Which place is cheaper, San Pedro de Atacama 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 San Pedro de Atacama?
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 San Pedro de Atacama 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 San Pedro de Atacama?
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.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina Prices
Argentina PricesSan Pedro de Atacama Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $55San Pedro de Atacama $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $55, while the average daily cost in San Pedro de Atacama is $67. 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 San Pedro de Atacama in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuenos Aires, Argentina $39San Pedro de Atacama $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $78San Pedro de Atacama $62
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and San Pedro de Atacama
Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina or San Pedro de Atacama? 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: San Pedro de Atacama Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.04San Pedro de Atacama $8.81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Buenos Aires HTL-APT (EZE): $75
- Transfer from Buenos Aires Port to Buenos Aires Int Airport (EZE): $70
- Transfer between airports (EZE-AEP): $85
- Transfer Van 6 pax Airport Pistarini Buenos Aires to Hotel Port: $170
- Transfer Buenos Aires Downtown Hotel to Domestic (AEP) or Cruise Terminal: $62
- Transfer Airports-Cruise Port: $190
- Ticket Museum and Stadium Express Boca Juniors With Transfers: $85
- Temaiken Biopark Tour with Transfer Included: $95
- Tango Show in Tango Porteño - no transfers -: $47
- Tango Show in Catullo Without Transfer: $27
- Tango Show in Aljibe - No transfers: $75
- Tango Show El Querandí No Transfers: $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:
- 3 Perfect Days in Atacama + Airport Transfer: $280
- 3 Perfect Days in Atacama + Transfer: $280
- Astronomy tour in San Pedro de Atacama includes transfer, photo, and cocktail: $59
- Atacama Airport Shuttle Transfer: $33
- Calama Airport Transfer to Atacama / Airport Lodging: $70
- Calama Airport: Transfer to/from San Pedro de Atacama: $30
- Private Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. without waiting: $89
- Private transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama City: $190
- Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer: $45
- Puritama Hot Springs Transfer Tour: $39
- Tatio Geysers W/Breakfast & Transfer: $90
- Shared Transfer to Calama Airport (CJC): $41
Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or San Pedro de Atacama?
Prices for flights to both San Pedro de Atacama 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 $7.36San Pedro de Atacama $24
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: $33
- Piazzolla Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $35
- 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
- BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Tasting in Palermo: $43
- Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $44
- Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $45
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $45
- BA: Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $46
- Early Tango Dinner Show in Buenos Aires: $46
- El Aljibe Tango Show in Buenos Aires with Optional Dinner: $47
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$1.21
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Lunch$10
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Dinner$11
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Drink$0.91
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Empanada$5.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Dinner Under the Stars: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $29San Pedro de Atacama $20
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Único tour sobre la Historia del Tango (sin mitos): $60
- "SAILING TOUR: Tango and Choripan (typical Argentine food): $300
- 2 Hour Tour in Buenos Aires Parisina: $43
- 3 Hours Private Street Art Tour in La Boca and Barracas: $45
- 3 Hours Ultimate Buenos Aires Bar Tour: $34
- 3 hours Private La Boca Street Art Walking Tour: $160
- 5 Hour Private Driving and Walking Tour of Buenos Aires: $185
- 5 Stops Walking Tour of Buenos Aires hidden Wineries: $82
- @argentinahighlights City LGBTQ tour: $150
- A Back-Street Beer Brewing Tour of Buenos Aires: $165
- Adventure in Parque de la Costa: $95
- Architectural tour of Buenos Aires: $35
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:
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Sand Boarding$54
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:
- Astronomical Tour: $29
- Llama Stargazing Tour: $30
- Stargazing experience: $30
- Stargazing Experience: $30
- Half-Day Tour to Laguna Cejar: $35
- Shared Valle de la Luna Sightseeing Tour: $35
- Astronomical Tour Exploring the Cosmos: $35
- Stargazing Tour with Photos & Drinks: $37
- Tour to the Valley of the Moon San Pedro de Atacama: $37
- San Pedro de Atacama Archaeological Sightseeing Tour: $37
- Cejar Lagoon Tour: San Pedro de Atacama: $38
- Traditional Ethnoastronomy Experience: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $8.98San Pedro de Atacama $4.75
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
- Buenos Aires Full City Tour with Wine Tasting and Stops: $47
- Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
- Wine Tasting and Local Specialties in Buenos Aires: $56
- Argentine Wine Tasting with Lunch or Charcuterie Pairings: $59
- Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of 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
- Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $85
- Malbec Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires Private Experience: $92
- Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $94
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:
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Alcohol$24
Sample the Local Flavors in San Pedro de Atacama
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Pedro de Atacama:
- Atacama: Stargazing Tour with Photos and Wine Tasting: $50
- “Drunken Llama Sightseeing Tour” Wine Tasting and Visit with Llama: $355
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and San Pedro de Atacama, we can see that San Pedro de Atacama 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 San Pedro de Atacama would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Pedro de Atacama 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 San Pedro de Atacama Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or San Pedro de Atacama?
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 6540 times larger than the population of San Pedro de Atacama. When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina and San Pedro de Atacama, 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.