Which place is cheaper, Santa Marta 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Santa Marta?
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 Santa Marta 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 Santa Marta?
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.
Santa Marta
Santa Marta is a city in the Magdalena Department of Colombia's Costa Norte. Over the last decade, security has steadily been replacing the shadow of the Colombia's violent past. One destination in Colombia's northeast region is now attracting more international visitors: the coastal Caribbean area of Santa Marta. Established in 1525 by the Spanish as a base of conquest, Santa Marta sits at the foot of the world's highest coastal mountain range, the towering Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. It is South America's oldest European-founded town and the second most important colonial city on Colombia's Caribbean coast. While many travelers complain about Santa Marta's horrible traffic and unsightly urban sprawl, the city holds a numerous amounts of great hotels, bars and restaurants and holds a few fantastic destinations nearby to which you can go during the daytime.
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 Eco Tours in Colombia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Colombia.
-
Buenos Aires, Argentina Prices
Argentina PricesSanta Marta Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $59Santa Marta $41
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $59, while the average daily cost in Santa Marta is $41. 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 Santa Marta in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuenos Aires, Argentina $42Santa Marta $14
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $84Santa Marta $28
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santa Marta
Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina or Santa Marta? 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 Santa Marta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.20Santa Marta $5.45
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): $109
- Transfer from Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE) to Cruise Terminal: $137
- Transfer from Buenos Aires Int Airport (EZE) to Buenos Aires Port: $72
- Transfer from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery to your Hotel in Buenos Aires: $40
- Transfer VIP airport EZEIZA (EZE) Buenos Aires: $67
- Transfer Buenos Aires Downtown Hotel to Domestic (AEP) or Cruise Terminal: $80
- Transfer Airports-Cruise Port: $190
- Temaiken Biopark Tour with Transfer Included: $95
- Tango Show in Tango Porteño - no transfers -: $47
- Tango Show in El Querandí With Transfers: $89
- Tango Show in Catullo Without Transfer: $28
- Tango Show in Aljibe - No transfers: $75
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Marta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Marta:
-
Gas$5.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Marta
Also for Santa Marta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival or Departure Transfer: Simón Bolívar Airport: $13
- Cartagena to or from Santa Marta Private Transfer: $159
- Exclusive transfer Santa Marta - Cartagena: $229
- Exclusive transfer Santa Marta Airport - Tayrona Park Sector: $64
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Simon Bolivar Airport: $13
- Private Transfer Santa Marta to Palomino (or vice versa): $154
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Airport SMR to Santa Marta Port: $14
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Cartagena hotels: $219
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Santa Marta city: $14
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Santa Marta city: $71
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Port to Santa Marta Airport SMR: $71
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Port to Santa Marta Airport SMR: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or Santa Marta?
Prices for flights to both Santa Marta 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 dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $7.95Santa Marta $18
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: $28
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
- BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $39
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $41
- Madero Tango Dance Show with Dinner on Demand: $42
- BA: Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Palermo: $43
- Tango Show at Tango Porteño with Optional Dinner: $44
- Early Tango Dinner Show with Optional Traditional Bus Transfer: $46
- El Viejo Almacen Tango Show with Optional Dinner and Transfers: $47
- El Aljibe Tango Show in Buenos Aires with Optional Dinner: $47
- Skip-the-Line El Viejo Almacen Tango Show with optional Dinner & Transfers: $48
- Chacarita Walking Tour - Spooky Cemetery, History & Pizza: $49
Typical Food Prices in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Breakfast$3.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide: $39
- Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City Half-Day: $65
- Santa Marta Walking Food Tour: $65
- Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City: $76
- Santa Marta Street Food Tour: $93
- Flavors of Colombia - Santa Marta Street Food Tour: $114
- Fast Food Tour In Santa Marta More Than Just Food: $120
- Upscale Food Tour in A Culinary Journey: $155
- Fast Food Tour with Local Guide: $155
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $32Santa Marta $14
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 Ultimate Buenos Aires Bar Tour: $34
- 3 hours Private La Boca Street Art Walking Tour: $160
- @argentinahighlights City LGBTQ tour: $150
- A Local's Grill: Hidden Tigre Island Experience - Grill & Wine: $120
- Adventure in Parque de la Costa: $95
- Architectural tour of Buenos Aires: $35
- Argentina Polo Experience by La Guapeada Polo: $267
- Argentine Asado by Maru. Private experience in Buenos Aires: $140
- Argentine Football Graffiti of Messi and Maradona Tour: $120
Tours and Activities in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: the Pearl of America: $7.49
- Skip the Line: Santa Marta Marine World Aquarium Admission Ticket and Guide: $8.80
- Tour in Chiva Rumbera Music Party and Fun in Santa Marta: $15
- A Pearl In The Caribbean-walking tour in English: $16
- Santa Marta Graffiti Tour: Urban Art & Culture: $16
- Patrimonial Walking Tour: Hidden Stories of Santa Marta: $16
- Complete Tour of the City of Santa Marta and its Charms: $17
- Historic Center Bike Tour: $20
- Full City of Santa Marta Tour and its Charms: $20
- Town Tour in Minca: History, Museums & Nature: $20
- BE RELAX TOUR - Bahia Concha: $22
- Bike tour with local guide through the historic center: $23
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $9.69Santa Marta $6.94
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:
- Exclusive Malbec Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $42
- BA: Wine Tasting and Blending Experience in Palermo: $51
- BA: Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending in Palermo: $54
- Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
- Malbec Wine Tasting at Boutique Hotel in Palermo: $59
- Wine Tasting at Encuentro Nativo a Historic Tenement in Caminito: $60
- Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $65
- Tango Lesson and Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires, Argentina: $65
- Wine Tasting and Tapas with Expert Sommelier in Buenos Aires: $70
- BA: Wine tour with 5 tasting stops in the heart of Palermo: $78
- Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $85
- Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $94
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Marta
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santa Marta from other travelers:
-
Beer$0.60
-
Beer$2.44
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Marta
Also in Santa Marta, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Santa Marta, Colombia: $24
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Santa Marta, Colombia: $25
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Santa Marta, Colombia: $25
- Bar Crawl In Santa Marta: $125
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santa Marta, we can see that Buenos Aires, Argentina is more expensive. And not only is Santa Marta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Marta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Marta 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 Santa Marta.
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 Santa Marta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Santa Marta?
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Santa Marta. When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santa Marta, 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.