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

Should you visit Mar del Plata or Pucon?

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

Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or Pucon?

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.

Pucon

A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.

Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Argentina, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.

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

Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or Pucon?

Mar del Plata has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Pucon. When comparing the sizes of Mar del Plata and Pucon, 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 Pucon?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

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

The summer brings many poeple to Mar del Plata as well as Pucon.

Mar del Plata is a little warmer than Pucon in the summer. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 20°C (69°F) in January, and Pucon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pucon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mar del Plata this time of the year. In the summer, Mar del Plata often gets less sunshine than Pucon. Mar del Plata gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 296 hours of full sun.

Mar del Plata usually gets more rain in January than Pucon. Mar del Plata gets 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

In the autumn, Mar del Plata is a little warmer than Pucon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mar del Plata in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Pucon averages at about 11°C (52°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. In April, Mar del Plata usually receives less rain than Pucon. Mar del Plata gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Pucon and Mar del Plata during the winter are popular places to visit.

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

Pucon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in July than Pucon. Mar del Plata gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mar del Plata and Pucon.

Mar del Plata is a little warmer than Pucon in the spring. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Mar del Plata usually receives less sunshine than Pucon during spring. Mar del Plata gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

Pucon receives a lot of rain in the spring. In October, Mar del Plata usually receives less rain than Pucon. Mar del Plata gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pucon and Mar del Plata