Which place is cheaper, Galapagos Islands 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 Galapagos Islands?
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 Galapagos Islands 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 Galapagos Islands?
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.
Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are a small archipelago of islands belonging to Ecuador in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The Galapagos archipelago is world-renowned for its unique and fearless wildlife, much of which was inspiration for Charles Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection. Thanks to a lack of natural predators, friendly wildlife such as sea lions and gigantic sea tortoises let visitors get up close. This archipelago of about 19 islands and many smaller islets found over 620 miles off Ecuador's coast in the Pacific Ocean is a double World Heritage site, where both land and sea are protected. Each island boasts its own unique landscape, ranging from black, volcanic rocks to white sand beaches and gemstone-blue waters. There is no bad time to visit the Galapagos Islands but the busiest months for tourism tend to be June, July and August, as well as mid-December to mid-January. This is when prices are at their highest.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Ecuador, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Ecuador.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina Prices
Argentina PricesGalapagos Islands Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $56Galapagos Islands $160
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $56, while the average daily cost in Galapagos Islands is $160. 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 Galapagos Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuenos Aires, Argentina $40Galapagos Islands $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $80Galapagos Islands $130
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Galapagos Islands
Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina or Galapagos Islands? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.09Galapagos Islands $54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- Experience Estancia La Candelaria with transfer from Buenos Aires: $280
- Rojo Tango Show Including Private Transfers: $260
- Rojo Tango Show: Skip the Line Ticket including Private Transfer: $260
- Private City Tour & Transfer to the International Airport: $250
- Gaucho Day: Areco Town & Estancia with Private Transfer: $249
- Private Transfer Aeroparque J. Newbery Airport In Buenos Aires: $245
- Private Transfer Cruise Port In Buenos Aires: $233
- Executive Van Transfer: Ezeiza Airport (EZE) – Buenos Aires: $210
- Querandi Tango show Vip with private transfer: $210
- Personalized Airport Transfers in Buenos Aires: $200
- Buenos Aires Exp. Winery Gamboa Tasting and Lunch and Transfer: $192
- Transfer Airports-Cruise Port: $190
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galapagos Islands
Also for Galapagos Islands, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Maritime transfer between the Galapagos Islands: $45
- Private Transfer from Baltra Airport to Hotels in Santa Cruz Island: $137
- Private Transfer from Hotels in Santa Cruz to Baltra Airport: $137
- Santa Cruz Airport Transfer & Highlands Tour: $175
- Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to San Cristobal Island: $56
Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or Galapagos Islands?
Prices for flights to both Galapagos Islands 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 $7.54Galapagos Islands $55
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
- Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $39
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
- BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $39
- Tango Porteño Show or Dinner Show with Barra Libre Buenos Aires: $40
- Madero Tango Dance Show with Dinner on Demand: $42
- 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 Viejo Almacen Tango Show with Optional Dinner: $47
- El Aljibe Tango Show in Buenos Aires with Optional Dinner: $47
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $30Galapagos Islands $35
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Único tour sobre la Historia del Tango (sin mitos): $60
- "SAILING TOUR: Tango and Choripan (typical Argentine food): $300
- 1-Hour Catamaran Cruise in the Tiger Delta: $20
- 2 Hour Tour in Buenos Aires Parisina: $43
- 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
- 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
- A Back-Street Beer Brewing Tour of Buenos Aires: $165
- A Local's Grill: Hidden Tigre Island Experience - Grill & Wine: $120
Tours and Activities in Galapagos Islands
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Galapagos Islands.
- Giant Turtle Watching and Lava Tunnels Tour: $40
- Santa Cruz Craters and Tunnels Tour of Lava and Turtles: $40
- Bay Tour in Santa Cruz - Galapagos Islands: $60
- Isabela Island Tour in Galapagos with Kayak: $64
- Hiking Tour to Sierra Negra Volcano: $67
- Half Day Bay Tour in Santa Cruz Island: $75
- BiciTour Giant Turtles and Lava Tunnel in Galapagos: $90
- Kayaking Experience in Franklin Bay: $95
- Walk Inside an Active Volcano: Sulfur Mines Fumaroles Experience: $99
- Santa Cruz Highland Tour: Giant Tortoises, Lava Tunnel & Gemelos: $158
- Full Day Tour Pinzon Island + La Fe/Las Palmas - Snorkeling & Fishing: $175
- Beach Wildlife and Snorkel Adventure with Underwater Specialist: $179
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $9.20Galapagos Islands $15
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
- Wine Tasting and Tapas with Expert Sommelier in 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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Galapagos Islands, we can see that Galapagos Islands is more expensive. And not only is Buenos Aires, Argentina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Galapagos Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Galapagos Islands 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 Galapagos Islands Expensive?.
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.