Over the course of this year, while the value of the Argentine peso has depreciated, the real and other currencies have appreciated against the dollar. However, as in 2024, Argentines have not been able to access the official exchange rate, and now they will become only 5% more expensive. Thus, the gap between vacation abroad and vacation within the country remains almost unchanged: Traveling through Argentina is 62% more expensive than traveling abroad.
This is the conclusion of a survey conducted by the private consulting firm Equilibra, which gives more weight to the effective tourist exchange rate than to the real multilateral exchange rate (TCRM). “If you take the November data in relation to January or February this year, the TCRM is more than 15% higher. But it is pointless to use this data because previously we did not have access to the official holiday dollar; we used the MEP, and now we use the official dollar.” “So, if you always take the cheapest, you’re only plus or minus 5% from last summer.” explained Laura Vernelli, an economist at the consulting company.
According to this, The dollar will remain historically cheap: It will be 30% less than the exit from convertibility.
“This is also reflected in the prices, At a certain point. namely, A holiday in Argentina was once 64% more expensive than a holiday abroad, and now that gap is 62%. It doesn’t change much, although prices in general have become cheaper, because holidays in Argentina have also become cheaper in dollars. “The gap still exists, so it is still advisable to exit,” he added.
According to data taken from the Despejar Agency for tourist packages for two people (including flight, accommodation and transfers), Summer vacation in January 2026 in Argentina costs an average of 300 USD per day, while abroad it drops to 200 USD. By February 2026, average daily spending in Argentina (US$240) will fall more than abroad (US$180).
And the cost of living? According to information collected from Numbeo, Preparing four meals costs an average of US$42 in Buenos Aires (+10.8% vs. March 2025), while in Rio de Janeiro it costs US$21 (+8.7%) and in Santiago de Chile, US$28 (-4.7%).
In macroeconomic terms, although there are still a few months left to close out 2025, Equilibra estimates that Tourism deficit (Travel and Passenger Transport) for the balance of payments (Indec) will be present 10 billion US dollars, Nominally exceeds the 2017 cap (-US$8.35 billion). But if that red is updated according to the inflation accumulated in the United States since then, the deficit in 2017 would be equivalent to about $11 billion in today’s prices.
“As we show, costs are not much different compared to last summer, so we expect a similar tourism deficit (travel plus passenger transport) in the balance of payments for the first quarter of 2026. Likewise, if the band chart is maintained next year, the tourism red is likely to be similar or even larger than this year, given that the band ceiling adjusts by 1% per month in the context of inflation equal to or greater than 2%.”