Buenos Aires Tourism Statistics

Published Sep 9, 2026

Published Sep 9, 2026

Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, blends European elegance with South American passion. The city captivates visitors with its tango music, cultural richness and historic architecture, while offering endless opportunities to explore art scenes, savor local cuisine and experience the vibrant nightlife.

How many people visit Buenos Aires each year?

Buenos Aires attracts millions of international visitors annually, with pre-pandemic numbers reaching over 2 million per year.

  • Buenos Aires welcomed 2.93 million international tourists in 2019.
  • International arrivals dropped to around 700,000 in 2020 and further to 130,000 in 2021, due to travel restrictions.
  • The city saw 1.52 million visitors from abroad in 2022, signaling the recovery from the pandemic.
  • Buenos Aires recorded 2.87 million international visitors in 2023, nearly reaching 2019 levels.
  • The number of visitors dropped slightly to 2.83 million in 2024.
Bar chart of annual international tourist arrivals in Buenos Aires from 2017 to 2024, collapsing in 2020–2021 and recovering to 2.83 million by 2024.
Annual international tourist arrivals in Buenos Aires, 2017–2024 (millions).

How many tourists visited Buenos Aires in 2024?

  • 2.83 million foreign visitors arrived in Buenos Aires in 2024, indicating an almost constant figure compared to the previous year.
  • The figure was 3.4% below the pre-pandemic year (2019).

How many tourists visited Buenos Aires in 2023?

  • Buenos Aires welcomed 2.87 million international visitors in 2023, marking an 88.8% increase from the previous year but a 2% decrease from the pre-pandemic year (2019).

Buenos Aires Tourism Statistics (YTD October 2025)

  • Buenos Aires welcomed 1.93 million international tourists between January and October in 2025.
  • January and March were the busiest months with around 268,000 and 222,000 tourists respectively.
  • Most of the tourists were from Brazil, with 457,991 Brazilian tourists recorded in Buenos Aires.
Monthly Tourists Arrivals in Buenos Aires (YTD Oct 2025)
MonthsInternational Tourists (Thousands)
January268
February191
March222
April192
May155
June152
July179
August185
September186
October198
Total1928

How much do visitors spend in Buenos Aires each year?

Tourists in Buenos Aires spent over $1.7 billion annually.

  • Tourists spent $1.83 billion in Buenos Aires in 2019, marking a strong pre-pandemic tourism economy.
  • Spending dropped sharply to $0.39 billion in 2020 as global travel restrictions severely impacted international tourism.
  • Visitor spending fell further to just $0.11 billion in 2021, reflecting the continued effects of the pandemic.
  • Tourism began to recover in 2022, with spending rebounding to $1.14 billion as travel demand returned.
  • By 2023, tourist spending had fully recovered to $1.84 billion, slightly surpassing the pre-pandemic level.
  • In 2024, total visitor spending eased to $1.74 billion, a decline of about 5% compared to the previous year, though it remained well above pandemic-era levels.
Bar chart of annual tourist spending in Buenos Aires from 2018 to 2024 in billions of USD, falling to 0.11 billion in 2021 and recovering to 1.74 billion in 2024.
Annual tourist spending in Buenos Aires, 2018–2024 (billions of USD).

How much do visitors spend in 2024?

  • Tourists in Buenos Aires spent $1.74 billion in 2024, marking a 5% decrease from the previous year.

How much does it cost to visit Buenos Aires?

  • Tourists spent $615 per trip in 2024, 4% less than the previous year.
  • The average foreign visitor spends $100–$150 per day.
  • Accommodation costs range from $50–$100 per night for mid-range hotels.
  • Meals typically cost $20–$40 per day, with transportation averaging $5–$10 per day.
  • Business travelers or high-end tourists may spend upwards of $250 per day.

Which countries visit Buenos Aires the most?

  • Brazil was the leading source of tourists visiting Buenos Aires from January to October in 2025, accounting for 457,991 arrivals.
  • It was followed by Uruguay with 239,205 arrivals and the United States with 217,934 arrivals.
  • Chile and Peru completed the top 5 lists with 164,428 and 101,047 arrivals respectively.
Horizontal bar chart of the top source countries of tourists in Buenos Aires from January to October 2025, led by Brazil, Uruguay and the United States.
Top source countries of tourists in Buenos Aires, January–October 2025 (thousands).

When is the best time to visit Buenos Aires?

January was the busiest month in 2024, with the highest number of international visitor arrivals in Buenos Aires, followed by March and December.

  • January: 327,000 visitors
  • March: 278,000 visitors
  • December: 272,000 visitors
  • February: 256,000 visitors
  • November: 253,000 visitors
Bar chart of monthly visitor arrivals to Buenos Aires in 2024, peaking in January and March, with the top five months highlighted.
Monthly visitor arrivals to Buenos Aires, 2024 (thousands).

Why do people visit Buenos Aires?

  • International tourists mainly visit Buenos Aires for vacation. In 2024, 60.4% of international tourists visited for vacation only.
  • 21.4% of tourists visited to meet relatives and friends, while 14.2% visited for business, conferences, or seminars.
Pie chart of the purpose of visiting Buenos Aires in 2024: vacation, visiting relatives and friends, business or conferences, and other.
Purpose of visiting Buenos Aires, 2024 (share of international tourists).

How popular is Buenos Aires as a tourist destination?

  • Buenos Aires was ranked the most visited city in South America before the pandemic.
  • It consistently ranks #1 in the Americas for international conferences and events, hosting 66 certified events in 2023.
  • Buenos Aires was ranked the 3rd “Trending Destination” worldwide by TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards in 2025.

Related Travel Statistics

What are the main attractions in Buenos Aires?

  • La Boca & Caminito Street: Known for colorful buildings and tango performances. These areas receive hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
  • Teatro Colón: One of the world’s most famous opera houses, with 300,000 visitors per year for tours and performances.
  • Recoleta Cemetery: Final resting place of Eva Perón, drawing over 1 million visitors annually. It is free and often crowded with tour groups.
  • Plaza de Mayo & Casa Rosada: The city’s political and historical center, visited by virtually all tourists, given their historical significance.
  • Palermo & San Telmo: Popular neighborhoods for shopping, dining, and nightlife. These locations attract many families and domestic tourists, especially on weekends.

Other key statistics about Buenos Aires tourism

  • The total number of registered employees in the tourism sector was 154,236 in 2024.
  • In 2024, the estimated total number of national tourists staying in hotels reached 1.9 million.
  • In 2024, the average hotel occupancy rate was 57%.
  • The city has 7,000 bars and restaurants, 287 theaters, 380 bookstores, and 150 museums.

References

  1. Buenos Aires Tourism Observatory — monthly reports (Observatorio Turístico) · turismo.buenosaires.gob.ar
  2. Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice — destination rankings and traveler awards · tripadvisor.com