Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas or Mar del Plata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Mar del Plata or Punta Arenas?
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 Punta Arenas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or Punta Arenas?
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.
Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas is in the far south of Chile and has a long history of maritime commerce, oil extraction, and sheep farming. It's the most populated city on the Strait of Magellan and has all the facilities you might need as a traveler, including banks, markets, drugstores and equipment shops. With a population of about 130,000, the city is a comfortable place to spend time. It serves as a base for Antarctic expeditions, although many expeditions also start in Ushuaia, Argentina, and Christchurch New Zealand.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Argentina, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMar del Plata $8.78Punta Arenas $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Mar del Plata is $8.78, while the average daily cost in Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMar del Plata $3.15Punta Arenas $32
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMar del Plata $6.30Punta Arenas $64
Compare Hotels in Mar del Plata and Punta Arenas
Looking for a hotel in Mar del Plata or Punta Arenas? 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 Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mar del Plata $2.50Punta Arenas $1.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas
Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Punta Arenas (city or airport) to Puerto Natales: $267
- Punta Arenas Airport to Puerto Natales Private Transfer: $80
- Private Transfer - Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas Airport(PUQ): $71
- Private Transfer - Punta Arenas Airport(PUQ) to Punta Arenas Port: $71
- Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Round-Trip Transfer: $66
- Transfer from Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ): $64
- Private Transfer from Punta Arenas hotels to Punta Arenas Port: $64
- Punta Arenas to Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer Punta Arenas Airport to/from Punta Arenas: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Mar del Plata or Punta Arenas?
Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas 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 dayMar del Plata $3.81Punta Arenas $21
Typical Food Prices in Punta Arenas
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Punta Arenas:
-
Donut$1.05
-
Dinner$25
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mar del Plata $2.27Punta Arenas $6.44
Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.
- Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
- Fort Bulnes cruises: $70
- Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours: $180
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $138
- Magallanes Forest and Club Andino Tour from Punta Arenas: $290
- Magallanes Reserva and City Tour. Private Shore Excursion.: $158
- Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $153
- Mountain Bike Adventure in Punta Arenas: $192
- Pali Aike Full-Day Adventure from Punta Arenas: $300
- Private City Cruise Tour: $225
- Private Half Day Punta Arenas City Tour From the Hotel only: $250
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMar del Plata $1.78Punta Arenas $4.86
Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:
-
Alcohol$7.34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mar del Plata and Punta Arenas, we can see that Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or Punta Arenas?
Mar del Plata has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Punta Arenas. When comparing the sizes of Mar del Plata and Punta Arenas, 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 Punta Arenas?
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 Punta Arenas in the Summer?
Both Punta Arenas and Mar del Plata are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In January, Mar del Plata is generally much warmer than Punta Arenas. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 20°C (69°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
It's quite sunny in Punta Arenas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mar del Plata. Mar del Plata usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Punta Arenas during summer. Mar del Plata gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 208 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than Punta Arenas. Mar del Plata gets 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryMar del Plata 20°C (69°F)Punta Arenas 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Punta Arenas in the Autumn?
Both Punta Arenas and Mar del Plata during the autumn are popular places to visit.
Mar del Plata is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Mar del Plata usually gets more rain in April than Punta Arenas. Mar del Plata gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures AprilMar del Plata 15°C (59°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Punta Arenas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mar del Plata and Punta Arenas.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Punta Arenas. In the winter, Mar del Plata is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mar del Plata in July average around 9°C (47°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 1°C (35°F).
In July, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than Punta Arenas. Mar del Plata gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JulyMar del Plata 9°C (47°F)Punta Arenas 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Punta Arenas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Mar del Plata as well as Punta Arenas.
In October, Mar del Plata is generally much warmer than Punta Arenas. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 13°C (56°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In the spring, Mar del Plata often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Punta Arenas. Mar del Plata gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 183 hours of full sun.
Mar del Plata usually gets more rain in October than Punta Arenas. Mar del Plata gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures OctoberMar del Plata 13°C (56°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Punta Arenas and Mar del Plata
| Mar del Plata | Punta Arenas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (69°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (65°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 9°C (48°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (47°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (49°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 29 mm (1.1 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.