Is inflation killing tourism?

[FrankPintor]

I’m a “digital slowmad” of sorts and I was planning on staying in the city for around three months for some traditional Argentine guitar lessons (the reason I’m on this forum). I could afford it right now but with the uncertainty of the exchange rate and inflation I’m not willing to risk going broke. I know dirtbag low income nomads are the least popular people on earth so please spare me any internet contempt. I’m in Paraguay now. It’s hot and boring and super easy to live decently spending around 1000usd. Going to Brazil for a few months where I will be nervously checking the blue rate, the news and this forum every week or so.

Paraguay seems a lot cheaper now, check my "trip report" (and add context as you wish). The corner of Argentina and Paraguay around Encarnacion / Posadas seems very nice to stay for some time (boring, like you say), there's a lot to see in Paraguay but it's very inaccessible.

 

[PaddyO]

Paraguay seems a lot cheaper now, check my "trip report" (and add context as you wish). The corner of Argentina and Paraguay around Encarnacion / Posadas seems very nice to stay for some time (boring, like you say), there's a lot to see in Paraguay but it's very inaccessible.

I’m in Asuncion now and it’s not uncommon to have a beer for 0.75usd, or a burger for 2-3usd. Beef is like 2-3usd/kg at a nicer supermarket. Veg and fruit is comparatively expensive but fine by 1st world standards. Rent is the big winner here. A crappy room can be had for 150/200usd/mo, a nice furnished one bed apartment 500-700/mo in a posh area. It’s super safe and super quiet. Everything happens indoors under the AC or outside late at night. Insane inequality and dereliction. Downtown looks like Chernobyl. Wealthy suburbs look like Malibu. All the foreigners live in areas that resemble rich suburbs in California. I would be very happy here if I wasn’t somewhat allergic to the suburban lifestyle.

 

[elhombresinnombre]

I’m a “digital slowmad” of sorts and I was planning on staying in the city for around three months for some traditional Argentine guitar lessons (the reason I’m on this forum). I could afford it right now but with the uncertainty of the exchange rate and inflation I’m not willing to risk going broke. I know dirtbag low income nomads are the least popular people on earth so please spare me any internet contempt. I’m in Paraguay now. It’s hot and boring and super easy to live decently spending around 1000usd. Going to Brazil for a few months where I will be nervously checking the blue rate, the news and this forum every week or so.

Have you discovered Luque yet? If you play guitar (or harp) you really must visit.

 

[PaddyO]

Have you discovered Luque yet? If you play guitar (or harp) you really must visit.

It’s really close to where I’m staying. The locals told me it’s boring but I’ll see about checking it out now before I leave.

 

[JoeBoston]

I've spent some time in Asuncion recently as well. It's definitely more affordable at the moment. It is a city (outside of the downtown, which is horrible) that feels more like a suburb. It's not very walkable in many parts, it can be uncomfortably hot to walk around. Everything feels newer and shiny than Buenos Aires. New cars all over, new apartment buildings, gyms, etc. You can tell there has been a lot of economic growth.

It's more comparable to Rosario than Buenos Aires though. It feels small, not much going on, the heat keeps everyone indoors. It's not a place I'd spend an extended period of time in.

 

[sergio]

I’m in Asuncion now and it’s not uncommon to have a beer for 0.75usd, or a burger for 2-3usd. Beef is like 2-3usd/kg at a nicer supermarket. Veg and fruit is comparatively expensive but fine by 1st world standards. Rent is the big winner here. A crappy room can be had for 150/200usd/mo, a nice furnished one bed apartment 500-700/mo in a posh area. It’s super safe and super quiet. Everything happens indoors under the AC or outside late at night. Insane inequality and dereliction. Downtown looks like Chernobyl. Wealthy suburbs look like Malibu. All the foreigners live in areas that resemble rich suburbs in California. I would be very happy here if I wasn’t somewhat allergic to the suburban lifestyle.

A car would be an absolute necessity.