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

Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Paracas?

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 Paracas 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 Paracas?

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.

Paracas

Paracas, also known as El Chaco, is a resort town on the Southern coast of the country, about 150 miles south of Lima. The town in located in one of the oldest regions of Peru, with a history dating back to 900 BC and offers many pre-Inca cultural sites throughout the area. Paracas is possibly best known for being home to the Paracas National Reserve, a nature reserve boasting one of the most abundant and diverse ecosystems in the world.

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 Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Paracas 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.

  • Buenos Aires, Argentina Prices
    Argentina Prices
    Paracas Prices
    Peru Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $56
    Paracas $87

The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $56, while the average daily cost in Paracas is $87. 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 Paracas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $40
    Paracas $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $80
    Paracas $50
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Paracas

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


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: Paracas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.07
    Paracas $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

  • 8hr Buenos Aires City Tour and Airport Transfer Combo: $298
  • Airport Transfer: Airport EZE to Buenos Aires by Business Car: $118
  • Airport Transfer: Buenos Aires to Airport EZE by Business Car: $112
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Airport AEP to Buenos Aires in Luxury Car: $129
  • Arrival Transfer Ezeiza Airport EZE to Buenos Aires City by Sedan: $68
  • Arrival Transfer: Airport AEP to Buenos Aires by Business Car: $118
  • Arrival Transfer: Ezeiza Airport EZE to Buenos Aires by Sedan: $118
  • Best Tango Show with Private Transfer: $111
  • Best Tango Show with Private Transfer: $105
  • Buenos Aires : Aljibe, Tango and folklore show with Transfers.: $72
  • Buenos Aires : The house of D10S With Transfers.: $51
  • Buenos Aires Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) Private Transfer: $68

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:

  • Bus Station Private Transfer: $24
  • Candelabro Geoglyph Kayak Tour with hotel transfer: $130
  • National Reserve Guided Tour with Transfers: $22
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $218
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $218

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

Prices for flights to both Paracas 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 $7.49
    Paracas $44

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: $30
  • Tango Show at Tango Porteño with Optional Dinner: $37
  • Tango Porteño Show or Dinner Show with Barra Libre Buenos Aires: $37
  • 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
  • Buenos Aires Family Empanada Cooking Class Kids Take the Lead: $44
  • Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $45
  • Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $45
  • Early Tango Dinner Show with Optional Traditional Bus Transfer: $46
  • BA: Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $46
  • El Viejo Almacen Tango Show with Optional Dinner: $47

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paracas

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Paracas.

  • Hidden Gems of Pisco: Food Tour & Tuk-Tuk Adventure: $60

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $30
    Paracas $27

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 Audio Tour Evita Peron: Don't cry for me Argentina: $6.72
  • Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $6.72
  • Buenos Aires Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h30 and 18 reviews: $6.81
  • Heart of Colonial Buenos Aires Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Discover Buenos Aires: A Self-Guided Tour: $8.30
  • 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
  • Recoleta Cemetery Buenos Aires Tour with Audioguide (no ticket): $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $11
  • Private Tour of San Telmo, Old Town: $12
  • Private Tour of La Boca and Caminito: $12

Tours and Activities in Paracas

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

  • From Ballestas Islands Boat Tour with Guide: $13
  • Paracas National Reserve Group Tour from Paracas: $15
  • Ballestas Islands and Candelabro Boat Tour: $15
  • From Guided boat tour to the Ballestas Islands: $15
  • Tourist Transport Ticket from Paracas to Huacachina: $15
  • From Speedboat Tour to the Ballestas Islands: $16
  • BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $16
  • Ballestas Island Boat tour from Paracas: $16
  • Ballestas Islands Morning Boat Tour: $17
  • Ballestas Islands Guided Boat Tour: $17
  • Explore the National Reserve: Guided Tour with Transportation: $18
  • Full Experience to the Ballestas Islands Guided Tour: $18

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $9.13
    Paracas $12

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:

  • BA: Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending in Palermo: $54
  • Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
  • Wine Tasting and Local Specialties in Buenos Aires: $58
  • Tango Lesson and Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires, Argentina: $65
  • Wine Tasting and Tapas with Expert Sommelier in 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
  • Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $94
  • Private Malbec Wine Tasting Experience in Buenos Aires: $95
  • Private argentinian wine tasting in downtown: $97
  • Private Walking Tour & Argentine wine Tasting: $103


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


Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Paracas?

Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 10930 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Paracas, 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.