Which place is cheaper, Santa Marta or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Argentina, The Best Camping Tours in Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Colombia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $9.74Santa Marta $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $9.74, while the average daily cost in Santa Marta is $30. 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 $3.92Santa Marta $13
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $7.84Santa Marta $26
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 $1.49Santa Marta $4.92
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$0.13
-
Local Bus$0.00
-
Metro Ride$0.00
-
Taxi to airport$0.03
-
Taxi$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- Transfer from Ezeiza Airport to Buenos Aires City - ROUND TRIP: $266
- Transfer from EZEIZA or AEP Airport + Private City Tour: $210
- Transfer from Buenos Aires Port to Buenos Aires Int Airport (EZE): $52
- Transfer from Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE) to Cruise Terminal: $80
- Transfer from Buenos Aires Int Airport (EZE) to Buenos Aires Port: $52
- Transfer between airports (EZE-AEP): $75
- Transfer Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE) to Downtown Hotel: $68
- Transfer Buenos Aires Domestic (AEP) or Cruise Terminal to Downtown Hotel : $44
- Transfer Airports-City Tours-Connections between airports-Airport Transfers //: $110
- Tango Show in Aljibe - No transfers: $75
- Tango Show La Ventana only show exclusive with transfer: $76
- Tango Porteño Show With Private Transfers From Port & Hotels In Buenos Aires: $70
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Marta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Marta:
-
Gas$4.90
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
- Barranquilla / Santa Marta Transfer: $231
- Cartagena / Santa Marta Transfer: $321
- Cartagena to Santa Marta (or vice versa) Private Transfer: $265
- Cartagena to Santa Marta (or vice versa) Private Transfer: $265
- Cartagena to or from Santa Marta Private Transfer: $138
- Exclusive transfer Santa Marta - Cartagena: $229
- Exclusive transfer Santa Marta Airport - Tayrona Park Sector: $64
- Private Airport Transfer: From Santa Marta Airport to Hotel in Santa Marta: $25
- Private Transfer Santa Marta to Palomino (or vice versa): $121
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Airport to Santa Marta Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Cartagena hotels: $70
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 $3.08Santa Marta $9.36
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$0.02
-
Cup of Coffee$0.01
-
Empandas$0.02
-
Espresso$0.01
-
Dinner (Pizza)$0.01
-
Ice Cream$0.01
-
Breakfast at Airport$0.04
-
Dinner (Sandwiches)$0.01
-
Sweets$0.01
-
Hot Dog$0.01
-
Breakfast (Take-Away)$0.01
-
Lunch for 2$0.16
-
Cake and Coffee$0.50
-
Dinner$1.78
-
Powerade$0.11
-
Lunch$0.79
-
Dinner$1.15
-
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 Show and Optional Dinner at Esquina Homero Manzi: $35
- Premium Empanadas Cooking Class in Buenos Aires: $39
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
- Argentine Empanadas Private Virtual Cooking Class: $40
- Tango Dinner Show Homero Manzi menu Sur: $45
- Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Buenos Aires: $45
- Piazzolla Tango Show with Optional Dinner: $45
- Private tour Argentinian Flavours food tours on foot : $46
- La Ventana Tango Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $46
- Catulo Tango: Tango Show & Folklore with Optional Dinner: $47
- Empanadas and Alfajores Cooking Experience in Buenos Aires: $49
- Premium Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Tasting Experience: $49
Typical Food Prices in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Breakfast$2.94
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 Walking Food Tour: $40
- Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City Half-Day : $66
- Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City: $73
- Flavors of Colombia - Santa Marta Street Food Tour: $93
- Santa Marta Street Food Tour: $93
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $3.16Santa Marta $13
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)$0.04
-
Movie Ticket$0.02
-
Tango Class$0.03
-
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:
- Experience the Night of Buenos Aires with electric bikes: $47
- Premium Buenos Aires by Night Small-Group City Tour: $59
- Small Group Walking Tour: Urban Art Palermo: $50
- 2 hrs. Walking Tour in San Telmo & Market : $10
- 3 hours Private La Boca Street Art Walking Tour: $127
- 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
- 8-Hour Tour of the South Bank of the Río de la Plata: $200
- A Back-Street Beer Brewing Tour of Buenos Aires: $137
Tours and Activities in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Skip the Line: Santa Marta Marine World Aquarium Admission Ticket and Guide: $6.67
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: the Pearl of America: $6.99
- Old Town, Harbour & Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.60
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Botanical Garden: $10
- Cultural Heritage Tour Santa Marta: $15
- Unmissable City Tour by bicycle through Santa Marta: $16
- 7-Hour Tour to Playa Blanca in Santa Marta: $16
- BE RELAX TOUR - Bahia Concha: $22
- CACAO FOREST TOUR: $28
- Horse Riding at La Mello Adventure Lodge: $35
- Santa Marta Food Experience: $39
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $1.71Santa Marta $6.27
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$0.01
-
Beer (0.66L)$0.02
-
Cocktail$0.03
-
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:
- Buenos Aires Pub Crawl: Techno Night: $22
- Wine tasting at the Barolo Palace: $35
- Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $42
- Wine Tasting at Downtown Buenos Aires Ego Experience: $42
- Wine Tasting of Argentina's Most Classic and Popular Wines: $42
- Unique Wine Tasting in a Boutique Hotel : $45
- Tango Lesson and Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires, Argentina: $48
- Wine tour with 5 tastings in the heart of Buenos Aires: $49
- Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending Experience: $55
- Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
- Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $55
- Private argentinian wine tasting in downtown : $56
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$0.54
-
Beer$2.21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santa Marta, we can see that Santa Marta 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 Santa Marta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Marta 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 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.