Which place is cheaper, Paracas 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 Paracas?
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 Paracas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or Paracas?
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.
Paracas
Paracas, also known as El Chaco, is a resort town on the Southern coast of the country, about 150 miles south of Lima. The town in located in one of the oldest regions of Peru, with a history dating back to 900 BC and offers many pre-Inca cultural sites throughout the area. Paracas is possibly best known for being home to the Paracas National Reserve, a nature reserve boasting one of the most abundant and diverse ecosystems in the world.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMar del Plata $8.78Paracas $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Mar del Plata is $8.78, while the average daily cost in Paracas is $63. 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 Paracas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMar del Plata $3.15Paracas $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMar del Plata $6.30Paracas $44
Compare Hotels in Mar del Plata and Paracas
Looking for a hotel in Mar del Plata or Paracas? 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 Paracas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mar del Plata $2.50Paracas $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:
- Private Transfer From Paracas To Lima With 2 Stops: $175
- Direct Private Transfer From Paracas to Lima, English Speaking Driver: $163
- Lima: Private taxi transfer from Lima airport to Paracas: $129
- Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $87
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $87
- Private Transfer from Pisko Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels: $87
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $78
- Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels: $78
- Oneway Transfer from San Juan Airport, Hotel, Airbnb to Bayamon: $60
- Private Transfer From San Juan Airport (SJU) to /from San Juan: $44
- Paracas Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
- Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Mar del Plata or Paracas?
Prices for flights to both Paracas 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 $3.81Paracas $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paracas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Paracas.
- From Lima Ballestas Islands, Ica and cooking class Ceviche: $139
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mar del Plata $2.27Paracas $25
Tours and Activities in Paracas
Here are a few actual costs in Paracas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Hour Tour to the Ballestas Islands from Puerto San Martín: $49
- 2-day, 1-night tour to Paracas, Ica, and Nasca: $400
- 3-Day Paracas Tour Package: $235
- 4-Hour Guided Tour Paracas National Reserve: $20
- 7-Hours Tour in Paracas National Reserve with Pickup: $38
- ATV Tour Adventure in Reserva Nacional de Paracas: $45
- Adventure in the Paracas National Reserve in private: $39
- Ballestas Islands Group Tour from Paracas : $26
- Ballestas Islands Group Tour from San Martin Port: $50
- Ballestas Islands Sightseeing Boat Ride from Paracas: $24
- Ballestas Islands Tour: $24
- Ballestas Islands Tour - Paracas: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMar del Plata $1.78Paracas $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mar del Plata and Paracas, we can see that Paracas 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 Paracas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paracas 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 Paracas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or Paracas?
Mar del Plata has a larger population, and is about 460 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of Mar del Plata and Paracas, 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.