Should I Visit La Plata or El Calafate for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit La Plata or El Calafate?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between La Plata and El Calafate can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: La Plata or El Calafate?

La Plata

Just over an hour from Buenos Aires, the bustling university city of La Plata is notable for being South America's first planned city. Indeed, also known as the City of Diagonal, La Plata's intricate grid system includes diagonal streets that run through it, contributing to easy navigation but confusing intersections.La Plata is the Capital of the Province of Buenos Aires, the main Argentine state, so you will find lots of elaborate government buildings alongside leafy green plazas in this laid back as well as active city. La Plata is a happening university town with a population of over 700,000. You can walk the width of it in under an hour, stopping at trendy craft beer bars, local music joints, and great restaurants along the way. Also, football is a religion in Argentina and if you're looking for some local atmosphere, La Plata is the place to go! Two of Argentina's biggest football teams, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata and Estudiantes de La Plata challenge each other each year. If you are around during that special day for the city, you will witness thousands of fans wearing the relevant colours heading off to watch the match and parade by calle 7.

El Calafate

Located in Patagonia, El Calafate has become a popular tourist destination in Argentina because of its beautiful setting on the stunningly blue Lago Argentina. The town sits on the southern border of the lake in the southwestern part of the Santa Cruz Province. It's about 320 kilometers from Rio Gallegos.

The rise in popularity of Patagonia as a tourist destination has truly put this small town on the map. You'll find no shortage of trekkers in the town and it makes an excellent base to explore different parts of the Los Glaciares National Park. Popular places to visit include Perito Moreno Glacier, Cerro Chalten, and Cerro Torre.

El Calafate has a cold semi-arid climate. The summers are cool to warm and very dry while the winters are cold and damp. Lago Argentino has a significant influence over the town's climate. The shallow bay where the town is located is usually frozen during the winter months.

Check out our ultimate guide to Hiking in Patagonia.

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, El Calafate or La Plata?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

La Plata Prices
Argentina Prices

El Calafate Prices
Argentina Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

La Plata $87

El Calafate $82

The average daily cost (per person) in La Plata is $87, while the average daily cost in El Calafate is $82. 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 La Plata and El Calafate in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

La Plata $67

El Calafate $51
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

La Plata $134

El Calafate $102

Compare Hotels in La Plata and El Calafate

Looking for a hotel in La Plata or El Calafate? 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: La Plata Hotel Prices and El Calafate Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

La Plata $5.43

El Calafate $5.89

Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Calafate

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

Perito Moreno Glacier Mini Trek with Transfer: $636
Perito Moreno Full Day Minitrekking with Transfer & Walkways: $600
Glaciares Gourmet: boat tour + Lunch. Transfers & disembark opt. : $295
Laguna de Los Tres Transfer & Self-Guided Hike: $140
Aiport transfer Group 4 to 6 people with luggage: $125
Perito Moreno Glacier Expedition with Transfer & Guide inc.: $98
Excursion to the Perito Moreno Glacier, with guide and transfer to / from the hotel: $79
Private Airport Transfer: $64
Private Transfer: Calafate Airport to City Center: $59
Private Airport Transfer in Calafate: $45
Private Transfer Hotel-Bus Station or Bus Station-Hotel (Calafate): $35
Transfers Between Airport and Hotels: $34

Is it cheaper to fly into La Plata or El Calafate?

Prices for flights to both El Calafate and La Plata 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

La Plata $9.15

El Calafate $9.38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in El Calafate

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

Estancia 25 de Mayo Tour with Dinner & Transfer: $117
Lakes and Caves Tour with Dinner: $205
Lakes and Caves Tour with Dinner and Wine Included: $207
Estancia 25 de Mayo Experience with Dinner from Calafate: $210
Estancia 25 de Mayo in El Calafate - PM visit with dinner: $240

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

La Plata $30

El Calafate $73

Tours and Activities in El Calafate

For El Calafate, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

Blue Safari Experience: Hiking and Navigation on Glaciers: $180
Boat Tour from El Calafate "Todo Glaciares" / "All Glaciers" : $235
CAÑADON EXPERIENCE - TREKKING & STAY - PRIVATE VEHICLE: $1,400
CALAFATE: Panoramic tour: The best balconies of Calafate: $245
Calafate 4-Day Tour: Glaciers, Premium Navigation & Safari: $1,450
Calafate Panoramic tour: The best balconies of Calafate 4x4: $290
DARWIN EXPERIENCE KAYAK & ADVENTURE: $240
Darwin Experience - kayaks & adventure: $240
Discover La Leona Petrified Forest: Guided Hiking Tour: $240
EL CALAFATE Native experience lakes and caverns: $242
El Calafate Balconies Experience - Tour in FWD vehicle: $257
El Calafate Balconies Experience - Tour in FWD vehicle: $219

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

La Plata $7.70

El Calafate $12

Sample the Local Flavors in El Calafate

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in El Calafate:

Calafate Wine Tours | Pedestrian City Tour Paired with Wines: $78

How are these travel costs calculated?

When comparing the travel costs between La Plata and El Calafate, we can see that La Plata 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 La Plata Expensive? and Is El Calafate Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, La Plata or El Calafate?

La Plata has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of El Calafate. When comparing the sizes of La Plata and El Calafate, 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.

A Travel Price Comparison for Argentina La Plata vs. El Calafate for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit La Plata or El Calafate?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Where Should I go: La Plata or El Calafate?

La Plata

El Calafate

Which place is cheaper, El Calafate or La Plata?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in La Plata and El Calafate

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Calafate

Is it cheaper to fly into La Plata or El Calafate?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in El Calafate

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in El Calafate

Alcohol

Sample the Local Flavors in El Calafate

Which is Bigger, La Plata or El Calafate?

Related Articles for La Plata

Related Articles for El Calafate

A Travel Price Comparison for Argentina La Plata vs. El Calafate for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit La Plata or El Calafate?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Where Should I go: La Plata or El Calafate?

La Plata

El Calafate

Which place is cheaper, El Calafate or La Plata?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in La Plata and El Calafate

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Calafate

Is it cheaper to fly into La Plata or El Calafate?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in El Calafate

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in El Calafate

Alcohol

Sample the Local Flavors in El Calafate

Which is Bigger, La Plata or El Calafate?

Related Articles for La Plata

Related Articles for El Calafate

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