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

Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Iquique?

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 Iquique 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 Iquique?

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.

Iquique

Located in a golden crescent of coastline, the beautiful beach city with an ocean that's several shades of blue and a historic centre that offers the perfect balance of culture and relaxation is counted among Chile's premier beach resorts. The city is home to the duty free zone called "Zofri" and a growing number of high rise resort hotels along its beaches. Slightly more expensive and polluted than neighboring population centers, such as Arica, Iquique and its chaotic duty-free shopping zone (zona franca) have become the perfect summer holiday destination for Chilean families.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Argentina, The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Iquique 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 Iquique is $94. 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 Iquique in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $4.20
    Iquique $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $8.40
    Iquique $84
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Iquique

Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina or Iquique? 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 Iquique


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $1.60
    Iquique $23
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
    $0.14
  • Local Bus
    $0.00
  • Metro Ride
    $0.00
  • Taxi to airport
    $0.04
  • Taxi
    $0.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

  • Transfer from Ezeiza Airport to Buenos Aires City - ROUND TRIP: $264
  • Shore Excursion: Rojo Tango Show Including Private Transfers: $260
  • Ministro Pistarini Airport to Colón Roundtrip Transfer: $253
  • Private City Tour & Transfer to the International Airport: $250
  • Ministro Pistarini Airport to Gualeguaychú Round Trip Transfer: $242
  • Rojo Tango Show Ticket with Private Transfers From Port & Hotels in Buenos Aires: $229
  • Buenos Aires: Temaiken Biopark including Transfers: $227
  • Buenos Aires City Tour and Airport Transfer Combo: $222
  • LOCAL AIRPORT TRANSFER (AEP) ROUND TRIP with english speaking driver: $200
  • Private Transfer: Round trip transfer from/to EZE International Airport: $190
  • Querandi Tango show Vip with private transfer: $190
  • Private Transfer Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) In Buenos Aires: $185

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Iquique

Also for Iquique, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Sandboard activity in Iquique with transfer: $60

Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or Iquique?

Prices for flights to both Iquique 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 $3.30
    Iquique $33
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
    $0.17
  • Cake and Coffee
    $0.54
  • Dinner
    $1.91
  • Powerade
    $0.12
  • Lunch
    $0.85
  • Dinner
    $1.23
  • Chocolate
    $3.16

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.

  • Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $35
  • Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class: $35
  • Tango Show and Optional Dinner at Esquina Homero Manzi: $37
  • Empanadas and Alfajores Cooking Experience in Buenos Aires: $39
  • Argentine Empanadas Private Virtual Cooking Class: $40
  • Private tour Argentinian Flavours food tours on foot : $44
  • Tango Dinner Show Homero Manzi menu Sur: $45
  • Private Walking Tour & Argentinian pizzas Tasting: $50
  • Skip the Line Ticket for Tango Porteño Show with Dinner : $53
  • Tango Porteño Show with Private Transfers (with optional dinner): $54
  • Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $54
  • Aljibe Earlier Tango Show Skip the Line Ticket W/Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $55

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $3.39
    Iquique $27
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
    $0.59

Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

  • Experience the Night of Buenos Aires with electric bikes: $59
  • Private Full Day City Tour by Iconic Buenos Aires: $290
  • Small Group Walking Tour: Urban Art Palermo: $50
  • 100% Gaucho Experience in a Traditional Estancia: $243
  • 3 hours Private La Boca Street Art Walking Tour: $127
  • 3-Hour Bike Tour Getting to Know the Best of Buenos Aires: $35
  • 3-Hour Private Street Art Tour in La Boca and Barraca: $45
  • 4-Hour Private Night Tour of the Most Exclusive Places: $70
  • 5hs Premium Small Group City Tour of Buenos Aires: $55
  • 8 Hours Guided Bike Tour in Delta El Tigre: $140
  • 8-Hour Tour of the South Bank of the Río de la Plata: $200
  • @argentinahighlights Private City Tour in Buenos Aires: $118

Tours and Activities in Iquique

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Iquique.

  • City tour of Iquique with navigation to the Esmeralda buoy: $50
  • Guided City Tour with Boat Trip to Esmeralda Buoy: $60
  • City Tour in Iquique: $89
  • Pintados Geoglyphs, Humberstone and Salar Crespo tour: $140

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $1.83
    Iquique $20
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
    $0.68

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:

  • 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
  • Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $55
  • Buenos Aires Premium Wine Tasting: $58
  • Buenos Aires Wine Tasting Tour: $65
  • Private Walking Tour & Argentine wine Tasting: $78
  • Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $79
  • Argentine Experience: Immersive 6 Course Menu with Wine Tasting : $98
  • Half-Day Nightlife Experience in Buenos Aires: Palermo Bar Crawl: $110
  • Bodega Gamboa Premium Wine Tasting with Lunch: $165
  • Wine Tour to Colonia Del Sacramento Uruguay: $168


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Iquique, we can see that Iquique 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 Iquique would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Iquique 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 Iquique Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Iquique?

Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Iquique. When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Iquique, 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.