A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Buenos Aires, Argentina vs. Cabo San Lucas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Cabo San Lucas?

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 Cabo San Lucas 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 Cabo San Lucas?

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.

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas ("Cabo") is on the far southern end of the Baja Peninsula. It has countless resorts and activities for visitors. There are world class golf courses, fine dining options, and five star resorts. Prior to the 1980s, Cabo was a quiet fishing village but with the construction of a nearby airport in 1977, the city rapidly grew into one of Mexico's most popular resort vacation spots. Today, Cabo has one of the country's most vibrant nightlife scenes. It also has plenty of water sport activities, and a great beach scene.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Argentina, The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Cabo San Lucas or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $10, while the average daily cost in Cabo San Lucas is $139. 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 Cabo San Lucas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $4.13
    Cabo San Lucas $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $8.26
    Cabo San Lucas $126
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Cabo San Lucas

Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina or Cabo San Lucas? 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.

Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina


Hotels in Cabo San Lucas


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: Buenos Aires, Argentina Hotel Prices and Cabo San Lucas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $1.58
    Cabo San Lucas $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:


  • Taxi from Airport
    $0.13
  • Local Bus
    $0.00
  • Metro Ride
    $0.00
  • Taxi to airport
    $0.03
  • Taxi
    $0.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:

  • Ezeiza Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $75
  • Airport Transfer Buenos Aires (to/from Ezeiza & Aeroparque): $90
  • Airport Transfer: Buenos Aires to Jorge Newbery Airfield Airport (AEP): $25
  • Aljibe Tango Earlier Show With Private Transfers From Port & Hotels Buenos Aires: $85
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Airport AEP to Buenos Aires in Business Car: $80
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Airport AEP to Buenos Aires in Luxury Car: $124
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Airport AEP to Buenos Aires in Luxury Van: $112
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Ezeiza Airport EZE to Buenos Aires: $108
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Ezeiza Airport EZE to Buenos Aires: $139
  • Arrival Transfer Ezeiza Airport EZE to Buenos Aires City by Sedan: $46
  • Best Tango Show with Private Transfer: $102
  • Buenos Aires Airport (EZE) to Buenos Aires hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $44

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabo San Lucas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cabo San Lucas:

  • Cabo San Lucas Port to San Jose Del Cabo hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $36
  • Los Cabos Luxury Escalade One-Way Airport Transfer: $157
  • San Jose Del Cabo hotels to Cabo San Lucas Port - Departure Private Transfer: $36
  • Airport Transfer to Cabo San Lucas & Pacific side Hotels & Villas Round Trip: $149
  • Arrival Private Transfer Service One way from Los Cabos airport to Hotel: $188
  • Arrival Share Transfer Service One way from Los Cabos airport to Hotel: $49
  • Cabo Airport CSL to Cabo San Lucas Round Trip Private Transfer: $65
  • Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSL) to Cabo San Lucas Port - Arrival Private Transfer : $33
  • Cabo San Lucas Airport CSL to Cruise Port Arrival Transfer: $33
  • Cabo San Lucas Airport(CSL): Transfer to Cabo San Lucas Port: $161
  • Cabo San Lucas City to Cabo San Lucas Port Private Transfer : $33
  • Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port to Airport CSL Departure Transfer: $33

Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or Cabo San Lucas?

Prices for flights to both Cabo San Lucas 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 day
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $3.25
    Cabo San Lucas $51
Typical Food Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:


  • Lunch
    $0.03
  • Cup of Coffee
    $0.01
  • Empandas
    $0.02
  • Espresso
    $0.01
  • Dinner (Pizza)
    $0.02
  • Ice Cream
    $0.01
  • Breakfast at Airport
    $0.04
  • Dinner (Sandwiches)
    $0.01
  • Sweets
    $0.01
  • Hot Dog
    $0.01
  • Breakfast (Take-Away)
    $0.01
  • Lunch for 2
    $0.16
  • Cake and Coffee
    $0.53
  • Dinner
    $1.88
  • Powerade
    $0.12
  • Lunch
    $0.83
  • Dinner
    $1.21
  • Chocolate
    $3.12

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.

