How much does it cost to travel to Salta?
You should plan to spend around $9.62 (AR$8,304) per day on your vacation in Salta. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $3.27 (AR$2,820) on meals
- $4.00 (AR$3,454) on local transportation
- $6.93 (AR$5,985) on hotels
A one week trip to Salta for two people costs, on average, $135 (AR$116,251). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
In recent years, the Argentine Peso has been very unstable. Therefore, travel cost estimates can sometimes be inaccurate for this country.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Salta has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Salta expensive to visit?
Salta is a very affordable place to visit. Located in Argentina, which is a very affordable country, visitors will appreciate the lower prices of this destination. It falls in the average range in the country for its prices. Budget travelers enjoy spending long periods of time exploring Salta in depth.
Within South America, Salta is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in South America for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as Salta.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Salta Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Salta?
The average Salta trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Salta travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
AR$5,985
($7)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
AR$3,454
($4)
|
|
Food 2
|
AR$2,820
($3)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
AR$2,933
($3)
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
AR$3 -
9
($0 - 0)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
AR$590 -
1,769
($1 - 2)
|
Accommodation Budget in Salta
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Salta is $3.47 (AR$2,992). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Salta is $6.93 (AR$5,985). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Salta? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Salta
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Salta is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $4.00 (AR$3,454) per person, per day, on local transportation in Salta.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$4.00
AR$3,454
How much does it cost to go to Salta? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Salta will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Typical prices for Transportation in Salta are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Salta, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Food Budget in Salta
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Salta can vary, the average cost of food in Salta is $3.27 (AR$2,820) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Salta should cost around $1.31 (AR$1,128) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Salta is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$3.27
AR$2,820
Typical prices for Food in Salta are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Salta, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Emplanadas
AR$5.00
-
Ice Cream
AR$6.00
-
Lunch
AR$580
-
Coffee
AR$120
Entertainment Budget in Salta
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Salta typically cost an average of $3.40 (AR$2,933) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$3.40
AR$2,933
Typical prices for Entertainment in Salta are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Salta, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Gondola Ride
AR$15
-
Pool
AR$50
-
Wine and Cheese night
AR$3,584
Tips and Handouts Budget in Salta
Calculated from travelers like you
Alcohol Budget in Salta
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $1.37 (AR$1,179) on alcoholic beverages in Salta per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$1.37
AR$1,179
Typical prices for Alcohol in Salta are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Salta, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Beer
AR$10
-
Alcohol
AR$300
Water Budget in Salta
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $0.01 (AR$9.38) on bottled water in Salta per day. The public water in Salta is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$0.01
AR$9.38
Salta On a Budget
Salta, Argentina
Located in the heart of the famous Northwest region of Argentina, at 1200m of elevation and at the foot of the Cerro San Bernardo, Salta is the largest city of the region and perhaps the most beautiful colonial city of Argentina. Founded in 1582 by the Spanish, Salta was an important stop for merchants who followed the usual trade road through Bolivia and Peru. Argentines call this city nestled in the foothills of the Andes and surrounded by mountains, of just over half a million inhabitants, Salta La Linda (Salta the Beautiful) and it's easy to see why. Young and traditional at the same time, Salta and its renowned museums, plaza side cafes and live
musica folklorica of its bustling penas, is a sophisticated and lively city day and night.
