A Travel Price Comparison for Argentina Mar del Plata vs. La Plata for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mar del Plata or La Plata?

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

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

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 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Argentina, The Best Tours for Seniors to Argentina, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Argentina.

When comparing the travel costs between Mar del Plata and La Plata, we can see that La Plata 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 Plata Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or La Plata?

La Plata has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Mar del Plata. When comparing the sizes of Mar del Plata and La Plata, 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 La Plata?

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 La Plata in the Summer?

Both La Plata and Mar del Plata are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In the summer, Mar del Plata is cooler than La Plata. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mar del Plata in January average around 20°C (69°F), and La Plata averages at about 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mar del Plata. Mar del Plata usually receives more sunshine than La Plata during summer. Mar del Plata gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while La Plata receives 191 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than La Plata. Mar del Plata gets 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while La Plata receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both La Plata and Mar del Plata during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In April, Mar del Plata is generally cooler than La Plata. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 15°C (59°F), and La Plata fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in April than La Plata. Mar del Plata gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while La Plata receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mar del Plata and La Plata.

Mar del Plata is cooler than La Plata in the winter. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 9°C (47°F) in July, and La Plata fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In July, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than La Plata. Mar del Plata gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while La Plata receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Mar del Plata as well as La Plata.

In the spring, Mar del Plata is cooler than La Plata. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mar del Plata in October average around 13°C (56°F), and La Plata averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In the spring, Mar del Plata often gets around the same amount of sunshine as La Plata. Mar del Plata gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Plata receives 167 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in La Plata. Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in October than La Plata. Mar del Plata gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while La Plata receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for La Plata and Mar del Plata