 300 ARS (20 USD) The Train to the Clouds, a scenic tourist train that begins in Salta, and passes through the Andes, is one of the highest railways in the world, costs 2,600 ARS (175 USD). Inner-city travel is pretty affordable. In Buenos Aires, a one-way trip on local transit is about 5 ARS (0.35 USD). A bus between Buenos Aires and Mendoza costs about 800-1400 ARS (50-95 USD). A bus from Buenos Aires to El Calafate (Patagonia) is 2,400-4,250 ARS (160-280 USD).

Sights

Activities here are generally more expensive than in other South American countries. You can find a Patagonia 3-4 day tour that starts at 3,900 ARS (260 USD), but most will be around 9,100 ARS (600 USD) and up.  , and a Mendoza day wine tour will be around 1,560 ARS (105 USD). Museum entry ranges between 15-60 ARS (1-4 USD). National Park entrance fees range from 50-260 ARS (3.50-$18 USD) per person.

Suggested daily budget

760-910 ARS / 50-60 USD (Note: This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in a hostel, eating out a little, cooking most of your meals, and using local transportation. Using the budget tips below, you can always lower this number. However, if you stay in fancier accommodation or eat out more often, expect this to be higher)

https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-guides/argentina-travel-tips/

Bahamas travel guide - Bahamas travel tips & safety advice

There are a huge range of historical, cultural, and natural attractions in this country, but like most islands in the Caribbean, the Bahamas are an expensive destination. Smart planning can help you get more bang for your buck as you indulge in everything the Bahamas has to offer and, while this travel guide can help, be prepared to spend money on your trip here.Picture perfect beaches make the Bahamas a popular destination for millions of tourists every year, especially Americans and cruise ship visitors.

Typical Costs

Accommodation

Lodging is expensive. There are very few hostels, but there are reasonably priced guest houses and budget hotels. Expect to pay at least 95 BSD a night for a room in a 2-star budget hotel that sleeps two. This price includes basic hotel amenities like free Wifi, television, and private bathrooms.

For the best value, check out Airbnb where you can rent either a spare room or an entire place from a local. Often times these are located in central neighborhoods or right on the coast at a much better cost per night than a hotel. You can find entire apartments starting around 50 BSD but you’ll find much more inventory if you look at 90 BSD and up.

Food

You’ll pay around 8 BSD for fish, a side dish, and dessert, which is fairly reasonable for local fare. However, most restaurants also specialize in American and British meals that can cost between 17-25 BSD a plate. There is often also a compulsory service charge of 15% on your bill, so keep in mind as you settle a check. Expect to pay 60 BSD per week for groceries that will include pasta, vegetables, chicken, and other basic foods if you plan on cooking.

Transportation

If you’re staying in Freeport or Nassau, a minibus trip for 1.25 BSD is the cheapest way to get around, but they stop running at 6pm. Another option is the wildly popular water-taxi that runs every hour for 6 BSD from Nassau to Paradise Island. In terms of inter-island travel, there are frequent and affordable mail boats going from.

Nassau to the outer islands that cost about 45 BSD each way, but plan accordingly because these can take anywhere from 12-48 hours and offer little in the way of modern conveniences. Inter-island flights (via Bahamas Air or other local carriers) are a much more efficient option, and if you buy ahead of time, the fare usually won’t break the bank. Uber, the taxi alternative, is available in Broward and Palm Beach in the Bahamas.

Activities

Snorkeling, diving, swimming with dolphins, and fishing trips can all easily creep up to around 150 BSD each, but are an incredible way to experience the islands if you have the budget. Other inland activities, such as the Pirates of Nassau Museum and the Garden of the Groves on Grand Bahama, are much more reasonable, about 13-15 BSD.

Suggested daily budget

$120-200 USD (Note: This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in a hostel, eating out a little, cooking most of your meals, and using local transportation. Using the budget tips below, you can always lower this number. However, if you stay in fancier accommodation or eat out more often, expect this to be higher)

https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-guides/caribbean-travel-tips/the-bahamas/

Caribbean travel guide - Caribbean travel tips & safety advice

The Caribbean is made up of over 5000 islands, reefs, and cays, each with its own unique attractions and price ranges. In recent years, even very secluded islands have been transformed into some of the world’s most exclusive vacationing destinations.

There is a misconception that a trip to the islands will be extremely expensive and not a viable destination for budget travelers. While accommodation can be expensive, costs of food and activities can vary greatly island to island. With so many places to choose from in this guide, you’ll find a corner of the Caribbean suitable to your budget.

Typical Costs

Accommodation

There aren’t many hostels or campgrounds to be found in the Caribbean, but the ones that do exist will cost around $20 USD per night. A basic room in a 2-star budget hotel in a room that sleeps two starts around an $80 USD per night average.

Airbnb is also available throughout the Caribbean and you can find entire homes (usually studio apartments) starting around a $50 USD per night average. You will find more inventory if you look around $95 USD or above, though. While there are a lot of islands in the Caribbean and prices vary widely, remember that overall, this is an expensive part of the world.

Food

Food typical of the Caribbean includes dishes with lots of beans, plantains, rice, sweet potatoes, coconut, pork beef, chicken, and fish. Prices vary considerably depending on which island you are on (Is it big? Small? Does it have a large local population? Or does it cater to tourists?) but you’re looking at between $10-20 USD for a meal at a restaurant.

Prices go up from there. If you can find food at the local markets, those will cost around $5. My advice for the region: avoid restaurants near cruise ports and resorts, find the local markets, and cook your food as often as you can. Rarely are the fancy meals worth their exorbitant price!

Transportation 

Bus services on the islands are inexpensive, rarely more than $3 USD. You can hitchhike safely around most of the islands too (save Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Haiti). On islands without a bus system, a taxi may be the only form of transport with fares getting up to $15 USD for even a short journey.

To get between islands, you’ll need your own boat or to fly. In the Lower Antilles, there are ferries that connect the island together since they aren’t too far apart but, generally speaking, flights are the most realistic option.

Activities

In general, tours, historical, and architectural attractions are relatively inexpensive ($5-20 USD), while diving trips usually costing a minimum of $125 USD. Snorkeling can be found as low as $20 USD for the day. Jet skiing will cost you about $65 USD for half an hour, and parasailing will be about $60 for 15 minutes. Admission to the Bob Marley Museum in Jamaica is $23 USD.

Suggested daily budget

$60-100 USD (Note: This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in a hostel, eating out a little, cooking most of your meals, and using local transportation. Using the budget tips below, you can always lower this number. However, if you stay in fancier accommodation or eat out more often, expect this to be higher)

https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-guides/caribbean-travel-tips/