  • 3-Hour Buenos Aires Empanadas and Alfajores Guided Cooking Class: $35
  • Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $35
  • Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
  • Premium Empanadas Cooking Class in Buenos Aires: $39
  • Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class: $39
  • Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Buenos Aires: $39
  • Tango Show and Optional Dinner at Esquina Homero Manzi: $40
  • Argentinian grilled pizza class in San Telmo: $40
  • Catulo Tango: Tango Show & Folklore with Optional Dinner: $40
  • Tango Dinner Show Homero Manzi menu Sur: $45
  • Private tour Argentinian Flavours food tours on foot : $46
  • Small Group Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Blending: $49

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cabo San Lucas

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cabo San Lucas.

  • Sunset Dinner Cruise with Domestic Open Bar: $64
  • Tasting Cabo San Lucas Like a Local Food Tour: $70
  • Cabo San Lucas Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Open Bar: $75
  • Sea to Table Fisherman's Seafood Tour in Cabo San Lucas: $80
  • Seafood Galore, Los Cabos Food Tour: $80
  • San Jose del Cabo Morning Food Tour: $86
  • Parrillada dinner with a Private Chef in your villa/condo in Cabo or San Jose: $86
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise at Cabo San Lucas Bay: $89
  • Private Mexican Cooking Class in Your Cabo San Lucas Villa or Condo: $90
  • Catch of the day dinner in your private villa/condo in Cabo or San Jose del Cabo: $90
  • San José del Cabo for Meat Lovers Food Tour: $90
  • Cabo Sunset Dinner Cruise: Fajitas, Lands End and Party: $94

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $3.34
    Cabo San Lucas $43
Typical Entertainment Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Here are a few typical costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Japanese Gardens (for 2)
    $0.04
  • Movie Ticket
    $0.02
  • Tango Class
    $0.03
  • Bar entrance
    $0.58

Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Palermo Soho for curious people Walking Tour: $5.00
  • Buenos Aires Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour Evita Peron: Don't cry for me Argentina : $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $10
  • Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $10
  • La Boca Walking Tour: $13
  • Walking Tour Knowing Rodrigo Bueno in Buenos Aires: $15
  • Historical Tour of the Recoleta Cemetery: $15
  • Walking Tour La Boca: $15
  • Graffiti Tour: $15
  • True Crime Buenos Aires: A Walking Tour: $15
  • Recoleta Cemetery Experience - Immersive Tour with the Death: $16

Tours and Activities in Cabo San Lucas

Here are a few actual costs in Cabo San Lucas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Your Own Private Luxury Yacht Experience in Cabo, Lunch included: $1.21
  • Tour paseo al Arco + bajada en playa: $12
  • Boat Tour to Cabo San Lucas Arch and Rock Formations: $18
  • Glass bottom boat tour: $19
  • Water Taxi Tour: $20
  • Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $20
  • Glass Bottom Boat Sightseeing Tour in Cabo San Lucas: $23
  • Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $23
  • Glass Bottom Boat Tour - Cabo San Lucas: $23
  • Classic Tour to the Arch in Glass Bottom: $23
  • Tour to The Arch from Cabo San Lucas : $29
  • Tour to The Arch and Lover's Beach (optional) from Cabo: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $1.81
    Cabo San Lucas $28
Typical Alcohol Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Buenos Aires, Argentina from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $0.01
  • Beer (0.66L)
    $0.02
  • Cocktail
    $0.03
  • Alcohol
    $0.67

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:

  • Argentine Wine Tasting in Caminito with Appetizers Included: $30
  • Wine tasting at the Barolo Palace: $35
  • Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $38
  • Wine Tasting of Argentina's Most Classic and Popular Wines: $42
  • Unique Wine Tasting in a Boutique Hotel : $45
  • Wine Tasting at Downtown Buenos Aires Ego Experience: $53
  • Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $55
  • Upscale Asado & Wine Tasting (BBQ): $56
  • Buenos Aires Premium Wine Tasting: $58
  • Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $62
  • Argentinian Private Premium Wine Tasting Live+Guided Walking tour: $76
  • Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $79

Sample the Local Flavors in Cabo San Lucas

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cabo San Lucas:

  • Cabo Bar Crawl - The BEST Bar and Clubs in Cabo : $55
  • Wine Tasting Sunset Cruise Tour in San Jose del Cabo: $190


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Cabo San Lucas, we can see that Cabo San Lucas is more expensive. And not only is Buenos Aires, Argentina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Buenos Aires, Argentina is in South America and Cabo San Lucas is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Buenos Aires, Argentina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Buenos Aires, Argentina and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Cabo San Lucas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cabo San Lucas than you might in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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 Cabo San Lucas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Cabo San Lucas?

Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 310 times larger than the population of Cabo San Lucas. When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Cabo San Lucas, 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.