Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or San Pedro de Atacama?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Buenos Aires, Argentina and San Pedro de Atacama 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.
San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama is a gateway to northern Chile. It is a good jumping off point for exploring the area's impressive landscape, most of which is included in the Los Flamencos National Reserve. It is popular with both Chilean and international tourists, and because of its popularity, it is a relatively expensive destination, with many prices comparable to what you might pay in Santiago.
Which city is cheaper, San Pedro de Atacama 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
$75
San Pedro de Atacama
$61
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $75, while the average daily cost in San Pedro de Atacama is $61. 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 San Pedro de Atacama in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $60. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
For a normal double-occupancy room in San Pedro de Atacama, $66 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in San Pedro de Atacama, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $33, such as in a hostel.
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Accommodation
Hotel or hostel for one person
Buenos Aires, Argentina $30
San Pedro de Atacama $33
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Accommodation
Typical double-occupancy room
Buenos Aires, Argentina
$60
San Pedro de Atacama
$66
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.
Food in San Pedro de Atacama costs travelers about $15 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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
-
Dinner (Pizza)
$0.14
-
Ice Cream
$0.13
-
Breakfast at Airport
$0.34
-
Dinner (Sandwiches)
$0.10
-
Sweets
$0.06
-
Hot Dog
$0.07
-
Breakfast (Take-Away)
$0.12
-
Lunch for 2
$1.50
-
Cake and Coffee
$4.84
-
Dinner
$17
-
Powerade
$1.06
-
Lunch
$7.61
-
Dinner
$11
-
Chocolate
$28
Typical Food prices in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Empanadas
$1.66
-
Lunch
$14
-
Dinner
$14
-
Drink
$1.24
-
Empanada
$6.90
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Buenos Aires, Argentina is $12 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.
San Pedro de Atacama's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $9.64 per person, per day on transportation in San Pedro de Atacama.
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Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Buenos Aires, Argentina $12
San Pedro de Atacama $9.64
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
$1.22
-
Local Bus
$0.03
-
Metro Ride
$0.02
-
Taxi to airport
$0.32
-
Taxi
$0.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro de Atacama
Also for San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Atacama Airport Private Transfer:
$93
-
Atacama Airport Shuttle Transfer:
$30
-
Private transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama City:
$115
-
Shared Transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama Airport:
$25
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Transfer San Pedro de Atacama Hotels to El Loa Airport Shared Service:
$26
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.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in San Pedro de Atacama can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $22 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
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Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
Buenos Aires, Argentina $24
San Pedro de Atacama $22
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:
Typical Entertainment prices in San Pedro de Atacama
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro de Atacama's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Half day Valle de la Luna, Afternoon Tour:
$26
-
Sandboarding Adventure in Death Valley:
$29
-
Moon Valley & Death Valley Tour from San Pedro de Atacama:
$33
-
Geysers del Tatio Tour:
$40
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Valle del Arcoiris Tour:
$40
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Floating experience in the Hidden Lagoons (Lagunas Escondidas):
$41
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Small-Group Tour to Moon Valley from San Pedro de Atacama:
$42
-
Astronomical Tour:
$42
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Puritama Springs - Half Day Tour - San Pedro de Atacama - Typical Tour:
$44
-
Atacama Desert Stargazing Tour:
$44
-
Moon Valley Tour - Half Day Tour:
$45
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Small-Group tour to Laguna Cejar, Ojos del Salar and Laguna Tebinquinche:
$46
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 San Pedro de Atacama spend on average $5.20 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
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Alcohol
Drinks for one day
Buenos Aires, Argentina $13
San Pedro de Atacama $5.20
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
$0.11
-
Beer (0.66L)
$0.18
-
Cocktail
$0.27
-
Alcohol
$6.08
Typical Alcohol prices in San Pedro de Atacama
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in San Pedro de Atacama:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and San Pedro de Atacama, we can see that Buenos Aires, Argentina is more expensive. And not only is San Pedro de Atacama much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Pedro de Atacama would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Pedro de Atacama 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 San Pedro de Atacama.
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