Things to do in Buenos Aires: One day three ways

PENNY PINCH

B.A.'s neighbourhoods offer plenty in the way of free entertainment, so strap on your walking shoes. Start the day in Recoleta with some medialunas (Argentine croissants) from Patisserie Guber ($1), before visiting Recoleta cemetery. Skip the crowds at Evita's final resting place; the other tombs are just as glamorous. From here, check out the masterpieces at the Museo Nacional Bellas Artes (mnba.gob.ar), before heading over to the vibrant Barracas neighbourhood, picking up some choripan – chorizo wrapped in bread ($2.70) – from a street vendor on the way. Take a walk down Calle Lanin, B.A.'s prettiest street, with its colourfully painted houses and murals. From here, head on to neighbouring La Boca , which has more vibrant street life. Dinner is at Don Carlos parrilla steakhouse ($28.30), then take a tango class at Flor de Milonga (flordemilonga.wordpress.com, $28). Turn in for the night at Gran Hotel Hispano (hhispano.com.ar, $52).

TOTAL: $112

EASY DOES IT

After breakfast at Bartola in Palermo (bartolaba.com.ar, $4), spend some time exploring this lovely neighbourhood. Jorge Luis Borges and Gurruchaga streets are great for browsing; if it's a weekend, check out the markets in Plaza Serrano and Plaza Armenia. After unwinding in the 200-acre Bosques de Palermo gardens, fuel up at Club Eros ($5.40) before heading to Puerto Madero to see the Latin American art at Coleccion Fortabat (coleccionfortabat.org.ar, $6.70). Enjoy a wine-matching dinner at Casa Coupage (casacoupage.com, $75) before catching a tango show at the ornate Cafe de Los Angelitos (cafedelosagelitos.com, $102). Stay the night at Art Suites (artsuites.com.ar, $115).

TOTAL: $308.10

SPLASH OUT

Head to the historic Cafe Tortoni for breakfast (cafetortoni.com.ar, $6.70), then spend the morning exploring the many sights of the historic centre, from the Plaza de Mayo to the famous presidential palace, the Casa Rosada. Lunch is at El Desnivel ($8) in San Telmo. Then take a tour of the fascinating underground city at El Zanjon (elzanjon.com.ar, $20.20). Wander the streets of this scenic neighbourhood before dinner at one of the city's finest restaurants, Patagonia Sur (restaurantepatagoniasur.com, $85). Catch a show at the intimate Rojo Tango (rojotango.com, $211.40), before retiring to your chic room at Faena Hotel + Universe (faena.com, $554).

TOTAL: $885.30

The writer travelled courtesy of Abercrombie & Kent and LAN Airlines.