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

Should you visit Mar del Plata or La Paz?

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 La Paz can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or La Paz?

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.

La Paz

La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, has a breathtaking setting. The city is the highest national capital in the world, with an altitude ranging from about 4,058 m (13,313 ft) above sea level in El Alto, where the airport is located, to 3,100 m (10,170 ft) in the lower residential area. The dynamic and chaotic city was built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. La Paz is now a fusion of architectural styles, cultures and beliefs, welcoming everyday new boutique hotels, modern shops, delicious restaurants and reinventing standing establishments. However, generally speaking, Bolivia remains more a backpacker hit than a mainstream tourist destination.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Argentina, The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia, and The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia.


Which place is cheaper, La Paz 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mar del Plata is $56, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $56. 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 La Paz in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mar del Plata $43
    La Paz $16
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mar del Plata $86
    La Paz $32
Compare Hotels in Mar del Plata and La Paz

Looking for a hotel in Mar del Plata or La Paz? 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 La Paz


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 Paz Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mar del Plata $3.09
    La Paz $9.44

Typical Local Transportation Prices in La Paz

Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz

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

  • From Uyuni Salt Flats 2-Day Tour with Bus Transfers: $260
  • La Paz - Uyuni: Comfortable Private Transfer with Tour Guide: $250
  • From Uyuni Salt Flats 3-Day Tour with Bus Transfers: $209
  • From Uyuni Salt Flats 2-Day Tour with Bus Transfers: $208
  • From 3-Day Uyuni Salt Flats Tour with Bus Transfers: $190
  • From Uyuni Salt Flats 3-Day Tour with Bus Transfers: $190
  • From Uyuni Salt Flats 3-Day Tour with Bus Transfers: $170
  • Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City: $77
  • Private Transfer From your Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City: $68
  • Private Transfer from your Hotel to Airport in La Paz City: $54
  • Private Transfer From Bus Station to your Hotel in La Paz City: $54
  • Private Transfer From Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City: $52

Is it cheaper to fly into Mar del Plata or La Paz?

Prices for flights to both La Paz 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 $6.81
    La Paz $29

Typical Food Prices in La Paz

For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Fruit
    $0.72

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz

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

  • Morning Food Tour with Cable Car & Local Markets: $27
  • Bolivian Cooking Class: $28
  • Bolivian Cooking Class: $30
  • Learn Bolivian Cuisine/Cooking Class: $40
  • Real Street Food Tour La Paz: $100
  • Real Street Food Tour with Guide: $100

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mar del Plata $21
    La Paz $16

Tours and Activities in La Paz

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

  • 2-Day Uyuni Salt Flats Tour with Bus from La Paz: $150
  • A Cultural Journey of Private Lake Titicaca and Tiquina Tour: $124
  • A Textile Tour: Pre-loom weavings: $80
  • ATV SIGHTSEEING TOUR: VISIT VALLE DE LA LUNA, VALLE DE ANIMAS, AND MUELA DEL DIABLO: $88
  • Be a Local - La Paz Walking Tour: $8.00
  • Bike Tour to the Death Road: $125
  • Bolivia, climbing tour to Illimani mountain 6,438 m in 3 days/2 nights: $1,900
  • Bolivias Iconic Death Road Bike Adventure in La Paz: $79
  • Cable Car, Cementery, Shaman and El Alto Adventure in La Paz: $22
  • Chacaltaya 5,435m & Valle De Luna. 2 For 1 Special Tour.: $38
  • Chacaltaya Mountain and Valley of the Moon Tour in La Paz: $35
  • City Tour plus Cable Car La Paz: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mar del Plata $7.69
    La Paz $11

Sample the Local Flavors in La Paz

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in La Paz:

  • Pub Crawl with VIP Entry and Welcome Shot: $24


When comparing the travel costs between Mar del Plata and La Paz, we can see that La Paz is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 La Paz Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or La Paz?

La Paz has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Mar del Plata. When comparing the sizes of Mar del Plata and La Paz, 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.