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 $55Santa Marta $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $55, while the average daily cost in Santa Marta is $48. 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 $39Santa Marta $17
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $78Santa Marta $34
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: Santa Marta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.04Santa Marta $6.34
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 from Buenos Aires Cruise Terminal to International Airport (EZE): $130
- Transfer between airports (EZE-AEP): $85
- Transfer Van 6 pax Airport Pistarini Buenos Aires to Hotel Port: $170
- Transfer Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE) to Downtown Hotel: $115
- Transfer Airports-Cruise Port: $190
- Tango Show in Tango Porteño - no transfers -: $47
- Tango Show in Aljibe - No transfers: $75
- Tango Show La Ventana only show exclusive with transfer: $96
- Tango Show El Querandí No Transfers: $110
- Tango Porteño Show With Private Transfers From Port & Hotels In Buenos Aires: $85
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Marta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Marta:
-
Gas$6.31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Marta
Also for Santa Marta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport to Zona Rodadero and Pozos Colorados – One-Way Transfer: $24
- Arrival or Departure Transfer: Simón Bolívar Airport: $14
- Boat transfer to Parque Tayrona Cabo San Juan: $82
- Cartagena to or from Santa Marta Private Transfer: $178
- Exclusive transfer Santa Marta - Cartagena: $229
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Simon Bolivar Airport: $13
- Private Door-to-Door Transfer from Santa Marta to Cartagena: $176
- Private Transfer Santa Marta to Palomino (or vice versa): $154
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Airport (SMR): $16
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Airport SMR to Santa Marta Port: $14
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Cartagena hotels: $209
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Santa Marta city: $68
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 $7.37Santa Marta $21
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: $26
- Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $36
- Tango Show at Tango Porteño with Optional Dinner: $37
- Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $39
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
- Madero Tango Dinner Show: $40
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $43
- BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Tasting in Palermo: $43
- BA: Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Palermo: $43
- Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $44
- Early Tango Dinner Show in Buenos Aires: $46
- BA: Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $46
Typical Food Prices in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Breakfast$3.78
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
- Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City: $69
- SamarioCaribeño Chef's Table Cooking Lesson and Breakfast: $87
- Flavors of Colombia - Santa Marta Street Food Tour: $151
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $30Santa Marta $17
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ! Explore Corrientes Ave at Night! Walking Tour 100% Individual: $22
- Único tour sobre la Historia del Tango (sin mitos): $60
- "SAILING TOUR: Tango and Choripan (typical Argentine food): $300
- 1-Hour Catamaran Cruise in the Tiger Delta: $19
- 2 Hour Tour in Buenos Aires Parisina: $43
- 2 Hours Football and Street Art Walking Tour in Buenos Aires: $30
- 3 Hours Private Street Art Tour in La Boca and Barracas: $45
- 3 Hours Ultimate Buenos Aires Bar Tour: $34
- 5hs Small Group City Tour of Buenos Aires (Optional Street Food): $54
- @argentinahighlights City LGBTQ tour: $150
- A Back-Street Beer Brewing Tour of Buenos Aires: $165
- Architectural tour of Buenos Aires: $35
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: $8.80
- Mariposario Sierra Nevada Entry Ticket: $8.97
- Tour in Chiva Rumbera Music Party and Fun in Santa Marta: $15
- A Pearl In The Caribbean-walking tour in English: $18
- Santa Marta Graffiti Tour: Urban Art & Culture: $18
- Patrimonial Walking Tour: Hidden Stories of Santa Marta: $18
- Full City of Santa Marta Tour and its Charms: $18
- BE RELAX TOUR - Bahia Concha: $22
- Panoramic city tour does not include tickets: $24
- SANTAMARTA: Panoramic History and Culture City Tour by Chiva: $25
- Town Tour in Minca: History, Museums & Nature: $25
- Historic Center Bike Sightseeing Tour with a Local Guide: $25
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $8.99Santa Marta $8.07
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
- Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
- Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $55
- Wine Tasting and Local Specialties in Buenos Aires: $56
- Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $65
- Tango Lesson and Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires, Argentina: $65
- Classic Tiger Delta Navigation, City Tour and Wine Tasting: $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
- Private Malbec Wine Tasting Experience in Buenos Aires: $95
- Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $99
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$0.69
-
Beer$2.84
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:
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Santa Marta, Colombia: $30
- Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Santa Marta, Colombia: $30
- Bar Crawl In Santa Marta: $191
When comparing the travel costs between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santa Marta, we can see that Buenos Aires, Argentina is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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.