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

Should you visit Mar del Plata or Salto?

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

Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or Salto?

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.

Salto

Salto is in the citrus growing region of Northern Interior Uruguay, on the east bank of the Rio Uruguay. It is closely connected to the neighboring Argentinian city of Concordia that lies across the river on the western bank. Salto is Uruguay's second-largest city and the most northerly crossing point to Argentina. Salto is a very picturesque city that has a relaxing feel the entire year. However, people mostly come here for the nearby hot springs and the recreation area above the enormous Salto Grande hydroelectric dam.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, and The Best Budget Tours to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Salto or Mar del Plata?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mar del Plata is $9.01, while the average daily cost in Salto is $70. 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 Salto in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mar del Plata $3.23
    Salto $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mar del Plata $6.46
    Salto $60
Compare Hotels in Mar del Plata and Salto

Looking for a hotel in Mar del Plata or Salto? 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.

Hotels in Mar del Plata


Hotels in Salto


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 Salto Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mar del Plata $2.56
    Salto $21

Is it cheaper to fly into Mar del Plata or Salto?

Prices for flights to both Salto 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 day
    Mar del Plata $3.91
    Salto $24

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mar del Plata $2.33
    Salto $18

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mar del Plata $1.82
    Salto $13


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


Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or Salto?

Mar del Plata has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Salto. When comparing the sizes of Mar del Plata and Salto, 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 Salto?

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 Salto in the Summer?

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

In January, Mar del Plata is generally cooler than Salto. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 20°C (69°F), and Salto fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Salto. 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 Salto. Mar del Plata gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salto receives 262 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Salto. Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in January than Salto. Mar del Plata gets 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Salto receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Mar del Plata 20°C (69°F) 
    Salto 25°C (77°F)

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

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

Mar del Plata is cooler than Salto in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Salto fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Salto. In April, Mar del Plata usually receives less rain than Salto. Mar del Plata gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Salto receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Mar del Plata 15°C (59°F) 
    Salto 19°C (65°F)

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

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

In the winter, Mar del Plata is cooler than Salto. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mar del Plata in July average around 9°C (47°F), and Salto averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in July than Salto. Mar del Plata gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Salto receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Mar del Plata 9°C (47°F) 
    Salto 12°C (54°F)

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

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

In October, Mar del Plata is generally cooler than Salto. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 13°C (56°F), and Salto fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Salto this time of the year. Mar del Plata usually receives less sunshine than Salto during spring. Mar del Plata gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Salto receives 243 hours of full sun in the spring.

Salto receives a lot of rain in the spring. In October, Mar del Plata usually receives less rain than Salto. Mar del Plata gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Salto receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Mar del Plata 13°C (56°F) 
    Salto 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Salto and Mar del Plata

Mar del Plata Salto
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 20°C (69°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Mar 18°C (65°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 22°C (71°F) 155 mm (6.1 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 19°C (65°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 9°C (48°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Jul 9°C (47°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Aug 9°C (49°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 13°C (56°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 11°C (51°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
Nov 16°C (61°F) 75 mm (3 in) 20°C (69°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Dec 19°C (66°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 23°C (74°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)