Which place is cheaper, Isla Mujeres 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 Isla Mujeres?
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 Isla Mujeres 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 Isla Mujeres?
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.
Isla Mujeres
About eight miles from the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Isla Mujeres is an island in the Mexican Caribbean Sea. The town, of the same name, has a population of about 13,000. Tourism has grown in the area since the 1970s and today it is a significant part of the island's economy. As such, there are plenty of amenities that cater specifically to visitors. The island's proximity to Cuba make it a common transit point for Cubans in route to the United States.
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 Historical Tours in Mexico, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina Prices
Argentina PricesIsla Mujeres Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $55Isla Mujeres $167
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $55, while the average daily cost in Isla Mujeres is $167. 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 Isla Mujeres in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuenos Aires, Argentina $39Isla Mujeres $72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $78Isla Mujeres $144
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Isla Mujeres
Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina or Isla Mujeres? 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: Isla Mujeres Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.04Isla Mujeres $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- Buenos Aires: AEP Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $13
- Private Transfer from Buenos Aires Airport (AEP): $15
- Private Transfer to Buenos Aires Airport (AEP): $15
- Private Airport Transfer from Buenos Aires to Aeroparque AEP: $25
- Private Transfer from Buenos Aires Airport (EZE): $26
- Tango Show in Catullo Without Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer from Buenos Aires Cruise Port to Ezeiza: $28
- Jorge Newbery Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
- Buenos Aires Center One-way Private Transfer to Local Airport: $30
- Buenos Aires Local Airport One - way Private Transfer from 30 USD: $30
- Local Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Buenos Aires Airport (AEP): $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Isla Mujeres
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Isla Mujeres:
- Punta Sam / Isla Blanca to Cancún Airport (CUN)- Departure Private Transfer: $59
Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or Isla Mujeres?
Prices for flights to both Isla Mujeres 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 $7.36Isla Mujeres $73
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: $33
- Piazzolla Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $35
- 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
- BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Tasting in Palermo: $43
- Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $44
- Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $45
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $45
- BA: Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $46
- Early Tango Dinner Show in Buenos Aires: $46
- El Aljibe Tango Show in Buenos Aires with Optional Dinner: $47
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $29Isla Mujeres $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 Walking Tour of Buenos Aires with Audio Guide: $5.72
- Buenos Aires Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $6.72
- Self-Guided Audio Tour Evita Peron: Don't cry for me Argentina: $6.72
- Buenos Aires Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h30 and 18 reviews: $6.79
- Heart of Colonial Buenos Aires Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
- Discover Buenos Aires: A Self-Guided Tour: $8.00
- Private Shopping Tour with Matu Salcedo: $8.00
- 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
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $11
Tours and Activities in Isla Mujeres
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Isla Mujeres are as follows:
- Tour Isla Mujeres excursion in Collective Transparent Boat: $38
- Crystal Boat Tour to Isla Mujeres and Reefs: $39
- Excursion Crystal Boat Tour at the Caribbean: $41
- Transparent Boat Tour Isla Mujeres and Underwater Sightseeing: $52
- Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Adventure at the Underwater Museum: $59
- Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Tour Adventure: $63
- Snorkel Tour at Musa and Manchones Reef: $64
- Snorkeling tour at 3 spots, Underwater Museum and reefs!: $70
- Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Tour: $84
- 3 Hours VIP Semiprivate Tour Isla Mujeres Full Snorkeling Experience: $88
- MUSA and the Manchones Reef: 2 Tank Dive Tour: $125
- Contoy Island Tour with Untouched Paradise and Beach Day: $139
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $8.98Isla Mujeres $23
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: $45
- Buenos Aires Full City Tour with Wine Tasting and Stops: $47
- Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
- Wine Tasting and Local Specialties in Buenos Aires: $56
- Argentine Wine Tasting with Lunch or Charcuterie Pairings: $59
- Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of 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
- Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $85
- Malbec Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires Private Experience: $92
- Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $94
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Isla Mujeres, we can see that Isla Mujeres 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 Isla Mujeres 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 Isla Mujeres would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Isla Mujeres 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 Isla Mujeres Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Isla Mujeres?
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 1050 times larger than the population of Isla Mujeres. When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Isla Mujeres, 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.