Which place is cheaper, Cancun 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.
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Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Cancun?
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 Cancun 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 Cancun?
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.
Cancun
In the northeast corner of the Mexican Caribbean, Cancun is one of Mexico's most popular destinations. The area that is now Cancun was actually selected specifically by the Mexican government for development as a tourist destination. The area was chosen because it has fourteen miles of beautiful white beaches, nearby Mayan ruins, and turquoise blue water with nearby snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. Prior to its development as a tourist destination, there were few inhabitants in the area.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina Prices
Argentina PricesCancun Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $56Cancun $161
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $56, while the average daily cost in Cancun is $161. 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 Cancun in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuenos Aires, Argentina $40Cancun $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $80Cancun $186
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Cancun
Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina or Cancun? 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: Cancun Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.09Cancun $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Buenos Aires HTL-APT (EZE): $109
- Transfer from Buenos Aires Int Airport (EZE) to Buenos Aires Port: $71
- Transfer from Buenos Aires Cruise Terminal to International Airport (EZE): $137
- Transfer Van 6 pax Airport Pistarini Buenos Aires to Hotel Port: $170
- Transfer Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE) to Downtown Hotel: $116
- Transfer Buenos Aires Downtown Hotel transfer to International Airport (EZE): $116
- Transfer Buenos Aires Downtown Hotel to Domestic (AEP) or Cruise Terminal: $80
- Transfer Buenos Aires Domestic (AEP) or Cruise Terminal to Downtown Hotel: $80
- Transfer Airports-Cruise Port: $190
- Ticket Museum and Stadium Express Boca Juniors With Transfers: $82
- Temaiken Biopark Tour with Transfer Included: $95
- Tango Show in Tango Porteño - no transfers -: $47
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cancun
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cancun:
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Taxi Around Town$1.60
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Airport Shuttle (for 2)$13
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Ferry to Isla de Mujeres (for 2)$16
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Local Bus (for 2)$1.95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cancun
Also for Cancun, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Private Transfer Puerto Aventuras: $120
- Airport Transfer (Can-cun, Playa del Carmen & Tulum): $111
- Airport Transfer Cancun: $60
- Airport Transfer to Tulum: $160
- Airport Transfers to Puerto Juarez - Private van (ROUND TRIP) FLAT RATE: $204
- Airport Transfers to Puerto Morelos - Private van (ROUND TRIP) FLAT RATE: $193
- Akumal One Way or Roundtrip Private Luxury Transfer: $291
- Amazing ATV (single) Cenote and Ziplines with Transfer from Playa del Carmen: $90
- Arrival Private Transfer from Cancun Airport CUN to Tulum by Minivan or Minibus: $155
- Best SpeedBoat and Snorkeling tour with Transfer from Cancun: $29
- Buggy Trip in Cozumel Island with transfer from Riviera Maya: $207
- Cancún Airport (CUN) Cancun hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or Cancun?
Prices for flights to both Cancun 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
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Food Meals for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $7.54Cancun $47
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.
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show with Optional Transfer and Dinner: $27
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $38
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
- BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $39
- Madero Tango Dance Show with Dinner on Demand: $42
- BA: Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Palermo: $43
- Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $45
- BA: Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $46
- Early Tango Dinner Show with Optional Traditional Bus Transfer: $46
- El Aljibe Tango Show in Buenos Aires with Optional Dinner: $47
- El Viejo Almacen Tango Show with Optional Dinner: $47
- Tango Dinner-Show at El Aljibe with Optional Classic Bus Transfer: $48
Typical Food Prices in Cancun
For Cancun, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cancun
For Cancun, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Romantic Sunset Dinner Cruising Experience: $53
- Cancun Street Food Tour with Food Stalls, Local Market and Murals: $64
- Cancun Food Tour - Taco Attack: Street Food & Tequila Tasting: $69
- Salsa Streets Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $69
- Cancun Food Tour: Market 23, Local Flavors & Downtown Culture: $69
- Cancun Historic Downtown Food Tour with 7+ Authentic Tastings: $76
- Cancun Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $78
- Cancun Hands-On Mexican Cooking Class: $79
- Cancun Taco & Mexican Food Tour with Tequila Tasting: $79
- Pirate Night! Dinner, Fun and Show at Cancun Couples Special: $80
- Cancun Walking Food Tour: Local Food, Markets, and Street Art.: $81
- Puerto Morelos Walking Food Tour: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $30Cancun $34
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "SAILING TOUR: Tango and Choripan (typical Argentine food): $300
- 2 Hours Football and Street Art Walking Tour in Buenos Aires: $30
- 2 hrs. Walking Tour in San Telmo & Market: $13
- 3 Hours Ultimate Buenos Aires Bar Tour: $34
- 3 hours Private La Boca Street Art Walking Tour: $160
- 5 Hour Private Driving and Walking Tour of Buenos Aires: $185
- 5 Stops Walking Tour of Buenos Aires hidden Wineries: $82
- 5hs Small Group City Tour of Buenos Aires (Optional Street Food): $54
- @argentinahighlights City LGBTQ tour: $150
- A Local's Grill: Hidden Tigre Island Experience - Grill & Wine: $120
- Adventure in Parque de la Costa: $95
- Architectural tour of Buenos Aires: $35
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cancun
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cancun's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Seasick Pills$0.57
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Whale Shark Tour (for 2)$97
Tours and Activities in Cancun
For Cancun, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Cancun's Hidden Gems: A Self-Guided Tour: $8.16
- 7 Days Self Guided AI Audio Tours to Cancun and Yucatan: $12
- Shared Speedboat and Snorkeling Adventure in Cancun: $12
- Cancun Beach Taco Tour Culinary Journey with Tequila Tasting: $15
- Speedboat jungle tour and snorkel: $15
- Isla Mujeres Full Day Catamaran Adventure from Cancun: $16
- Speedboat and Snorkeling Adventure in Cancun: $16
- Cancun Clearboat Tour express tour for photos!: $17
- Tour to Isla Mujeres with Snorkeling: $17
- Full-Day Catamaran Tour to Isla Mujeres from Cancun with Lunch: $17
- Isla Mujeres Catamaran Tour with Snorkeling Spinnaker and Lunch: $18
- Mayan Culture and Speedboat Adventure in Cancun: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $9.20Cancun $13
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:
- Buenos Aires Full City Tour with Wine Tasting and Stops: $35
- Exclusive Malbec Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $42
- Wine Tasting and Local Specialties in Buenos Aires: $46
- BA: Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending in Palermo: $54
- Malbec Wine Tasting at Boutique Hotel in Palermo: $59
- Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $65
- Tango Lesson and Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires, Argentina: $65
- Wine Tasting at Encuentro Nativo a Historic Tenement in Caminito: $69
- BA: Wine tour with 5 tasting stops in the heart of Palermo: $78
- Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $85
- Malbec Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires Private Experience: $92
- Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $94
Sample the Local Flavors in Cancun
Also in Cancun, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- A bespoke wine tastings crafted for unforgettable moments: $85
- Bar Crawl Madness Tour in Cancun: $115
- Brewery Tour Craft Beer Tasting Cancun Mexico: $130
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Cancun, we can see that Cancun 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 Cancun 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 Cancun would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cancun 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 Cancun Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Cancun?
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Cancun. When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Cancun, 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.