Which place is cheaper, Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta?
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 Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta?
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.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta remains a popular tourist destination with Americans, particularly during spring break when students flock to the area. The area is quite beautiful and has many gorgeous beaches, interesting jungles and waterfalls nearby, and no shortage of luxury resorts and four star restaurants. Many of the locals speak English and are friendly and open to helping tourists with directions or general information. Puerto Vallarta's popularity means that its prices are some of the highest in Mexico, particularly during holidays when the area can get quite crowded.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, and The Best Luxury Tours to Mexico.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina Prices
Argentina PricesPuerto Vallarta Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $55Puerto Vallarta $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $55, while the average daily cost in Puerto Vallarta is $126. 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 Puerto Vallarta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuenos Aires, Argentina $39Puerto Vallarta $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $78Puerto Vallarta $114
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Puerto Vallarta
Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina or Puerto Vallarta? 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: Puerto Vallarta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.04Puerto Vallarta $17
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 to Buenos Aires Airport (AEP): $15
- Private Airport Transfer from Buenos Aires to Aeroparque AEP: $25
- Private Transfer from Buenos Aires Airport (EZE): $26
- Private Transfer to Buenos Aires Airport (EZE): $26
- Buenos Aires Center One-way Private Transfer to Local Airport: $30
- Buenos Aires Local Airport One - way Private Transfer from 30 USD: $30
- Jorge Newbery Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
- Local Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
- Private Aeroparque (AEP) Airport Transfer TO Buenos Aires City: $35
- Private Transfer from Ezeiza (EZE) to Buenos Aires Cruise Port: $35
- Private Transfer from Buenos Aires to Buenos Aires Cruise Port: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Vallarta:
- Airport Transfer Puerto Vallarta: $135
- Airport-Hotel Transfers: $104
- NAYARIT VIP Roundtrip Transfers Airport - Nuevo Nayarit - Airport: $79
- PVR VIP Round Trip Transfer Airport - Boca de Tomatlan - Airport: $109
- PVR VIP Round Trip Transfers Airport - Mismaloya Area - Airport: $94
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers - Airport - Zona Hotelera - Airport: $64
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers Airport - Downtown - Airport: $74
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers Airport - Old part of Town - Airport: $54
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers Airport - Zona Romantica - Airport: $79
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers Airport Conchas Chinas Airport: $79
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers Airport from South PV to Airport: $84
- Privat Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport PVR to Punta de Mita: $175
Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or Puerto Vallarta?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Vallarta 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 $7.37Puerto Vallarta $57
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.
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show with Optional Transfer and Dinner: $26
- Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $36
- Tango Show at Tango Porteño with Optional Dinner: $37
- Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $39
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
- Madero Tango Dinner Show: $40
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $43
- BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Tasting in Palermo: $43
- BA: Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Palermo: $43
- Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $44
- Early Tango Dinner Show in Buenos Aires: $46
- BA: Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Vallarta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Puerto Vallarta.
- Old Town Taco Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $49
- 3-Hour Guided Food Tour in Puerto Vallarta: $49
- Taste of Pitillal Food Tour by Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Bucerias Taco Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Taco Adventure Evening Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Winner 2026 Downtown Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Seafood Lover's Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $65
- Vallarta Flavours Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
- Vallarta Tales Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
- Puerto Vallarta Evening Cooking Class: Tacos, Margaritas &Churros: $76
- Versalles de Noche Dinner Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $79
- Vallarta by Road Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $30Puerto Vallarta $17
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: $5.70
- Buenos Aires Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour Evita Peron: Don't cry for me Argentina: $6.72
- Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $6.72
- Heart of Colonial Buenos Aires Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
- Discover Buenos Aires: A Self-Guided Tour: $7.97
- The Women Behind Puerto Madero’s Streets: A Self Guided Tour: $9.99
- Small Group Buenos Aires Walking Tour: $10
- Private Shopping Tour with Matu Salcedo: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $11
- Private Tour of San Telmo, Old Town: $12
- Palermo Graffiti Tour: $13
Tours and Activities in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Vallarta are as follows:
- Tequila Tasting Tour in Nuevo Vallarta: $8.00
- City Tour Puerto Vallarta - Churches, Tequila Test and more: $9.63
- Puerto Vallarta Historical El Centro: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Puerto Vallarta City Tour: Malecon, Mismaloya & Tequila Tasting: $14
- Skip the Line: Vallarta Botanical Garden Admission Ticket: $21
- Butterfly Experience Nature Park Admission: $21
- City tour express, Butterfly, tequila, river and beach (free kids): $22
- Private Bike City Tour with Photo Session in Puerto Vallarta: $22
- Day of the Dead Cemetery Walking Tour in Puerto Vallarta: $27
- Puerto Vallarta Historic Downtown Ghost and Cultural Walking Tour: $27
- Butterfly Sanctuary & Museum Guided Tour in Puerto Vallarta: $28
- Full-Day Puerto Vallarta City Highlights Tour: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $8.99Puerto Vallarta $21
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
- Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
- Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $55
- Wine Tasting and Local Specialties in Buenos Aires: $56
- Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $65
- Tango Lesson and Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires, Argentina: $65
- Classic Tiger Delta Navigation, City Tour and Wine Tasting: $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
- Private Malbec Wine Tasting Experience in Buenos Aires: $95
- Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $99
Sample the Local Flavors in Puerto Vallarta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Puerto Vallarta:
- Puerto Vallarta Pub Crawl: $22
- Premium Tequila Tasting Puerto Vallarta Distillery: $28
- Mexican Wine Tasting Experience: $50
- Mexican Wine Tasting & Aroma Sensory Experience: $60
- Brewery Bus Tour from Mexico: $85
- Cachasol Tequila Tasting & Raicilla Distillery Tour: $98
- Secret Agave Bar Crawl in Vallarta: $98
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Puerto Vallarta, we can see that Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Puerto Vallarta?
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Puerto Vallarta. When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Puerto Vallarta, 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.