One thing I will never say no to? A free activity. And luckily for me, Buenos Aires is home to lots of them. As a currently unemployed college student, I am doing everything I can to keep a budget during my exchange experience. I don’t want to return home to the US completely broke. But I also want to enjoy myself thoroughly while I’m here. It’s certainly a balancing act, but it’s much easier to find free fun than you would think.

Not an art person? Okay, weird, but the city has something for everyone. There are several artisanal fairs scattered across the city, usually on specific days of the week. Obviously, these are only free if you don’t buy anything, but it’s a lot of fun to jus browse through all the displays of shiny things. And you might discover something new! The other day I was meandering through the little tents in Plaza Francia when I stumbled upon the (free) Centro Cultural Recoleta, which offered an eclectic amalgamation of local art exhibits, workspaces, and a beatboxing competition. It was the highlight of my day.

When I’m not feeling up for a real activity, I like to lounge in a park near my apartment. There are several grassy parks in my area where you can find locals reading, sunbathing, and drinking mate. I’d also suggest visiting the Plaza de Mayo downtown, where you can walk through the government’s Casa Rosada and probably catch other tourists looking very touristy.

Finally, something I’ve been doing a lot here is taking my own walking tours through the city. I’m sure there are free guided tours available, but I prefer my own pace. Every neighborhood in Buenos Aires has its own energy, and I love being able to pause to windowshop or inspect the street art I see so often, from graffiti to intricate murals. 

Of course, there are activities here I will absolutely drop my money on, but fun doesn’t always equal $$$. At the end of the day, a good time is even more rewarding when I don’t ever have to open my wallet. (I think I’m starting to sound like my parents.)