A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mar del Plata vs. Easter Island for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mar del Plata or Easter Island?

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 Mar del Plata and Easter Island can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or Easter Island?

Mar del Plata

Mar del Plata is found only 404 km southeast of the city of Buenos Aires, on the Atlantic coast. Today Mar Del Plata is Argentina‘s most well known beach resort. It has successfully married the two worlds of beach and city into a fun, cosmopolitan urban center with the presence of highly developed tourist infrastructure. Founded in 1874, Mar del Plata was at first mainly an industrial and commercial center before becoming a vacation destination for Argentinians. For a peaceful trip and intimate oceanfront promenades, avoid visiting Mar del Plata during summer time, as the gorgeous arced coastline will be crawling with visitors. But the city is more than just beaches. It also offers some culture, lively nightlife, and great food.

Easter Island

Although Easter Island is considered a territory of Chile, it is actually located far out in the Pacific, almost halfway to Tahiti. Easter Island is well known, despite being one of the most isolated islands on Earth, because of the mysterious giant stone busts which date back centuries. There are 887 monumental statues, called moai, that were built by the Rapa Nui people. There remains much mystery around the historic Polynesian culture which created the stones, as well as the specific meaning for them.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Argentina, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Easter Island or Mar del Plata?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mar del Plata is $8.91, while the average daily cost in Easter Island is $78. 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 Mar del Plata and Easter Island in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mar del Plata $3.20
    Easter Island $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mar del Plata $6.40
    Easter Island $86
Compare Hotels in Mar del Plata and Easter Island

Looking for a hotel in Mar del Plata or Easter Island? 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 Mar del Plata


Hotels in Easter Island


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: Mar del Plata Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mar del Plata $2.54
    Easter Island $2.53

Is it cheaper to fly into Mar del Plata or Easter Island?

Prices for flights to both Easter Island and Mar del 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
    Mar del Plata $3.87
    Easter Island $24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Easter Island

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

  • Dinner, Show and Traditional Curanto Te Ra'ai Cultural Experience: $120
  • Rapa Nui Dinner Show on Easter Island: $153

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mar del Plata $2.30
    Easter Island $39

Typical Entertainment Prices in Easter Island

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Easter Island's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Bike Rental
    $8.19

Tours and Activities in Easter Island

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

  • Half Day Private Tour: Caves and Volcanic Refuges: $170
  • 2 Day Private Tour: Rapa Nui's Cultural Heritage: $300
  • 2 Days Highlights Tour in Easter Island Moai and Nature: $210
  • Easter Island Full-Day Tour: Ahu Tongariki, Rano Raraku and Anakena Beach: $171
  • Easter Island Moai Archaeology Tour: Ahu Akivi, Ahu Tahai and Puna Pauâ Quarry.: $91
  • Poike Volcano Private Hiking Tour with Guide: $280
  • Experience Easter Island Shared Tour for Cruise Ship Passengers : $290
  • Full Day Hotu Matua Tour from Vaihu to Anakena: $70
  • Full Day Private Tour: Factory of the Moai the stone giants: $219
  • Full Day Tour - The Land of Hotu Matu´a: $177
  • Full Day Tour in Rapa Nui: $70
  • Full Day Tour in Rapa Nui National Park, Easter Island: $98

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mar del Plata $1.80
    Easter Island $5.22


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mar del Plata and Easter Island, we can see that Easter Island is more expensive. And not only is Mar del Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mar del Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mar del 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 Easter Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Easter Island than you might in Mar del Plata.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mar del Plata Expensive? and Is Easter Island Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or Easter Island?

Mar del Plata has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Easter Island. When comparing the sizes of Mar del Plata and Easter Island, 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.


When is the best time to visit Mar del Plata or Easter Island?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Mar del Plata or Easter Island in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mar del Plata and Easter Island.

Mar del Plata is cooler than Easter Island in the summer. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 20°C (69°F) in January, and Easter Island fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Easter Island this time of the year. In Mar del Plata, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mar del Plata usually receives less sunshine than Easter Island during summer. Mar del Plata gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Easter Island receives 272 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than Easter Island. Mar del Plata gets 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Mar del Plata 20°C (69°F) 
    Easter Island 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Mar del Plata or Easter Island in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mar del Plata as well as Easter Island.

In the autumn, Mar del Plata is cooler than Easter Island. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mar del Plata in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Easter Island averages at about 22°C (72°F).

It's quite rainy in Easter Island. Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in April than Easter Island. Mar del Plata gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Mar del Plata 15°C (59°F) 
    Easter Island 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Mar del Plata or Easter Island in the Winter?

Both Easter Island and Mar del Plata are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

In July, Mar del Plata is generally much colder than Easter Island. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 9°C (47°F), and Easter Island fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Easter Island. In July, Mar del Plata usually receives less rain than Easter Island. Mar del Plata gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Mar del Plata 9°C (47°F) 
    Easter Island 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Mar del Plata or Easter Island in the Spring?

Both Easter Island and Mar del Plata during the spring are popular places to visit.

Mar del Plata is cooler than Easter Island in the spring. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Easter Island fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

In Easter Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Mar del Plata often gets less sunshine than Easter Island. Mar del Plata gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Easter Island receives 224 hours of full sun.

Mar del Plata usually gets more rain in October than Easter Island. Mar del Plata gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Mar del Plata 13°C (56°F) 
    Easter Island 20°C (67°F)

Typical Weather for Easter Island and Mar del Plata

Mar del Plata Easter Island
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 20°C (69°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 24°C (74°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Mar 18°C (65°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 20°C (69°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Jun 9°C (48°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 19°C (67°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Jul 9°C (47°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 18°C (65°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Aug 9°C (49°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 19°C (65°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Sep 11°C (51°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 20°C (67°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Nov 16°C (61°F) 75 mm (3 in) 21°C (69°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 19°C (66°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)