Which place is cheaper, Banos or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Banos?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Banos can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Buenos Aires, Argentina or Banos?
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, federal capital of Argentina, also known as "The City of Tango", is best known for its energetic and unpredictable character. Like a restless child, Buenos Aires is a dynamic and modern city full of surprises. While its French-style palaces, rooftop restaurants, wide avenues and green plazas resemble European-style architecture, Buenos Aires preserves its musical, literary and culinary traditions. You can't miss dining in front of a Tango show, walking around the colourful streets of La Boca and visiting the renowned Recoleta Cemetery, designed by Argentina's most important architects and home to hundreds of illustrious corpses.
Banos
Banos (de Agua Santa) is a small city in the Andean highlands of Ecuador under volcano Tungurahua. Its name, which is Spanish for "Baths (of sacred water)," comes from the famous hydrothermal springs in the area. It's equally popular with foreigners as with Ecuadorians, and is known as the adventure capital of Ecuador. The streets are lined with hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, and tour agencies. Although it is very touristy, lots of people love it, more for the activities and surroundings than for the city itself. It is an important hub for outdoor sports and jungle tours.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
-
Buenos Aires, Argentina Prices
Argentina PricesBanos Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $56Banos $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $56, while the average daily cost in Banos is $57. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Buenos Aires, Argentina and Banos in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuenos Aires, Argentina $40Banos $16
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $80Banos $32
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Banos
Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina or Banos? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Banos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.07Banos $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- 8hr Buenos Aires City Tour and Airport Transfer Combo: $298
- Airport Transfer: Airport EZE to Buenos Aires by Business Car: $118
- Airport Transfer: Buenos Aires to Airport EZE by Business Car: $112
- Arrival Private Transfers from Airport AEP to Buenos Aires in Luxury Car: $129
- Arrival Transfer Ezeiza Airport EZE to Buenos Aires City by Sedan: $68
- Arrival Transfer: Airport AEP to Buenos Aires by Business Car: $118
- Arrival Transfer: Ezeiza Airport EZE to Buenos Aires by Sedan: $118
- Best Tango Show with Private Transfer: $111
- Best Tango Show with Private Transfer: $105
- Buenos Aires : Aljibe, Tango and folklore show with Transfers.: $72
- Buenos Aires : The house of D10S With Transfers.: $51
- Buenos Aires Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) Private Transfer: $68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Banos
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Banos:
- Transfer Quito → Baños (one way / round trip): $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or Banos?
Prices for flights to both Banos and Buenos Aires, Argentina change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $7.49Banos $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Argentine Cooking, Wine & Beef Tasting at Argentine Experience: $30
- Tango Show at Tango Porteño with Optional Dinner: $37
- Tango Porteño Show or Dinner Show with Barra Libre Buenos Aires: $37
- BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $39
- Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $39
- Madero Tango Dance Show with Dinner on Demand: $42
- Buenos Aires Family Empanada Cooking Class Kids Take the Lead: $44
- Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $45
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $45
- Early Tango Dinner Show with Optional Traditional Bus Transfer: $46
- BA: Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $46
- El Viejo Almacen Tango Show with Optional Dinner: $47
Typical Food Prices in Banos
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Banos:
-
Dinner$13
-
Ice cream$1.50
-
Coffee$2.50
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $30Banos $19
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-Guided Audio Tour Evita Peron: Don't cry for me Argentina: $6.72
- Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $6.72
- Buenos Aires Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h30 and 18 reviews: $6.81
- Heart of Colonial Buenos Aires Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
- Discover Buenos Aires: A Self-Guided Tour: $8.30
- Two to Tango: A San Telmo Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- The Women Behind Puerto Madero’s Streets: A Self Guided Tour: $9.99
- Small Group Buenos Aires Walking Tour: $10
- Recoleta Cemetery Buenos Aires Tour with Audioguide (no ticket): $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $11
- Private Tour of San Telmo, Old Town: $12
- Private Tour of La Boca and Caminito: $12
Typical Entertainment Prices in Banos
Here are a few typical costs in Banos for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Two Rented Bikes for the Day$10
-
Cost to see Waterfall$2.00
-
Day at the Spa$45
-
2 Bike Rentals (1 Day)$10
-
Entrance to Waterfall$2.00
Tours and Activities in Banos
Here are a few actual costs in Banos for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Canopy Ziplining in Puntzan Adventure Park: $26
- 2 Hours Small-Group Horseback Riding Experience in Banos: $30
- Canyoning Adventure Tour in the Ravine: $30
- 1 - Day Jungle Tour to Puyo: $32
- Full Day Amazon Jungle Tour: $34
- 1 day jungle tour: $35
- City Viewpoint Night Tours: $35
- Adventure and Fun River Rafting in Baños Ecuador: $35
- Small-Group Canyoning Experience in Baños de Agua Santa: $39
- 3 Hours Small-Group Horseback Riding Experience in Baños: $40
- Rafting Tour: $40
- Tour to the Amazon for one day: $40
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $9.13Banos $9.74
Sample the Local Flavors in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also in Buenos Aires, Argentina, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- BA: Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending in Palermo: $54
- Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
- Wine Tasting and Local Specialties in Buenos Aires: $58
- Tango Lesson and Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires, Argentina: $65
- Wine Tasting and Tapas with Expert Sommelier in Buenos Aires: $65
- Wine Tasting at Encuentro Nativo a Historic Tenement in Caminito: $69
- Empanadas & Argentine wine tour: $74
- BA: Wine tour with 5 tasting stops in the heart of Palermo: $78
- Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $94
- Private Malbec Wine Tasting Experience in Buenos Aires: $95
- Private argentinian wine tasting in downtown: $97
- Private Walking Tour & Argentine wine Tasting: $103
Typical Alcohol Prices in Banos
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Banos from other travelers:
-
Beer$4.00
When comparing the travel costs between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Banos, we can see that Banos is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Buenos Aires, Argentina Expensive? and Is Banos Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Banos?
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 1380 times larger than the population of Banos. When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Banos, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
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.