A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Buenos Aires, Argentina vs. San Pedro de Atacama for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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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.

Which city is cheaper, San Pedro de Atacama or Buenos Aires, Argentina?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $39, while the average daily cost in San Pedro de Atacama is $53. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Buenos Aires, Argentina and San Pedro de Atacama in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $16
    San Pedro de Atacama $29
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $32
    San Pedro de Atacama $58
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.

Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina


Hotels in San Pedro de Atacama


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $6.09
    San Pedro de Atacama $8.30
Typical Local Transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:


  • Taxi from Airport
    $0.64
  • Local Bus
    $0.01
  • Metro Ride
    $0.01
  • Taxi to airport
    $0.17
  • Taxi
    $0.45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro de Atacama

Also for San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 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
  • Transfer San Pedro de Atacama Hotels to El Loa Airport Shared Service: $26

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $13
    San Pedro de Atacama $13
Typical Food prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:


  • Lunch
    $0.12
  • Cup of Coffee
    $0.07
  • Empandas
    $0.09
  • Espresso
    $0.04
  • Dinner (Pizza)
    $0.07
  • Ice Cream
    $0.07
  • Breakfast at Airport
    $0.18
  • Dinner (Sandwiches)
    $0.05
  • Sweets
    $0.03
  • Hot Dog
    $0.04
  • Breakfast (Take-Away)
    $0.06
  • Lunch for 2
    $0.79
  • Cake and Coffee
    $2.56
  • Dinner
    $9.08
  • Powerade
    $0.56
  • Lunch
    $4.02
  • Dinner
    $5.86
  • Chocolate
    $15

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:


  • Empanadas
    $1.43
  • Lunch
    $12
  • Dinner
    $12
  • Drink
    $1.07
  • Empanada
    $5.95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $13
    San Pedro de Atacama $19
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:


  • Entry to Japanese Gardens (for 2)
    $0.18
  • Movie Ticket
    $0.08
  • Tango Class
    $0.14
  • Bar entrance
    $2.79

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:


  • Sand Boarding
    $63

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:

  • Half day Valle de la Luna, Afternoon Tour: $26
  • Moon Valley & Death Valley Tour from San Pedro de Atacama: $33
  • Geysers del Tatio Tour: $40
  • Valle del Arcoiris Tour: $40
  • Floating experience in the Hidden Lagoons (Lagunas Escondidas): $41
  • Small-Group Tour to Moon Valley from San Pedro de Atacama: $42
  • Astronomical Tour: $42
  • Puritama Springs - Half Day Tour - San Pedro de Atacama - Typical Tour: $44
  • Atacama Desert Stargazing Tour: $44
  • Moon Valley Tour - Half Day Tour: $45
  • Small-Group tour to Laguna Cejar, Ojos del Salar and Laguna Tebinquinche: $46
  • Astronomic tour: $47

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $6.97
    San Pedro de Atacama $4.48
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:


  • Beer
    $0.06
  • Beer (0.66L)
    $0.09
  • Cocktail
    $0.15
  • Alcohol
    $3.21

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:


  • Alcohol
    $28

About these numbers

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.

Budget Your Trip

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Buenos Aires, Argentina vs. San Pedro de Atacama Travel Comparison

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