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

Should you visit Mar del Plata or Santiago?

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

Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or Santiago?

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.

Santiago

Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.

Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.

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 in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago 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 Santiago is $141. 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 Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mar del Plata $3.23
    Santiago $110
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mar del Plata $6.46
    Santiago $220
Compare Hotels in Mar del Plata and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Mar del Plata or Santiago? 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 Santiago


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 Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mar del Plata $2.56
    Santiago $5.39

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:


  • Metro Ride
    $1.13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Private Scenic Transfer to Mendoza.: $539
  • Visit Montes Winery (7th World Best Wine) & Transfer to Hotel: $300
  • Private Transfer from Santiago or Santiago Airport to Colchagua or Santa Cruz: $300
  • Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
  • Private Transfer from Santiago to San Antonio Valparaiso or Pichilemu: $290
  • Transfer From Santiago/Airport to Valparaiso(Exclusive & Private): $289
  • Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to Valparaíso: $277
  • Transfer Private hotel to Cruise ship in Puerto San Antonio or Valparaiso: $270
  • from Santiago airport private arrival transfer to the Valparaiso pier: $251
  • Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier or Valparaiso Pier : $251
  • Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $250
  • Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Valparaíso,Viña del Mar or San Antonio: $250

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

Prices for flights to both Santiago 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
    Santiago $13

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:


  • Empanada
    $1.88
  • Hamburger
    $2.49
  • Dinner
    $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.

  • Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $50
  • Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $97
  • Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
  • Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago: $107
  • Santiago City Sightseeing Small-Group Tour by Night Including Dinner: $109
  • Bali Hai Dinner & Show Including Transport: $115
  • Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $117
  • Sunset Alyan + 6 wines + savory board + rustic dinner + dessert: $119
  • Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
  • Private Tour: Santiago at Night with Dinner and Show: $131

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mar del Plata $2.33
    Santiago $47

Tours and Activities in Santiago

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:

  • Colchagua Valley Tour & Tasting: $230
  • Experience Wildlife Encounter in Provincia Mountain of Chile.: $235
  • Private Half-Day Guided Tour of the City of Santiago.: $200
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
  • 2-Hour Walking Tour of Yungay The Coolest Neighborhood in Chile: $35
  • 4 Hour Santa Rita Winery All inclusive Tour for Wine Lover: $269
  • 4-hour city tour of Santiago in small groups: $80
  • A Private Tour of Valparaiso with an experienced local guide.: $195
  • Adventure and Viewpoints in Cajón del Maipo: $255
  • Andean Horse Ride Yerba Loca Sanctuary - Private tour from Santiago: $240
  • Andean Tour: $158
  • Andes Day Lagoon in Cajón del Maipo & Embalse el Yeso Private Tour: $200

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mar del Plata $1.82
    Santiago $8.37

Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago

Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $37
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $44
  • Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $44
  • Undurraga Wine tour: $63
  • Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $65
  • Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $65
  • Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $68
  • Private Tour: Santa Rita Vineyard with Wine Tastings: $72
  • Premium Wine Tasting in Santiago de Chile: $77
  • From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
  • Private Tour: Undurraga Vineyard Experience with Premium Wine Tasting: $92
  • half day wine tour to concha y toro from Santiago seasonal offer: $95


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


Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Mar del Plata. When comparing the sizes of Mar del Plata and Santiago, 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 Santiago?

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 Santiago in the Summer?

Both Santiago and Mar del Plata during the summer are popular places to visit.

In the summer, Mar del Plata is around the same temperature as Santiago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mar del Plata in January average around 20°C (69°F), and Santiago averages at about 21°C (70°F).

Mar del Plata usually gets more rain in January than Santiago. Mar del Plata gets 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Mar del Plata 20°C (69°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mar del Plata and Santiago.

In April, Mar del Plata is generally around the same temperature as Santiago. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 15°C (59°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In April, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than Santiago. Mar del Plata gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Mar del Plata 15°C (59°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

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

The winter brings many poeple to Mar del Plata as well as Santiago.

Mar del Plata is around the same temperature as Santiago in the winter. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 9°C (47°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in July than Santiago. Mar del Plata gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Mar del Plata 9°C (47°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

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

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

In the spring, Mar del Plata is cooler than Santiago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mar del Plata in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F).

In October, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than Santiago. Mar del Plata gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Mar del Plata 13°C (56°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Mar del Plata

Mar del Plata Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 20°C (69°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 18°C (65°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 9°C (48°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 9°C (47°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 9°C (49°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 11°C (51°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 16°C (61°F) 75 mm (3 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 19°C (66°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)