A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Buenos Aires, Argentina vs. Lake Titicaca (Puno) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?

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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)?

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.

Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Lake Titicaca, which directly translates to "puma stone" in Quechua, is located high in the Andes Mountains straddling Peru and Bolivia, with about 60% of the lake in Peru and 40% in Bolivia. Among the lake are three main islands, the most popular of which are the Uros Islands, also known as the floating islands, where the Uros people live on totora reeds that grow in the lake.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Argentina, The Best Camping Tours in Argentina, The Best G Adventures Tours to Peru, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lima.


Which place is cheaper, Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 $9.74, while the average daily cost in Lake Titicaca (Puno) is $54. 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $3.92
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $7.84
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $50
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina or Lake Titicaca (Puno)? 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)


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 and Lake Titicaca (Puno) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $1.49
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $10
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
    $0.13
  • Local Bus
    $0.00
  • Metro Ride
    $0.00
  • Taxi to airport
    $0.03
  • Taxi
    $0.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

  • One Way Private AEP Airport Transfer to Buenos Aires: $9.02
  • Private transfer Vehicle from Ezeiza Airport to Buenos Aires City: $16
  • Private transfer Vehicle from Buenos Aires city to Ezeiza Airport: $16
  • Airport Transfer: Buenos Aires to Jorge Newbery Airfield Airport (AEP): $26
  • Private Transfer from Jorge Newbery Airport to Buenos Aires: $28
  • Private transfer from Buenos Aires to Jorge Newbery Airport: $28
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Ezeiza Airport (EZE) -Buenos Aires City: $28
  • Private Transfer from Ezeiza Airport to your Hotel in Buenos Aires: $30
  • Private Airport Transfer AEP Jorge New Berry to CAPITAL BA: $30
  • Jorge Newbery Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
  • Buenos aires Shared EZE Airport Transfer: $33
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private SUV Ezeiza Airport (EZE) -Buenos Aires City: $33

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno):


  • Taxi
    $0.79

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno):

  • Juliaca Airport Private Transfer to/from Puno city: $44
  • Private Transfer From Puno to Arequipa with English Speaking Driver: $266
  • Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay, English Speaking Driver: $212
  • Private Transfer From Puno to Oruro With a Stop in Lake Titicaca: $290
  • Private Transfer From Puno to Oruro with English Speaking Driver: $245
  • Private Transfer from Puerto de Puno to Hotel Puno: $21
  • Private Transfer from Puno to Desaguadero: $196
  • Private Transfer from Puno to Frontera Kasani: $205
  • Private transfer airport-puno-viceverse: $60
  • Puno Airport Shared Transfer: $20
  • Puno Arrival Transfer from bus or railway Station: $14

Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?

Prices for flights to both Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 $3.08
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $15
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
    $0.02
  • Cup of Coffee
    $0.01
  • Empandas
    $0.02
  • Espresso
    $0.01
  • Dinner (Pizza)
    $0.01
  • 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
    $0.16
  • Cake and Coffee
    $0.50
  • Dinner
    $1.78
  • Powerade
    $0.11
  • Lunch
    $0.79
  • Dinner
    $1.15
  • Chocolate
    $2.95

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 Show and Optional Dinner at Esquina Homero Manzi: $35
  • Premium Empanadas Cooking Class in Buenos Aires: $39
  • Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
  • Argentine Empanadas Private Virtual Cooking Class: $40
  • Tango Dinner Show Homero Manzi menu Sur: $45
  • Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Buenos Aires: $45
  • Piazzolla Tango Show with Optional Dinner: $45
  • Private tour Argentinian Flavours food tours on foot : $46
  • La Ventana Tango Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $46
  • Catulo Tango: Tango Show & Folklore with Optional Dinner: $47
  • Empanadas and Alfajores Cooking Experience in Buenos Aires: $49
  • Premium Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Tasting Experience: $49

Typical Food Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:


  • Tamales
    $1.45

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $3.16
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $29
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
    $0.55

Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

  • Historic Buenos Aires: Quest Experience: $6.09
  • Buenos Aires Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • 2 hrs. Walking Tour in San Telmo & Market : $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour Evita Peron: Don't cry for me Argentina : $10
  • Private Tour of La Boca and Caminito: $13
  • La Boca Walking Tour: $13
  • Private Tour of Plaza de Mayo and San Telmo.: $14
  • Buenos Aires Shopping Tour: $15
  • Walking Tour Knowing Rodrigo Bueno in Buenos Aires: $15
  • Graffiti Tour: $15
  • Ticket to the Boca Juniors Museum: $19
  • Puerto Madero, its history and architecture. 2 hour guided tour: $20

Tours and Activities in Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:

  • Half Day Tour to Sillustani from Puno : $22
  • Morning: Uros Floating Islands Tour from Puno: $25
  • Lake Titicaca Uros Floating Islands Half-Day Tour: $25
  • Walking City tour Puno: $26
  • 4h Tour to Sillustani Inca Ruins: $26
  • Sillustani Tombs Half Day Tour from Puno: $28
  • Half Day Tour in Sillustani: $29
  • Half Day Tour to Chullpas de Sillustani From Puno: $35
  • 3h Boat Tour to Uros Island from Puno: $36
  • One-day tour of the Uros and Taquile Islands of Lake Titicaca: $40
  • Tour to Uros and Taquile Islands in a Fast Boat: $40
  • Full Day Guided Tour of the Aymara Route from Puno: $40

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $1.71
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $13
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
    $0.63

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 Pub Crawl: Techno Night: $22
  • Wine tasting at the Barolo Palace: $35
  • Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $42
  • Wine Tasting at Downtown Buenos Aires Ego Experience: $42
  • Wine Tasting of Argentina's Most Classic and Popular Wines: $42
  • Unique Wine Tasting in a Boutique Hotel : $45
  • Tango Lesson and Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires, Argentina: $48
  • Wine tour with 5 tastings in the heart of Buenos Aires: $49
  • Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending Experience: $55
  • Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
  • Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $55
  • Private argentinian wine tasting in downtown : $56


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


Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?

Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Lake Titicaca (Puno). When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Lake Titicaca (Puno), 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.