A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Buenos Aires, Argentina vs. Tena for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Tena?

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 Tena 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 Tena?

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.

Tena

Tena is the capital of the Napo Province, an attractive and quiet city in the Amazon rainforest, and is known as the "cinnamon capital" of Ecuador. Tena has a friendly population, lots of backpacker infrastructure, a gorgeous setting surrounded by jungle-covered hills and a high concentration of surrounding rivers where white-water lovers from around the world come to paddle and kayak. The town provides a gateway to exploration into Ecuador's most accessible part of the great Amazon rainforest, which does not leave visitors disappointed. Beyond being a base for discovering the jungle and its wildlife, Tena is also a hub for adventure sports which are abundant in the area. Tena is a charming place where many travelers find themselves hanging around quite happily before or after a trip into the rainforest.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Argentina, The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, The Best G Adventures Tours to Colombia, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bogota.


Which place is cheaper, Tena 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 $10, while the average daily cost in Tena is $50. 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 Tena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $4.20
    Tena $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $8.40
    Tena $46
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Tena

Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina or Tena? 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 Tena


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $1.60
    Tena $16
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
    $0.14
  • Local Bus
    $0.00
  • Metro Ride
    $0.00
  • Taxi to airport
    $0.04
  • Taxi
    $0.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:

  • Ezeiza Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $40
  • Airport Transfer Buenos Aires (to/from Ezeiza & Aeroparque): $90
  • Airport Transfer: Buenos Aires to Jorge Newbery Airfield Airport (AEP): $43
  • Airport Transfer: Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) to Buenos Aires : $37
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Airport AEP to Buenos Aires in Business Car: $80
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Airport AEP to Buenos Aires in Luxury Car: $126
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Airport AEP to Buenos Aires in Luxury Van: $113
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Ezeiza Airport EZE to Buenos Aires: $110
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Ezeiza Airport EZE to Buenos Aires: $140
  • Arrival Transfer Ezeiza Airport EZE to Buenos Aires City by Sedan: $46
  • Best Tango Show with Private Transfer: $102
  • Buenos Aires Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) Private Transfer: $48

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tena

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tena:

  • Private Transfer from Villavieja to San Agustín: $150
  • Popayan to Cali Private Transfer: $272
  • Round trip transfer in Private Car from-to Palonegro Airport(BGA) to Bucaramanga: $29
  • Roundtrip transfer Private Car Medellin airport (MDE)- Guatape: $68
  • San Andres hotels to San Andres Airport (ADZ) Departure Transfer: $36
  • Transfer in Private Car from Bucaramanga Palonegro Airport (BGA) to Bucaramanga: $15
  • Transfer in Private Car from Medellin ariport (MDE)- Guatape: $34
  • Transfer in private minivan Medellin airport (MDE)- Guatape: $42

Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or Tena?

Prices for flights to both Tena 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 $3.30
    Tena $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:


  • Lunch
    $0.03
  • Cup of Coffee
    $0.01
  • Empandas
    $0.02
  • Espresso
    $0.01
  • Dinner (Pizza)
    $0.02
  • 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
    $0.17
  • Cake and Coffee
    $0.54
  • Dinner
    $1.91
  • Powerade
    $0.12
  • Lunch
    $0.85
  • Dinner
    $1.23
  • Chocolate
    $3.16

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 in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $35
  • Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class: $35
  • Tango Show and Optional Dinner at Esquina Homero Manzi: $37
  • Empanadas and Alfajores Cooking Experience in Buenos Aires: $39
  • Argentine Empanadas Private Virtual Cooking Class: $40
  • Private tour Argentinian Flavours food tours on foot : $44
  • Tango Dinner Show Homero Manzi menu Sur: $45
  • Private Walking Tour & Argentinian pizzas Tasting: $50
  • Skip the Line Ticket for Tango Porteño Show with Dinner : $53
  • Tango Porteño Show with Private Transfers (with optional dinner): $54
  • Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $54
  • Aljibe Earlier Tango Show Skip the Line Ticket W/Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $55

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $3.39
    Tena $14
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
    $0.59

Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Guided Walking Tour of Palermo Soho: $5.00
  • Heart of Colonial Buenos Aires Walking Audio Tour: $5.34
  • Urban Legends and Myths Tour of the Recoleta Cemetery: $6.00
  • Introduction to Argentina (Virtual Live Experience): $6.67
  • Tour in the Boca Neighborhood: $8.00
  • History of Tango (Virtual Live Experience): $8.00
  • The Life of Pope Francis in Argentina (Virtual Live Experience): $8.00
  • Buenos Aires Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Recoleta Cemetery Tour in English : $9.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $10
  • Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $10
  • Recoleta Cemetery Walking Tour: $10

Tours and Activities in Tena

Here are a few actual costs in Tena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Full Day Adventure to the Páramo de Ocetá from Mongui: $20
  • Colonial Guaduas Tour: $43
  • Unique experience flying paragliding: $50
  • Gastronomic Private Walking Tour in Popayán: $50
  • Popayan Gastronomic Wonders and City Tour: $63
  • Private Guided Tour to Piedra Colgada and Indian Face and Lagoon: $75
  • Coffee Tour Daytrip at Finca La Manchuria - Exclusive Experience.: $80
  • Tour to Puracé National Natural Park: $93
  • ATV Tour Bogotá : $120
  • Full Day Tour to Rock Paintings in Cerro Azul Guaviare: $130
  • Scuba Diving Private Tour in San Andres: $132
  • Enjoy a Coffee Tour & Santa Fe de Antioquia Colonial Town!!: $135

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $1.83
    Tena $10
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
    $0.68

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 at the Barolo Palace: $35
  • Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $38
  • Wine Tasting of Argentina's Most Classic and Popular Wines: $42
  • Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $55
  • Buenos Aires Premium Wine Tasting: $58
  • Buenos Aires Wine Tasting Tour: $65
  • Private Walking Tour & Argentine wine Tasting: $78
  • Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $79
  • Argentine Experience: Immersive 6 Course Menu with Wine Tasting : $98
  • Half-Day Nightlife Experience in Buenos Aires: Palermo Bar Crawl: $110
  • Bodega Gamboa Premium Wine Tasting with Lunch: $165
  • Wine Tour to Colonia Del Sacramento Uruguay: $168


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Tena, we can see that Tena 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 Tena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tena 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 Tena Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Tena?

Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 18790 times larger than the population of Tena. When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Tena, 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.