A Travel Price Comparison for Argentina Buenos Aires, Argentina vs. Tilcara for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Tilcara?

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 Tilcara 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 Tilcara?

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.

Tilcara

Tilcara signifies shooting star in Quechua. At 2465m of altitude, the little town of Tilcara is one of the most animated place of the area of the quebrada de humahuaca. Many South American backpackers and tourists from all around the world come to visit Tilcara and its pucara, the forteresse built by the Incas at the top of the hill, providing a stunning walk around the town. Tilcara hosts many festivals for different occasions such as the celebration of the Pachamama in August, the semana santa (Holy Week) in April, and the Enero Tilcareno, held in January as its name indicates, which is probably the busiest month of the year for the little town. If you enjoy concerts, parades and folklorique parties then definitely try to visit Tilcara during a festival month and avoid them if you prefer a calm and more relaxed holiday. There are many available activities around Tilcara including horseback riding, VTT, and you could also even try a ride in a caravan pulled by llamas.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Tilcara 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.

  • Buenos Aires, Argentina Prices
    Argentina Prices
    Tilcara Prices
    Argentina Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $55
    Tilcara $76

The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $55, while the average daily cost in Tilcara is $76. 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 Tilcara in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $39
    Tilcara $62
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $78
    Tilcara $124
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Tilcara

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


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.06
    Tilcara $3.03

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

  • Shore Excursion: Full Day City Tour & Airport Transfer: $269
  • Rojo Tango Show Buenos Aires with Transfer Options: $265
  • Gaucho Day: Estancia with Private Transfer: $264
  • Rojo Tango Show Including Private Transfers: $260
  • Gaucho Day: Areco Town & Estancia with Private Transfer: $249
  • Horseback Riding Experience in Carlos Keen with Transfers: $233
  • Airport Transfer (EZEIZA o AEP) + Private Buenos Aires City Tour: $219
  • Personalized Airport Transfers in Buenos Aires: $200
  • Buenos Aires Private Tour + Transfer to Airport: $199
  • Transfer Airports-Cruise Port: $190
  • Private transfer from EZE Airport to Federal Capital by arrangement: $188
  • Transfer Van 6 pax Airport Pistarini Buenos Aires to Hotel Port: $170

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tilcara

Also for Tilcara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Quebrada de Humahuaca Solar Train: Ticket and Transfer: $170

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

Prices for flights to both Tilcara 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 $7.44
    Tilcara $7.26

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.

  • Argentine Cooking, Wine & Beef Tasting at Argentine Experience: $30
  • Piazzolla Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $35
  • Tango Show at Tango Porteño with Optional Dinner: $37
  • Madero Tango Dance Show with Dinner on Demand: $42
  • 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: $45
  • Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $45
  • Early Tango Dinner Show with Optional Traditional Bus Transfer: $46
  • El Aljibe Tango Show in Buenos Aires with Optional Dinner: $47
  • Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner and Tango Lesson: $48
  • Tango Dinner-Show at El Aljibe with Optional Classic Bus Transfer: $48

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tilcara

For Tilcara, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Northern Argentine cooking experience: $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $30
    Tilcara $22

Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

  • "SAILING TOUR: Tango and Choripan (typical Argentine food): $300
  • 1-Hour Catamaran Cruise in the Tiger Delta: $22
  • 2 Hour Tour in Buenos Aires Parisina: $43
  • 3 Hours Private Street Art Tour in La Boca and Barracas: $45
  • 5 Hour Private Driving and Walking Tour of Buenos Aires: $167
  • 5 Stops Walking Tour of Buenos Aires hidden Wineries: $82
  • Architectural tour of Buenos Aires: $35
  • Argentine Football Graffiti of Messi and Maradona Tour: $120
  • Argentine Wine Experience Aperitivo Three Glasses and Tapas: $59
  • Argentine Women Bike Tour: $45
  • Argentinian Cocktail Experience in Palermo to Mix and Connect: $54
  • Asado Experience at Parrilla Don Julio: $225

Tours and Activities in Tilcara

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tilcara.

  • 2 hours cycling tour trough the rural area: $40
  • Purmamarca Night Experience: $46
  • Bike Adventure through Juella with lunch: $70
  • Salinas Grandes and Humahuaca Solar Train Tour from Purmamarca: $90
  • From Salta: Tour to Humahuaca + Hornocal "Route of Colors and Heights": $128
  • Full-Day Tour to Laguna de los Pozuelos from Tilcara: $255

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Buenos Aires, Argentina $9.08
    Tilcara $4.77

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 Full City Tour with Wine Tasting and Stops: $47
  • Argentine Wine Tasting with Lunch or Charcuterie Pairings: $59
  • Wine Tasting and Tapas with Expert Sommelier in Buenos Aires: $65
  • Tango Lesson and Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires, Argentina: $65
  • Empanadas & Argentine wine tour: $74
  • BA: Wine tour with 5 tasting stops in the heart of Palermo: $78
  • Private Malbec Wine Tasting Experience in Buenos Aires: $95
  • Porteño Small Group Food and Wine Tour with Local Tastings: $120
  • Buenos Aires Wine Tasting Tour: $129
  • Buenos Aires Premium Wine Tasting & Gastronomy Experience: $134
  • Upscale Asado & Wine Tasting Experience (BBQ): $150
  • Bodega Gamboa Premium Wine Tasting with Lunch: $159


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


Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Tilcara?

Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 2320 times larger than the population of Tilcara. When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Tilcara, 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.