A Travel Price Comparison for Argentina Puerto Madryn vs. Cordoba for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Puerto Madryn or Cordoba?

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

Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Cordoba? 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: Puerto Madryn or Cordoba?

Puerto Madryn

Puerto Madryn is mostly known as the gateway to Peninsula Valdes, welcoming tourists who come for whale watching. The Peninsula Valdes is a nature reserve designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site; 97 km long and 63 km wide, it is connected to the continent by an isthmus of 35 km from which we can see both gulfs, San Jose at north and the Nuevo at south.

Cordoba

Cordoba is the capital of the Cordoba province and the second largest city in all of Argentina. The city is in a beautiful setting surrounded by valleys and hills. Within the city you will find many colonial buildings and beautiful architecture. Cordoba also has many universities and scientific institutes, giving it the nickname "La Docta." Because of the large number of students, Cordoba's population is young and active, which keeps the atmosphere light and fun.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Argentina, The Best 3-Week Tours in Argentina, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires.


Which place is cheaper, Cordoba or Puerto Madryn?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Madryn is $14, while the average daily cost in Cordoba is $8.53. 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 Puerto Madryn and Cordoba in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Puerto Madryn $5.33
    Cordoba $3.10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Puerto Madryn $11
    Cordoba $6.20
Compare Hotels in Puerto Madryn and Cordoba

Looking for a hotel in Puerto Madryn or Cordoba? 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 Puerto Madryn


Hotels in Cordoba


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: Puerto Madryn Hotel Prices and Cordoba Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Puerto Madryn $3.33
    Cordoba $2.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Madryn

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:

  • From Punta Tombo Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $92
  • Trelew Airport Shuttle Transfer To Puerto Madryn : $36

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cordoba

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cordoba are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.01

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cordoba

Also for Cordoba, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer in private minivan from Cordoba to Ingeniero Ambrosio Taravella Airport: $61

Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Madryn or Cordoba?

Prices for flights to both Cordoba and Puerto Madryn 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
    Puerto Madryn $5.78
    Cordoba $3.89

Typical Food Prices in Cordoba

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Cordoba:


  • Empanadas
    $0.01
  • Sandwich
    $0.00
  • Ice Cream
    $0.00

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Puerto Madryn $5.86
    Cordoba $1.91
Typical Entertainment Prices in Puerto Madryn

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Puerto Madryn are as follows:


  • Whale Watching for Two
    $0.35

Tours and Activities in Puerto Madryn

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

  • 4 x 4 experience around Puerto Madryn: $100
  • City Tour and Sea Lions at Punta Loma from Puerto Madryn: $75
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Ea San Lorenzo Peninsula Valdes - Patagonia - Argentina: $229
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Peninsula Valdes - Pto Madryn - Patagonia - Argentina: $119
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Punta Tombo - Tickets included - Puerto Madryn Patagonia: $129
  • Excursion to Punta Loma and Puerto Madryn for Cruisers: $60
  • From City Tour and Punta Loma Tour: $70
  • From Penguin Tour & Península Valdés Day Trip: $153
  • From Valdes Peninsula Full-Day Tour: $203
  • Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience: $90
  • Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience - optional Whale Watching : $87
  • Full Day Punta Tombo - Walking Among Penguins Experience - Madryn: $87

Tours and Activities in Cordoba

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cordoba.

  • Traditional Córdoba CityTour x 2 Pax: $45
  • Exploring Villa Carlos Paz: Guided Sightseeing Tour: $50
  • Alta Gracia: Unveiling Cordoba's Cultural Heritage Tour: $50
  • Cordoba City Tour: $50
  • Private Cordoba City Tour: $53
  • Córdoba: Villa Carlos Paz Tour: $59
  • Córdoba CityTour FULLDAY x 2 pax: $60
  • Caroya WineTour x 2 Pax: $60
  • Cordoba City Tour with Optional Jesuitic Square: $62
  • Full Day Tour to Punilla Valley from Cordoba: $75
  • La Cumbrecita and Villa General Belgrano Full Day Tour: $75
  • Full Day Jesuit Legacy Tour from Cordoba: $80

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Puerto Madryn $3.18
    Cordoba $1.51

Sample the Local Flavors in Cordoba

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cordoba:

  • Wine Tour Privado - Colonia Caroya: $120
  • Full-Day Private Colonia Caroya Wine Tour from Córdoba: $121
  • Wine Tour Privado - Calamuchita: $140


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Puerto Madryn Expensive? and Is Cordoba Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Puerto Madryn or Cordoba?

Cordoba has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Puerto Madryn. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Madryn and Cordoba, 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 Puerto Madryn or Cordoba?

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 Puerto Madryn or Cordoba in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Puerto Madryn as well as Cordoba.

In the summer, Puerto Madryn is much warmer than Cordoba. Typically, the summer temperatures in Puerto Madryn in January average around 22°C (71°F), and Cordoba averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Puerto Madryn usually gets less rain in January than Cordoba. Puerto Madryn gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Puerto Madryn 22°C (71°F) 
    Cordoba 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Cordoba in the Autumn?

Both Cordoba and Puerto Madryn are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In April, Puerto Madryn is generally cooler than Cordoba. Daily temperatures in Puerto Madryn average around 14°C (58°F), and Cordoba fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In April, Puerto Madryn usually receives less rain than Cordoba. Puerto Madryn gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F) 
    Cordoba 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Cordoba in the Winter?

Both Cordoba and Puerto Madryn during the winter are popular places to visit.

Puerto Madryn is much colder than Cordoba in the winter. The daily temperature in Puerto Madryn averages around 7°C (45°F) in July, and Cordoba fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Puerto Madryn. In the winter, Puerto Madryn often gets more sunshine than Cordoba. Puerto Madryn gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cordoba receives 189 hours of full sun.

Puerto Madryn usually gets more rain in July than Cordoba. Puerto Madryn gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Puerto Madryn 7°C (45°F) 
    Cordoba 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Cordoba in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto Madryn and Cordoba.

In the spring, Puerto Madryn is cooler than Cordoba. Typically, the spring temperatures in Puerto Madryn in October average around 14°C (58°F), and Cordoba averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In October, Puerto Madryn usually receives less rain than Cordoba. Puerto Madryn gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F) 
    Cordoba 19°C (66°F)

Typical Weather for Cordoba and Puerto Madryn

Puerto Madryn Cordoba
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (71°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 21°C (69°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 11°C (52°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Mar 18°C (64°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 14°C (57°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 14°C (58°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 16°C (61°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 10°C (51°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Jun 7°C (45°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 7°C (45°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Aug 9°C (48°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Sep 11°C (53°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Oct 14°C (58°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 18°C (64°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 14°C (57°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Dec 20°C (68°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)