A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers La Plata vs. Guadalajara for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit La Plata or Guadalajara?

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 Guadalajara can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: La Plata or Guadalajara?

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.

Guadalajara

Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco in western Mexico, as well as one of the country's largest cities. It is best known for tequila and mariachi music, which both originate in Jalisco, as well as a thriving historic center with colonial architecture and landmarks.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Argentina, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Guadalajara 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in La Plata is $65, while the average daily cost in Guadalajara is $146. 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 Guadalajara in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    La Plata $50
    Guadalajara $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    La Plata $100
    Guadalajara $82
Compare Hotels in La Plata and Guadalajara

Looking for a hotel in La Plata or Guadalajara? 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 La Plata


Hotels in Guadalajara


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 Guadalajara Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    La Plata $4.05
    Guadalajara $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guadalajara

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

  • Guadalajara Airport Private Transfer to Ajijic & Chapala: $289
  • Private Transfer from Guadalajara to Morelia: $245
  • Guadalajara Airport(GDL) to Tequila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $202
  • Tequila to Guadalajara - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $178
  • Transfer airport Guadalajara: $148
  • Transfer by car to or from Guadalajara Airport: $129
  • Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
  • Tequila to Guadalajara Airport (GDL) - Departure Private Transfer: $101
  • Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Tequila - Arrival Private Transfer: $101
  • Private transfer to or from Guadalajara airport: $101
  • Transfer from International Airport to Tequila Jalisco: $95
  • Private airport transfer to Guadalajara and surrounding areas: $90

Is it cheaper to fly into La Plata or Guadalajara?

Prices for flights to both Guadalajara 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 $6.82
    Guadalajara $80

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guadalajara

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

  • Private Guadalajara Street Food Tour - Best Rated: $39
  • Private Street Food Tour and City Tour Guadalajara - Best Rated: $54
  • Tapatio Tastes Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $59
  • Street Food Tour in  Guadalajara with a Local Guide: $65
  • Guadalajara Market Food Tour & Historic Landmarks Walk: $70
  • Guadalajara Street Food Tour: Taste the Best of Tapatío Cuisine: $106
  • Mexican Cooking Classes and Market Visit in Guadalajara: $112
  • VIP Tequila Night Tour with Dinner and Tasting: $299

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    La Plata $22
    Guadalajara $27

Tours and Activities in La Plata

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

  • Buenos Aires: Half-Day City Tour: $353
  • Guided City Tour including Cathedral, Museum, and Lunch: $115

Tours and Activities in Guadalajara

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

  • 3 Hours Private Tour Guide in Guadalajara: $49
  • 3 Hours Private Tour Guide in Guadalajara, you choose!: $49
  • 3 hours Guadalajara Private City Tour: $49
  • 3-Hour Guadalajara Bike and Food Guided Tour: $65
  • A unique tour! Visiting Hacienda Casa herradura From Guadalajara: $120
  • Acuario Sealand Guadalajara Admission Ticket: $30
  • Adventure tour Between Charros, Mariachi and Parián de Tlaquepaque: $47
  • All Included Foodie Tour: Seafood & Beers at 3 Cool Restaurants.: $110
  • All Included Foodie Tour: Tacos & Cocktails at the Best Bars: $110
  • All Inclusive Adventure 2 Days 1 Night in Sierra de Quila Jal: $112
  • All incluided Foodie Tour Zapopan Beer, Tacos and Agave Spirits.: $110
  • BIKE TOUR in the coolest areas of GUADALAJARA: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    La Plata $5.74
    Guadalajara $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Guadalajara

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

  • Guadalajara Pub Crawl: Free Drinks & Party Games: $21
  • Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Guadalajara Mexico: $25
  • Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Guadalajara Mexico: $25
  • Cultural tour, city fields and distillery: $32
  • Tequila distillery experience, Jose Cuervo & Tequila Magic Town: $80
  • full day Tequila tour visiting artisanal distillery and downtown.: $89
  • Horseshoe Distillery Tour with Premium Tasting from Guadalajara: $99
  • Private Tour to Tequila: Artisan Distillery and Campos de Agave: $102
  • Tequila tour visiting a local brewery: $129
  • Private Tequila Adventure Tour with Visit to Atanasio Distillery: $170
  • VIP Private Tequila Tour: Artisanal Distillery and Magical Town: $177
  • Private Adventure to El Tequileño Distillery and visit to Tequila: $177


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


Which is Bigger, La Plata or Guadalajara?

Guadalajara has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of La Plata. When comparing the sizes of La Plata and Guadalajara, 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.