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

Should you visit Mar del Plata or Huaraz?

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

Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or Huaraz?

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.

Huaraz

Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Argentina, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Huaraz 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 $8.78, while the average daily cost in Huaraz is $50. 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 Huaraz in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mar del Plata $3.15
    Huaraz $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mar del Plata $6.30
    Huaraz $40
Compare Hotels in Mar del Plata and Huaraz

Looking for a hotel in Mar del Plata or Huaraz? 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 Huaraz


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 Huaraz Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mar del Plata $2.50
    Huaraz $10

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huaraz

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.17

Is it cheaper to fly into Mar del Plata or Huaraz?

Prices for flights to both Huaraz 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 $3.81
    Huaraz $18

Typical Food Prices in Huaraz

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Huaraz:


  • Lunch
    $5.97
  • Chips
    $1.49

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mar del Plata $2.27
    Huaraz $19

Typical Entertainment Prices in Huaraz

Here are a few typical costs in Huaraz for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Climbing Gear
    $17

Tours and Activities in Huaraz

Here are a few actual costs in Huaraz for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 69 Lake Tour of Peru: $26
  • Ancash: Adventure and Climbing to Mountain Alpamayo |6D-5N|: $3,303
  • Ancash: Nevado pastors and puyas Raymondi Tour | Full Day |: $40
  • Ancash: Trek and Adventure to Quillcayhuanca |3Days-2Nights|: $410
  • From Ancash: Fantastic tour Huaraz/Nevado Pastoruri |4D-3N|: $192
  • From Ancash: Huaraz Adventure with meals |3Days-2Nights|: $142
  • From Ancash: Tour Huaraz with Puya Raymondi |4Days-3Nights|: $197
  • From Ancash: Tour fantastic in Huaraz |2Days-1Night|: $92
  • From Ancash: Tour in Huaraz with tickets and Hotel |5D-4N|: $250
  • From Huaraz | Live an adventure between mountains and lakes: $214
  • From Huaraz || Full day tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca: $36
  • From Chavín de Huantar fullday tour: $56

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mar del Plata $1.78
    Huaraz $15


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


Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or Huaraz?

Mar del Plata has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Huaraz. When comparing the sizes of Mar del Plata and Huaraz, 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 Huaraz?

Mar del Plata has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Huaraz experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Mar del Plata or Huaraz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mar del Plata as well as Huaraz. The warm climate attracts visitors to Huaraz throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Huaraz in the summer. Mar del Plata is much warmer than Huaraz in the summer. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 20°C (69°F) in January, and Huaraz fluctuates around 3°C (37°F)in July.

Mar del Plata usually gets more rain in January than Huarazin July. Mar del Plata gets 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Mar del Plata 20°C (69°F) 
    Huaraz 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Mar del Plata or Huaraz in the Autumn?

Both Huaraz and Mar del Plata are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Huaraz because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Huaraz. In the autumn, Mar del Plata is much warmer than Huaraz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mar del Plata in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Huaraz averages at about 4°C (39°F)in October.

In April, Mar del Plata usually receives less rain than Huarazin October. Mar del Plata gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Mar del Plata 15°C (59°F) 
    Huaraz 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Mar del Plata or Huaraz in the Winter?

Both Huaraz and Mar del Plata during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Huaraz year-round.

In July, Mar del Plata is generally a little warmer than Huarazin January. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 9°C (47°F), and Huaraz fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Huaraz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in July than Huarazin January. Mar del Plata gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Mar del Plata 9°C (47°F) 
    Huaraz 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Mar del Plata or Huaraz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mar del Plata and Huaraz. Huaraz attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Mar del Plata is much warmer than Huaraz in the spring. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Huaraz fluctuates around 6°C (43°F)in April.

In October, Mar del Plata usually receives less rain than Huarazin April. Mar del Plata gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Mar del Plata 13°C (56°F) 
    Huaraz 6°C (43°F)

Typical Weather for Huaraz and Mar del Plata

Mar del Plata Huaraz
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 20°C (69°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 7°C (45°F) 122 mm (4.8 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 8°C (46°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Mar 18°C (65°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 7°C (45°F) 126 mm (5 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 6°C (43°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 5°C (41°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 9°C (48°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 4°C (39°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 9°C (47°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 3°C (37°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 9°C (49°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 3°C (37°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Sep 11°C (51°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 3°C (37°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 4°C (39°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Nov 16°C (61°F) 75 mm (3 in) 5°C (41°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Dec 19°C (66°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 6°C (43°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)