Ella Jansen 
Superstar Taylor Swift recently announced the first international leg of her vastly popular The Eras Tour. For the non-swifties, the Eras Tour is a journey through Taylor’s artistry over the years that resembles a Broadway show more than a typical concert. It usually lasts over three hours, consisting of 44 songs divided by the themes of her albums.
The Latin American leg of Swift’s tour features a string of dates in Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. The pop star initially announced two dates in the Argentine capital but added a third due to unprecedented demand. All three are already sold out.
With spectacular vocals, various costume changes, and elaborate sets, many fans say it’s well worth the money — but with tickets routinely going for thousands of dollars in the US, you could be forgiven for balking at the price tag.
The situation has some diehard Swifties in the US considering their first trip to Argentina, where the devaluation of the currency and rampant inflation mean they could fly out and see their musical hero for a fraction of the cost. With that in mind, the Herald is here to help with everything a Swiftie needs to know to make the journey.
Tickets
With regular tickets sold out across the US, the only chance for Americans to snag tickets back home is via resale sites with eye-watering markups that are sure to hurt your wallet. On SeatGeek, the cheapest stop on tour is in Detroit, Michigan, on June 10, which will cost you over US$1,000, while floor seats will cost you over US$2,000. The most expensive tickets for that event run well over US$7,000 on this site.
In contrast, seats for the Buenos Aires show cost between ARS$16,000 and ARS$85,000 – that’s currently between US$62 and US$329 at the official exchange rate. However, the government recently launched a favorable rate for foreign tourists, meaning the final price range would be closer to US$34 -$180. (Remember that, since inflation in Argentina is running at 114%, exact prices and exchange rates change.) If you decide to splurge and buy a VIP package, these will cost you from AR$67,500 to ARS$ 175,000, which ranges from about US$ 155 to a little over US$ 404.
While all three shows in Buenos Aires are sold out, if you’re an avid Swiftie who can snag a ticket, the bargain prices are worth the journey to Argentina. Be warned, the competition is stiff, with some Argentine fans camping outside the venue five months before she lands.
Dollars in Buenos Aires
International visitors arriving in Argentina can take advantage of the favorable MEP and “blue dollar” rates to get the most value for their money. At the time of writing, the official rate was AR$258 to the dollar and the MEP rate was ARS$ 475 to the dollar.
Foreign cardholders using Visa, Mastercard, or American Express get the tourist dollar rate on card purchases, which is very close to the MEP rate, although it doesn’t apply to cashpoint withdrawals. Those looking to use cash in Argentina can send themselves money via Western Union and pick it up on arrival in Argentina — head to larger branches because the smaller ones in kiosks and corner shops don’t usually have much cash. The fee is usually compensated for by the favorable rate. Some visitors also bring dollars and exchange them in cuevas, or informal exchange houses, at the blue dollar rate — but it’s important to remember that these are illegal, although they are common.
Flights
Flights are available for under US$1,000 from most major US cities. Direct flights from Miami to Buenos Aires currently cost just US$565. Prices vary depending on departure city, flight path, and travel dates, so check flight search sites such as Kayak.com or Skyscanner.com for more information.
The flights are the biggest cost to come to Argentina to see Swift, and still a fraction of many U.S. Eras tickets.
Where to stay
Now that you’ve gotten your tickets and are preparing for your journey, it’s time to find a place to stay! The show is at the River Plate Stadium in the neighborhood of Belgrano — although people from Buenos Aires will usually say it’s in neighboring Núñez. We recommend staying in either.
There are several hotels in both neighborhoods, as well as a selection of attractive temporary rentals on Airbnb and Vrbo.
Belgrano
Belgrano has parks, museums and artisan markets, making it worth sticking around for a few days on either side of the show. The Eras tour dates are in late spring in the Southern hemisphere, and Belgrano is perfect for strolls through the nearby Bosques de Palermo, a series of landscaped parks including the Rosedal rose garden and the Japanese gardens.
It’s also home to the bustling energy and authentic delicacies of Buenos Aires’ Chinatown, offering a plethora of great dinner options.
Museum lovers can explore the Enrique Larreta Museum of Spanish Art to understand more about Buenos Aires’s Spanish influences and the Sarmiento Historical Museum, to explore Argentine history. Those looking to sneak in a bit of shopping can explore Cabildo Avenue, and if you prefer your souvenirs handmade, there are markets outside the Church of the Immaculate Conception, or the Round Church.
Hotels in Belgrano include pocket-friendly De La Rue, which offers simple rooms with air con and wifi, the slightly smarter Golf Tower Suites & Apartments, which offers amenities such as a pool and gym, and Argenta Suites Belgrano, which includes daily breakfast, wifi, and a palm-fringed outdoor pool with sun loungers.
Options on Vrbo or Airbnb are currently going for about US$59 for a studio and larger 2-bedroom units for US$70-130. These properties offer more space, a kitchen to try your hand at famous Argentine dishes, and proximity to the concert venue.
Nuñez
Nuñez, the northernmost neighborhood of Buenos Aires City, also offers excellent local restaurants with rich histories and pizza lovers can try the famous La Guitarrita pizzeria. Don’t forget to order a portion of fainá on the side — that’s a chickpea flatbread eaten with pizza here.
Visitors looking to understand Argentina’s contemporary history can explore the ex-ESMA, a former clandestine detention center turned into a space of memory, which commemorates those murdered by Argentina’s last civil-military dictatorship.
There are a number of short-term rentals in Núñez, and you can get spacious two-bedroom properties with a kitchen, grill and roof terrace for only US$70 a night.
If you’re an avid Swiftie, the inexpensive VIP packages offer better seats at a fraction of the cost of comparable ones in the US — and call us biased, but you’d be seeing her in the best city in the world.
