Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or La Paz?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Buenos Aires, Argentina and La Paz can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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.
La Paz
La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, has a breathtaking setting. The city is the highest national capital in the world, with an altitude ranging from about 4,058 m (13,313 ft) above sea level in El Alto, where the airport is located, to 3,100 m (10,170 ft) in the lower residential area. The dynamic and chaotic city was built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. La Paz is now a fusion of architectural styles, cultures and beliefs, welcoming everyday new boutique hotels, modern shops, delicious restaurants and reinventing standing establishments. However, generally speaking, Bolivia remains more a backpacker hit than a mainstream tourist destination.
Which city is cheaper, La Paz or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Average Daily Cost
Per person, per day
Buenos Aires, Argentina
$74
La Paz
$36
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $74, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $36. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Buenos Aires, Argentina and La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $58. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Travelers usually pay around $26 for a double occupancy room in La Paz If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
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Accommodation
Hotel or hostel for one person
Buenos Aires, Argentina $29
La Paz $13
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Accommodation
Typical double-occupancy room
Buenos Aires, Argentina
$58
La Paz
$26
Food
In Buenos Aires, Argentina travelers spend around $24 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
La Paz food costs typically run travelers around $13 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
Typical Food prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
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Lunch
$0.23
-
Cup of Coffee
$0.13
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Empandas
$0.17
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Espresso
$0.08
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Dinner (Pizza)
$0.14
-
Ice Cream
$0.13
-
Breakfast at Airport
$0.34
-
Dinner (Sandwiches)
$0.09
-
Sweets
$0.06
-
Hot Dog
$0.07
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Breakfast (Take-Away)
$0.12
-
Lunch for 2
$1.49
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Cake and Coffee
$4.80
-
Dinner
$17
-
Powerade
$1.05
-
Lunch
$7.55
-
Dinner
$11
-
Chocolate
$28
Typical Food prices in La Paz
For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Buenos Aires, Argentina is $11 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
To get around in La Paz, the average visitor spends $7.58 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
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Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Buenos Aires, Argentina $11
La Paz $7.58
Typical Local Transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
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Taxi from Airport
$1.21
-
Local Bus
$0.03
-
Metro Ride
$0.02
-
Taxi to airport
$0.31
-
Taxi
$0.84
Typical Local Transportation prices in La Paz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Also for La Paz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Airport Transfer In_ Day:
$25
-
Airport Transfer In_night:
$25
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Airport Transfer Out_day:
$25
-
Airport Transfer Out_night:
$25
-
Bus Station Transfer In_day:
$25
-
Bus Station Transfer Out_day:
$25
-
Bus Station Transfer Out_night:
$25
-
Day Transfer from Airport to Hotel and Cable Car:
$20
-
Departure Private Transfer La Paz City to La Paz Airport LPB by Minibus:
$25
-
Departure Private Transfer La Paz City to La Paz Airport LPB by Minibus:
$25
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Departure Private Transfer La Paz City to La Paz Airport LPB by S-Cross Sx4:
$25
-
La Paz Airport Transfer One Way:
$373
Entertainment
Buenos Aires, Argentina's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $24 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
In La Paz, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $13 per person, per day.
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Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
Buenos Aires, Argentina $24
La Paz $13
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:
Tours and Activities in La Paz
For La Paz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Virtual City Tour - La Paz:
$4.00
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La Paz City Walking Tour Including Historical Streets:
$5.00
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La Paz City Walking Tour:
$5.00
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La Paz Walking Tour:
$5.00
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Cable Car Tour of La Paz:
$8.00
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La Paz city, nomad bohemian tour:
$10
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Titicaca Lake - Bus Ticket - From La Paz City - Ow:
$12
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Cable Car, Cementery, Shaman and El Alto Adventure in La Paz:
$17
-
Private Cable Car City Tour:
$18
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Full Day Tiwanaku Archeological Site Shared Tour:
$20
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Bus City Tour Sightseeing La Paz:
$23
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Tiwanaku and Puma Punku - Shared Tour -:
$23
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $13 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Typically, people visiting La Paz spend on average $8.58 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
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:
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Beer
$0.10
-
Beer (0.66L)
$0.18
-
Cocktail
$0.27
-
Alcohol
$6.03
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and La Paz, we can see that Buenos Aires, Argentina is more expensive. And not only is La Paz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to La Paz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Paz 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Buenos Aires, Argentina than you might in La Paz.
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