A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Medellin vs. San Miguel de Tucuman for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Medellin or San Miguel de Tucuman?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Medellin or San Miguel de Tucuman? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Medellin or San Miguel de Tucuman?

Medellin

In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.

San Miguel de Tucuman

The capital of the Tucuman Province in Argentina, San Miguel de Tucuman is the largest city in the country's northwest. The city is probably most well known as the sight where the Declaration of Independence from Spain took place on July 9, 1816. The location of this event, a colonial-style house called "Casa Historica" or "Casita de Tucuman", remains an important landmark in the city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Argentina, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, San Miguel de Tucuman or Medellin?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Medellin Prices
    Colombia Prices
    San Miguel de Tucuman Prices
    Argentina Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Medellin $29
    San Miguel de Tucuman $50

The average daily cost (per person) in Medellin is $29, while the average daily cost in San Miguel de Tucuman is $50. 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 Medellin and San Miguel de Tucuman in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Medellin $4.64
    San Miguel de Tucuman $37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Medellin $9.28
    San Miguel de Tucuman $74
Compare Hotels in Medellin and San Miguel de Tucuman

Looking for a hotel in Medellin or San Miguel de Tucuman? 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 Medellin


Hotels in San Miguel de Tucuman


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: Medellin Hotel Prices and San Miguel de Tucuman Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Medellin $4.05
    San Miguel de Tucuman $2.38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin

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


  • Taxi
    $1.61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:

  • Transfer from or to Medellin's airport: $65
  • Transfer from Medellin - Airport OR from Airport - Medellin: $49
  • Transfer airport JMC - Medellin or vice versa - Private : $39
  • Seamless Transfer: JMC (MDE) Airport ↔ El Peñol & Guatapé: $289
  • Private tour transfer from Medellin to JMC airport, or: $25
  • Private Transfer from Medellín City to José María Córdova (MDE) Airport: $69
  • Private Transfer from MDE Airport to Hotels and City of Medellín: $49
  • Private Transfer Jose Marie Cordova Airport to Medellin Bello: $100
  • Private Transfer José María Cordova Airport in Medellín: $38
  • Private Round Transfer to Guatape lakes and Penol rock!: $239
  • Private Medellin MDE airport pick up transfer service one way: $35
  • Private Arrival Transfer : From Airport to Medellín Hotels : $67

Is it cheaper to fly into Medellin or San Miguel de Tucuman?

Prices for flights to both San Miguel de Tucuman and Medellin 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
    Medellin $16
    San Miguel de Tucuman $5.36
Typical Food Prices in Medellin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:


  • Lunch
    $2.05

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin

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

  • Medellín: Comuna 13 True Story and Street Food Tour: $11
  • Medellín: Empanada Cooking Class by Local Chef in Comuna 13: $19
  • Private Empanada Cooking Class in Guatape: $30
  • A night in Medellín: food tour and bars in El Poblado!: $32
  • Laureles Food Tour: $35
  • Medellín: Comuna 13 Street Art and Street Food Tour: $38
  • Food tour with 12 tastings in the best area of Medellin: $40
  • Medellín: Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings (El Poblado): $56
  • Private Night City Tour on Electric Bicycle + Gourmet Dinner: $59
  • Cooking class: Street Food & Mojito making: $60
  • Medellin Night E-Bike Tour with Gourmet Dinner Included: $60
  • Community project cooking class and Medellin social transformation tour: $64

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Medellin $12
    San Miguel de Tucuman $25

Tours and Activities in Medellin

Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Atv or quats Tour adventure Quads tour in MEDELLÍN : $90
  • Comuna 13 + Medellin City Tour: $251
  • Historical Tour in Pablo Escobar : $35
  • Medellin City Private Tour: $85
  • 2 Day Private Jardin Tour with Activities from Medellin: $260
  • 2 Days Medellin autentic Coffee Farm Experience : $225
  • 2 Hour Medellin Off Road ATV Experiences: $160
  • 2-Hours Street Art Walking Tour in Medellin Comuna 13: $24
  • 4-Hour Medellin, Envigado & Sabaneta Three County Tour: $79
  • 4x4 ATV Adventure from Medellin with Scenic Views, Lunch & Pickup: $120
  • 5-Hour Coffee and Pablo Express Mix Tour in Medellín: $140
  • 9-Hour Full Day Tour of Pablo Escobar Including C13, Museum and Barrio PE: $245

Tours and Activities in San Miguel de Tucuman

For San Miguel de Tucuman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Entrance ticket to Aerial Park, Zip Line and Palestra: $27
  • Yungas Half-Day Tour from Tucuman: $71
  • Discover Tafí del Valle and Quilmes Ruins in a Day Tour: $110
  • Rio Hondo Hot Springs Full Day Tour from Tucuman: $110

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Medellin $7.04
    San Miguel de Tucuman $7.99

Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin

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

  • Pub Crawl in El Poblado with Drinks, Games and VIP: $7.50
  • Medellin Pub Crawl in El Poblado with Drinks Games and VIP: $12
  • Guided Medellin Pub Crawl: $18
  • The Medellin Pub Crawl: $20
  • Rooftop Bar Crawl with VIP Access & Hidden Clubs: $27
  • Live the Nightlife Rooftop Pub Crawl : $49
  • Medellín Nightlife: Rooftop Bar Crawl: $85
  • Night Out Gay Bar Crawl in Medellin: $130
  • NightOUT Medellin Gay Bar Crawl: $150
  • Medellin LGBTQ Rooftop Bar Crawl: $150
  • Medellín Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks: $175


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Medellin and San Miguel de Tucuman, we can see that San Miguel de Tucuman is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Medellin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Medellin 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 San Miguel de Tucuman would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Miguel de Tucuman than you might in Medellin.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Medellin Expensive? and Is San Miguel de Tucuman Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Medellin or San Miguel de Tucuman?

Medellin has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Miguel de Tucuman. When comparing the sizes of Medellin and San Miguel de Tucuman, 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.