Which place is cheaper, Ensenada 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.
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Should you visit La Plata or Ensenada?
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 Ensenada can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: La Plata or Ensenada?
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.
Ensenada
Ensenada is on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, south of Tijuana. It's the only deep water port in the state of Baja California and as such, it is an important commerical fishing port as well as a cruise ship destination. The city has a population of almost 500,000 and is located just 78 miles south of San Diego. The city sits between the ocean and a small mountain range. The surrounding area is known for its wine production, which produces some of the best wine in Mexico.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Argentina, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.
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La Plata Prices
Argentina PricesEnsenada Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Plata $61Ensenada $121
The average daily cost (per person) in La Plata is $61, while the average daily cost in Ensenada is $121. 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 Ensenada in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Plata $48Ensenada $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Plata $96Ensenada $88
Compare Hotels in La Plata and Ensenada
Looking for a hotel in La Plata or Ensenada? 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: Ensenada Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Plata $3.84Ensenada $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ensenada
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ensenada:
- Transfer From Ensenada to San Diego: $264
- Private transfer from Ensenada to Tijuana Airport: $146
Is it cheaper to fly into La Plata or Ensenada?
Prices for flights to both Ensenada 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
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Food Meals for one dayLa Plata $6.47Ensenada $64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ensenada
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ensenada.
- Cooking Class and Margarita Madness at Valle de Guadalupe: $94
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Plata $21Ensenada $10
Tours and Activities in La Plata
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for La Plata.
- Guided City Tour including Cathedral, Museum, and Lunch: $115
- Buenos Aires: Half-Day City Tour: $353
Tours and Activities in Ensenada
Here are a few actual costs in Ensenada for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Adventure in Ensenada with Transportation: $110
- ATV Hot Water Springs Tour: $165
- ATV Mountain Tour: $78
- ATV Off-Road Adventure through Valle de Guadalupe + Winery Visit: $77
- ATV'S on the Mountain with Ocean View Private Tour: $110
- Adventure Tour in Kayak at La Bufadora with Lobster, Oyster Feast: $150
- Adventure in Ensenada with Zipline, Marine Geyser and Shops: $99
- Adventure+ Relax: Zipline or ATV + Massage with Port Pickup: $145
- Canopy Tour and ATV Tour In Ensenada: $208
- Ensenada Horseback Riding Adventure with Local Guide: $82
- Ensenada Shore Excursion: City Tour & La Bufadora: $81
- Ensenada Shore Excursion: Entre Santos and El Cielo Winery Tours with Lunch: $166
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Plata $5.45Ensenada $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Ensenada
Also in Ensenada, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tasting Experience in Maglén: $29
- Wine tasting in private gardens overlooking the vineyards: $55
- Tractor Pull Around Vineyards and Wine Tasting Tour: $59
- Wine tour valley of guadalupe: $60
- Wine Tasting Among Vineyards with Panoramic Views of the Valley: $65
- Wine Tour Guadalupe Valley /Loreta Restaurant Fire and Smoke: $69
- Lavender Fields Tour from Port w Wine Tasting and Massage Options: $99
- Private Wine Tour at Valle de Guadalupe (A wine tasting included).: $117
- Private Valle Wine Tour: All Wine Tastings Included: $135
- Valle de Guadalupe Couples Wine Tour: $165
- Wine Tasting Tour ONLY for Cruise Ship Visitors. ALL INCLUSIVE!: $221
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Plata and Ensenada, we can see that Ensenada is more expensive. And not only is La Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since La Plata is in South America and Ensenada is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to La Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Plata 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 Ensenada would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ensenada than you might in La Plata.
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 Ensenada Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Plata or Ensenada?
La Plata has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ensenada. When comparing the sizes of La Plata and Ensenada, 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.