Sights
Salta's historic center revolves around the Plaza 9 de Julio, the city's main square, where immense palm trees and magnolias have been planted to create what is now thought as the most beautiful square of all Northwestern cities of Argentina. As you walk around the square, and perhaps even stop at one of its little cafes, you will see the city's famous pink and golden cathedral. Do not hesitate to take a peek at the richly decorated interior, which is opened every day from 6h30 to 12h30 and 16h30 to 20h30. Another important sight in Salta, is the Iglesia San Francisco. This red, white and golden church also has a museum opened Tuesday to Friday from 10h30 to 12h30 and 16h30 to 18h30. Near the church is also the Convento San Bernardo, which is one of the oldest building of the city, worth stopping by if you have time. Only the church allows visitors inside, from 6h30 to 8h30 on Monday to Saturday. Many travellers come to Salta to climb up (40 min to 1 hour walk), or simply take the cable car (every day from 10h to 19h, USD$6.50) up to the Cerro San Bernardo, which has been converted into a small natural reserve with a cafeteria. This legendary sight is on a hill of about 250 m that dominates the city and offers a stunning panoramic view on Salta. You can also access the sight by car. At the foot of the Cerro San Bernardo is the Monumento al general Martin Miguel de Guemes, which celebrates this icone of Salta during the Independence Wars. His army of gauchos wore black and red ponchos and also became a symbol of the city.
Activities
In terms of activities, Salta is mostly known for its many museums. You will find the Museo Historico del Norte, which explains the cultural and historical evolution of the province.
The Museo de Arqueologia de Alta Montana recounts the story of the expedition led in 1999 that permitted the discovery of three mummified children on the Volcano Llullaillaco at 6 739m of altitude. As its name explains, The Museo de la Ciudad, is a museum about the city of Salta. It was set in the Casa de Hernandez, a fabulous neo-colonial house built in the 1870. The Museo Folklorico Pajarito Velarde is a sort of house-museum, with only one room, owned by an art amateur and sponsor. The fascinating explanations and commentaries made around the pieces of art, music, paintings, literature, singing,... compensate with the place's modesty. The Museo Uriburu, dedicated to the colonial era, bears the name of two Argentine presidents born in Salta, Jose Felix Uriburu and Jose Evaristo Uriburu. The XIX century house and its beautiful corbelled balcony holds a fantastic collection of furniture, paintings, religious and other objects of the colonial era.
The Museo de Bellas Artes is placed in a french-style house of the XIX century and presents the art of Argentinean and European artists by time periods, pre-hispanic, revolutionary, XIX and XX century. Finally the Museo de Arte etnico Americano Pajcha holds six little rooms and a space for exhibitions about the Indian traditions since the pre-columbian era until today. If you are spending a few days around Salta, you can also leave on an excursion on the Tren de Las Nubes (Cloud Train). Be prepared for a 434 km trip (about 15h to 16h hours) from Salta to La Polvorilla viaduct. After crossing 29 bridges, 13 viaducts, 21 tunnels, and numerous quebradas (ravine), you will literally have the heads in the clouds! If you are travelling with children or if you have a more restricted budget, you can also do half of the trip by train and the other half by bus, which is a quicker option, or a major part of the journey can also be discovered by car.
Food and Dining
While Salta is fast growing as people from all over Argentina and the world flock to visit for hiking, wine tasting, and exploring the surrounding countryside, Salta takes food and tradition very seriously. With its roots in local Andean culture and a touch of the Spanish colonial influence, the regional palate is slow to accept change. The region's specialty is the Saltena empanada, small and crispy usually filled with beef, but you can also find them filled with cheese, chicken, or ham. Most ingredients that you will find on your plate are grown in the region. The climate of Salta province stretches to extremes, allowing for a wide range of locally grown foods. Mangoes and tropical fruits grow in the north, quinoa and chili peppers are found in the dry desert and vegetables and wine in the more temperate middle of the province. While Salta may not be known for an extensive variety of dishes, what it lacks in diversity, it makes up in the quality of the ingredients.
Transportation
Many backpackers like to discover the region around Salta with a car. Renting a car is a very good idea not only because it gives you greater autonomy but also simply because the roads in the Northwest region of Argentina are incredibly beautiful and spectacular. Travelers rarely spend more than two days in Salta because most activities and sights are found in between cities and towns and there is no better way to discover the region than by doing a fun road trip through it! To reach Salta, there are many bus companies coming from big cities such as Buenos Aires, Cordoba but also smaller towns including Cafayate, Pumamarca, La Rioja. You can also travel by plane to the airport Martin Miguel de Guemes, which is not too far from Salta's center.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.