Which place is cheaper, Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia?
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 Ushuaia can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or Ushuaia?
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.
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is a city on the Tierra del Fuego island of Argentina on the Beagle Strait. The city is considered to be one of the southernmost cities in the world and is often used as a base for cruises to Antarctica. Ushuaia's close proximity to Antarctica and their amazing hiking trails have made it a popular tourist destination over the past few decades.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Argentina, The Best Tours for Seniors to Argentina, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMar del Plata $8.78Ushuaia $11
The average daily cost (per person) in Mar del Plata is $8.78, while the average daily cost in Ushuaia is $11. 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 Ushuaia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMar del Plata $3.15Ushuaia $5.64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMar del Plata $6.30Ushuaia $11
Compare Hotels in Mar del Plata and Ushuaia
Looking for a hotel in Mar del Plata or Ushuaia? 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 Ushuaia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mar del Plata $2.50Ushuaia -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ushuaia are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia
Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport and Hotel Transfer in Ushuaia: $139
- Private Embarkation Debarkation Transfer: $129
- Private Transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport (Ushuaia): $120
- Escondido and Fagnano Lakes with transfer: $97
- Transfer from/to the airport: $89
- Ushuaia Airport (USH) to Ushuaia - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $63
- Private Transfer Airport-Port or Port-Airport (Ushuaia): $55
- Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia city - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $46
- Shared Transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport (Ushuaia): $37
- Transfer Ushuaia Airport - Hotel in Ushuaia - Ushuaia Airport : $35
- Ushuaia to Ushuaia Airport (USH) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia Cruise Port: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Mar del Plata or Ushuaia?
Prices for flights to both Ushuaia 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 $3.81Ushuaia $2.18
Typical Food Prices in Ushuaia
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ushuaia:
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Lunch for Two$0.06
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mar del Plata $2.27Ushuaia $13
Tours and Activities in Ushuaia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.
- 2-day tour: Tierra del Fuego National Park + Fagnano and Escondido Lakes: $115
- 2-day tour:Tierra del Fuego NP + Beagle Channel Navigation + Fagnano & Escondido: $190
- 3-Hour Navigation Tour in the Beagle Channel with Isla de Lobos: $145
- 3-Hour Tour Sailing through the Beagle Channel: $105
- 4×4 Off Road Tour to Escondido and Khami Lakes: $230
- 4-Hour National Park - USHUAIA (Shared tour): $75
- 4WD Off-Road Lakes Adventure in Tierra del Fuego: $156
- 5.5-Hour Nat Park w/ Hiking *Shore Excursion* USHUAIA (Shared tour for cruises): $115
- 5.5-Hour National park w/ hiking Shore excursion - USHUAIA (Private Tour): $280
- 5hrs of Trekking Experience in Martial Glacier: $95
- 7-Hour Lakes Escondido & Fagnano - USHUAIA (Shared tour): $105
- Adventure 360º in Quads with Lunch: $160
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMar del Plata $1.78Ushuaia -
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ushuaia are as follows:
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Wine$0.05
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Beer$0.01
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mar del Plata and Ushuaia, we can see that Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or Ushuaia?
Mar del Plata has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ushuaia. When comparing the sizes of Mar del Plata and Ushuaia, 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 Ushuaia?
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 Ushuaia in the Summer?
Both Ushuaia and Mar del Plata are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
Mar del Plata is much warmer than Ushuaia in the summer. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 20°C (69°F) in January, and Ushuaia fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mar del Plata. Mar del Plata usually receives more sunshine than Ushuaia during summer. Mar del Plata gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Ushuaia receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than Ushuaia. Mar del Plata gets 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryMar del Plata 20°C (69°F)Ushuaia 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Ushuaia in the Autumn?
Both Ushuaia and Mar del Plata during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In the autumn, Mar del Plata is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mar del Plata in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 6°C (43°F).
Mar del Plata usually gets more rain in April than Ushuaia. Mar del Plata gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilMar del Plata 15°C (59°F)Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Ushuaia in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mar del Plata and Ushuaia.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Ushuaia. In July, Mar del Plata is generally much warmer than Ushuaia. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 9°C (47°F), and Ushuaia fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
In July, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than Ushuaia. Mar del Plata gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyMar del Plata 9°C (47°F)Ushuaia 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Ushuaia in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Mar del Plata as well as Ushuaia.
Mar del Plata is much warmer than Ushuaia in the spring. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Ushuaia fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
In the spring, Mar del Plata often gets more sunshine than Ushuaia. Mar del Plata gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ushuaia receives 156 hours of full sun.
Mar del Plata usually gets more rain in October than Ushuaia. Mar del Plata gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberMar del Plata 13°C (56°F)Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Ushuaia and Mar del Plata
| Mar del Plata | Ushuaia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (69°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (65°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 9°C (48°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (47°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (49°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.