Which place is cheaper, Liberia or Mar del Plata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mar del Plata or Liberia?
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 Liberia can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or Liberia?
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.
Liberia
Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Argentina, The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMar del Plata $8.78Liberia $112
The average daily cost (per person) in Mar del Plata is $8.78, while the average daily cost in Liberia is $112. 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 Liberia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMar del Plata $3.15Liberia $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMar del Plata $6.30Liberia $120
Compare Hotels in Mar del Plata and Liberia
Looking for a hotel in Mar del Plata or Liberia? 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 Liberia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mar del Plata $2.50Liberia $43
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Bike Rental$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:
- Transfer Dreams Las Mareas from Airports ROUND TRIP: $300
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Santa Teresa: $300
- Private Transfer Liberia Airport to Arenal Hotels : $296
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Dreams Las Mareas Hotel: $295
- Punta Islita Hotel to/from Liberia Airport - Shuttle & Transfers Service: $279
- Liberia Airport To Rio Perdido & Thermal River - PRIVATE TRANSFER: $275
- Liberia Airport (LIR)to Malpais / Montezuma - Raund-Trip Transfer: $273
- Liberia Airport To Nandel Beach Resort, Private Transfer: $265
- Private Transfer Int. Airport Liberia To La Fortuna From 7 to 10 passengers: $262
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Nosara: $250
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Dreams Las Mareas: $245
- One-Way Private Transfer from Liberia Guanacaste Airport to La Fortuna (Arenal): $241
Is it cheaper to fly into Mar del Plata or Liberia?
Prices for flights to both Liberia 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
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Food Meals for one dayMar del Plata $3.81Liberia $21
Typical Food Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Snacks$1.97
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Lunch at The Shack (for 1)$4.95
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Lunch$11
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Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)$14
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Ginger Ale$1.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.
- 2-Hour Cooking Class in Nosara : $65
- Private Local Cooking Class in Nosara: $85
- Private Sunset Dinner at the Beach with Chef : $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mar del Plata $2.27Liberia $25
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
- ATV Tour Guanacaste the Beach Excursion & Trail: $110
- Birdwatching Experience private tour : $275
- Llanos de Cortez Safari and Waterfall Tour: $190
- Mega Combo Adventure: $195
- Nicaragua one day tour from Costa Rica, Discover it: $250
- 2 Hour ATV Experience From Guanacaste: $180
- 2 Hour ATV Private Tour in Costa Rica: $81
- 2-Hour ATV Tour: $110
- 2-Hours UTV Tour: $110
- 3 Hour ATV Adventure Tour in El Jobo: $120
- 4 Tours in 1 Action Package - Playa del Coco area: $170
- 5 in 1 sloth, Rainforest, waterfalls, hanging bridges, volcanic activity tour.: $285
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMar del Plata $1.78Liberia $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mar del Plata and Liberia, we can see that Liberia 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 Liberia is in Central 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 Liberia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Liberia 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 Liberia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or Liberia?
Mar del Plata has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Liberia. When comparing the sizes of Mar del Plata and Liberia, 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 Liberia?
Mar del Plata has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Liberia experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Liberia in the Summer?
Both Liberia and Mar del Plata during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Liberia year-round.
Mar del Plata is cooler than Liberia in the summer. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 20°C (69°F) in January, and Liberia fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Mar del Plata. In the summer, Mar del Plata often gets more sunshine than Liberiain July. Mar del Plata gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Liberia receives 164 hours of full sun.
Liberia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in January than Liberiain July. Mar del Plata gets 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyMar del Plata 20°C (69°F)Liberia 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Liberia in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mar del Plata and Liberia. Liberia attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Mar del Plata is much colder than Liberia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mar del Plata in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Liberia averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.
Liberia receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Mar del Plata usually receives less rain than Liberiain October. Mar del Plata gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to April in Liberia is the dry season. Also, April to December is the rainy season in Liberia.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberMar del Plata 15°C (59°F)Liberia 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Liberia in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Mar del Plata as well as Liberia. The warm climate attracts visitors to Liberia throughout the year.
In July, Mar del Plata is generally much colder than Liberiain January. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 9°C (47°F), and Liberia fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Mar del Plata usually gets more rain in July than Liberiain January. Mar del Plata gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMar del Plata 9°C (47°F)Liberia 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Liberia in the Spring?
Both Liberia and Mar del Plata are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Liberia because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Mar del Plata is much colder than Liberia in the spring. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Liberia fluctuates around 29°C (85°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Liberia. Mar del Plata usually receives less sunshine than Liberia during spring. Mar del Plata gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Liberia receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than Liberiain April. Mar del Plata gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Liberia is December to April. The rainy season in Liberia is April to December.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilMar del Plata 13°C (56°F)Liberia 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Liberia and Mar del Plata
| Mar del Plata | Liberia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (69°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (65°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 9°C (48°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (47°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (49°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
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.