Which place is cheaper, Guadalajara or Mar del Plata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Mar del 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 Mar del Plata and Guadalajara can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or Guadalajara?
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.
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 Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Argentina, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico.
-
Mar del Plata Prices
Argentina PricesGuadalajara Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMar del Plata $59Guadalajara $146
The average daily cost (per person) in Mar del Plata is $59, 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 Mar del Plata and Guadalajara in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMar del Plata $45Guadalajara $41
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMar del Plata $90Guadalajara $82
Compare Hotels in Mar del Plata and Guadalajara
Looking for a hotel in Mar del 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.
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 and Guadalajara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mar del Plata $3.25Guadalajara $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 Mar del Plata or Guadalajara?
Prices for flights to both Guadalajara 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 dayMar del Plata $7.18Guadalajara $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.Mar del Plata $22Guadalajara $27
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 dayMar del Plata $8.11Guadalajara $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 Mar del Plata and Guadalajara, we can see that Guadalajara is more expensive. And not only is Mar del Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mar del 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 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 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 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 Guadalajara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or Guadalajara?
Guadalajara has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Mar del Plata. When comparing the sizes of Mar del 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.
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.