Which place 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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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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Argentina, The Best Camping Tours in Argentina, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $9.74San Pedro de Atacama $60
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $9.74, while the average daily cost in San Pedro de Atacama is $60. 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 $3.92San Pedro de Atacama $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $7.84San Pedro de Atacama $66
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: Buenos Aires, Argentina Hotel Prices and San Pedro de Atacama Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $1.49San Pedro de Atacama $9.37
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$0.13
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Local Bus$0.00
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Metro Ride$0.00
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Taxi to airport$0.03
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Taxi$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- Transfer Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE) to Downtown Hotel: $68
- Transfer Buenos Aires Downtown Hotel transfer to International Airport (EZE): $68
- Tango Show La Ventana only show exclusive with transfer: $76
- Tango Porteño Show With Private Transfers From Port & Hotels In Buenos Aires: $70
- Soccer Match in Buenos Aires with Transfers and Local Guide: $201
- Small Group Buenos Aires City Tour and Airport Transfer Combo: $172
- Shore Excursion: Rojo Tango Show Including Private Transfers: $250
- Rojo Tango Show Ticket with Private Transfers From Port & Hotels in Buenos Aires: $229
- Querandi Tango show Vip with private transfer: $210
- Private transfer of connection between airports AEROPARQUE / EZEIZA or vice versa: $74
- Private transfer from or to Jorge Newbery Airport "Aeroparque": $46
- Private transfer from or to Ezeiza International Airport: $60
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 + Transfer: $250
- Atacama Airport Shuttle Transfer: $34
- Calama Airport Transfer to Atacama / Airport Lodging: $60
- Calama Airport: Shared Transfer to/from San Pedro de Atacama: $30
- Direct Transfer Atacama to Uyuni: $128
- Private transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama City: $190
- Puritama Thermal Transfer: $46
- Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer: $36
- Stargazing Experience with Transfer: $36
- Shared Departure Transfer: San Pedro de Atacama Hotels to El Loa Airport: $31
- Shared Transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama Airport: $29
- Transfer to the Puritama Hot Springs: $60
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 $3.08San Pedro de Atacama $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:
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Lunch$0.02
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Cup of Coffee$0.01
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Empandas$0.02
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Espresso$0.01
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Dinner (Pizza)$0.01
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Ice Cream$0.01
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Breakfast at Airport$0.04
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Dinner (Sandwiches)$0.01
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Sweets$0.01
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Hot Dog$0.01
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Breakfast (Take-Away)$0.01
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Lunch for 2$0.16
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Cake and Coffee$0.50
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Dinner$1.78
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Powerade$0.11
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Lunch$0.79
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Dinner$1.15
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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 Porteño Show with Optional Dinner and Tango Class: $39
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
- Tango Show and Optional Dinner at Esquina Homero Manzi: $42
- La Ventana Tango Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $46
- Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $46
- Tango Show and Dinner at: Tango Porteño: $54
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $54
- Mansion Tango Show And Dinner: $55
- El Aljibe Tango Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $55
- Private Walking Tour & Argentinian pizzas Tasting: $58
- Tango Show @ El Querandi with Optional Dinner: $59
- Early Tango Dinner Show with Semi Private Transfer: $59
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$1.29
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Lunch$11
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Dinner$11
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Drink$0.97
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Empanada$5.37
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:
- Tasting menu dinner of local haute cuisine: $135
- Private Dinner Under the Stars: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $3.16San Pedro de Atacama $21
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:
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Entry to Japanese Gardens (for 2)$0.04
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Movie Ticket$0.02
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Tango Class$0.03
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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:
- 2x1: Día de Campo + Tour Nocturno en Buenos Aires: $220
- Experience the Night of Buenos Aires with electric bikes: $47
- 3-Hour Bike Tour Getting to Know the Best of Buenos Aires: $35
- 3-Hour Private Street Art Tour in La Boca and Barraca: $45
- 3-Hour Tour in Buenos Aires Parisian: $45
- 5hs Small Group City Tour of Buenos Aires (optional street food): $35
- 8 Hours Guided Bike Tour in Delta El Tigre: $140
- A Back-Street Beer Brewing Tour of Buenos Aires: $137
- Argentina Motorcycle tour Paseo Costanera Buenos Aires: $40
- Argentine Football Graffiti of Messi and Maradona Tour: $85
- Arrival by Luxury Van Buenos Aires Cruise Port to Buenos Aires: $58
- BA Bike Tour: Elegance & Inequality Unveiled (Max. 6 People): $57
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$57
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 Experience in San Pedro de Atacama: $35
- Stargazing Tour in the Atacama Desert: $36
- Tour to the Valley of the Moon San Pedro de Atacama: $38
- Tour Compartido Valle de la Luna: $38
- Astronomical Tour with Guide and Pick Up San Pedro de Atacama: $39
- Stargazing Tour with Astronomer in San Pedro de Atacama: $40
- From Rainbow Valley Half-Day Tour: $41
- Tour to Vallecito and Magic Bus: $42
- Astronomical Experience with Astrophotography in Atacama: $42
- Astronomical Tour: $42
- Astronomical tour in San Pedro de Atacama in a small group: $43
- 6-hour tour to Valle del Arcoíris: $44
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $1.71San Pedro de Atacama $5.05
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$0.01
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Beer (0.66L)$0.02
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Cocktail$0.03
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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:
- Wine Tasting and Tapas with Expert Sommelier in Buenos Aires: $40
- Wine Tasting at Downtown Buenos Aires Ego Experience: $42
- Wine Tasting of Argentina's Most Classic and Popular Wines: $42
- Tango Lesson and Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires, Argentina: $48
- BA: Wine tour with 5 tastings stops in the heart of Palermo: $49
- Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
- Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $55
- BA: Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending in Palermo: $55
- Buenos Aires Premium Wine Tasting: $58
- Bodega Gamboa Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $85
- Bodega Gamboa Premium Wine Tasting with Lunch: $85
- Argentine Experience: Immersive 6 Course Menu with Wine Tasting : $98
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$25
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.