A campervan is one of the cheapest ways to see Argentina and Uruguay properly: your bed, kitchen and transport are all in one place, and you can park next to a lake instead of paying for a hostel in town. But what does it actually cost? Here is an honest breakdown for 2026, with approximate ranges, so you can plan your budget without nasty surprises.
Van rental: what you pay at Mate Bus
The rental is the biggest single cost, and it depends on the van, the season and where you drop it off. At Mate Bus, unlimited kilometres are always included, so a long loop through Patagonia costs the same per day as a slow week on the coast.
Seasonal pricing is simple: high season (mid-December to February) is about 1.5 times the base price, because that is when everyone in South America is on holiday. Winter (June to September) is about 0.85 times the base price. The rest of the year, the base price applies.
- ●Mate Classic (compact Kangoo-type van, 2 people): from $75 per day
- ●Mate Grande (HiAce-type van with a big wooden bed and pull-out kitchen, 2 people, automatic): from $139 per day
- ●One-way fees (Mate Classic): Buenos Aires to Bariloche $320, to Salta $320, to Mendoza $260, to Montevideo $210 — about 40 % more for the Mate Grande (e.g. Bariloche $450)
- ●Unlimited kilometres included on every booking
Fuel: the cost that grows with distance
Argentina is huge, so fuel adds up quickly. As a rough guide, a Kangoo-type van uses approx. 7 to 8 litres of petrol per 100 km, and a HiAce-type van uses approx. 10 litres of diesel per 100 km, more with strong headwinds in Patagonia.
Fuel prices in Argentina change often, sometimes several times a year, so treat any number as a ballpark. In 2026, expect roughly $1.00 to $1.50 per litre in Argentina, and noticeably more in Uruguay (often approx. $1.70 to $2.10). A 3,000 km trip in a Mate Classic therefore needs around 220 litres, or approx. $220 to $330 in fuel. Check current prices in a fuel app or at the YPF pump before you set your budget.
Campsites and free spots
Sleeping is where a campervan saves you the most. Paid campsites (municipal or private) usually cost approx. $5 to $20 per person per night, depending on location and season. Popular places like El Chaltén or the Uruguayan coast in January sit at the top of that range; small-town municipal campings are often at the bottom.
There are also plenty of free spots, from quiet riverbanks to viewpoints, especially in Patagonia and the north. Apps like iOverlander help you find them. A realistic mix is a paid campsite every two or three nights for a hot shower and laundry, and free spots in between.
Food, asado and daily life
Cooking in the van keeps costs low. Supermarkets like Carrefour, Día or local chains have everything you need, and fruit, vegetables, bread and wine are good value. Beef is a cultural institution, so do at least one proper asado at a campsite grill (parrilla); most campsites have one.
If two people mostly self-cater, plan on approx. $20 to $35 per day for both, plus extra for coffee, empanadas and the occasional restaurant dinner. Eating out every day can easily double that. Prices in Uruguay are generally higher than in Argentina.
National parks and ferries
Many of the best places are national parks with an entry fee. Foreigners usually pay more than residents, and fees change regularly. Expect approx. $10 to $45 per person per park, with famous parks like Los Glaciares or Iguazú at the higher end. Some parks are free or only charge for specific areas.
If you are heading to Uruguay, the ferry from Buenos Aires to Colonia with a vehicle is a real cost: approx. $150 to $350 one way for the van and two passengers, depending on the company, the date and how early you book. Remember the Border permit extra if you take a Mate van across.
Example: 2 weeks for 2 people in shoulder season
Here is a realistic budget for two people, 14 days in a Mate Classic in October or April, covering about 3,000 km in a loop from Buenos Aires (no one-way fee). All figures are approximate.
That works out to roughly $950 to $1,200 per person for two weeks, with transport and accommodation included. In a Mate Grande, add approx. $900 for the rental and a bit more fuel, in exchange for more space, a big wooden bed and an automatic gearbox.
- ●Van rental: 14 days x $75 = approx. $1,050
- ●Fuel: approx. $220 to $330
- ●Campsites: approx. 8 paid nights x $10 to $15 pp = $160 to $240
- ●Food and drinks: approx. $350 to $550
- ●Park entries and extras: approx. $100 to $200
- ●Total for two: approx. $1,900 to $2,400
How to keep your budget low
Travel in shoulder season (March to May or October to November), when prices are lower and campsites are quieter. Mix free spots with paid campsites, cook most meals, and plan a route that avoids long backtracking. Booking early also helps: Mate Bus requires at least 21 days lead time, so reserve at least 3 weeks ahead and lock in your dates.
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Book your Mate Bus at least 3 weeks ahead — free cancellation up to 21 days before pick-up.
