Which place is cheaper, Salta or San Cristobal de Las Casas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit San Cristobal de Las Casas or Salta?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Cristobal de Las Casas or Salta? 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: San Cristobal de Las Casas or Salta?
San Cristobal de Las Casas
Far away from the luxuries of Cancun and Cabo, Mexico's San Cristobal de las Casas is a stunning colonial city located in the southern state of Chiapas. Due to its strategic location, the town is commonly used as a transfer point for travelers looking to cross the border between Guatemala and Mexico. San Cristobal also has an immensely strong appeal among budget-minded travelers as it's one of Mexico's most affordable cities.
Salta
Located in the heart of the famous Northwest region of Argentina, at 1200m of elevation and at the foot of the Cerro San Bernardo, Salta is the largest city of the region and perhaps the most beautiful colonial city of Argentina. Founded in 1582 by the Spanish, Salta was an important stop for merchants who followed the usual trade road through Bolivia and Peru. Argentines call this city nestled in the foothills of the Andes and surrounded by mountains, of just over half a million inhabitants, Salta La Linda (Salta the Beautiful) and it's easy to see why. Young and traditional at the same time, Salta and its renowned museums, plaza side cafes and live musica folklorica of its bustling penas, is a sophisticated and lively city day and night.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, and The Best Eco Tours in Argentina.
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San Cristobal de Las Casas Prices
Mexico PricesSalta Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Cristobal de Las Casas $107Salta $45
The average daily cost (per person) in San Cristobal de Las Casas is $107, while the average daily cost in Salta is $45. 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas and Salta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Cristobal de Las Casas $42Salta $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Cristobal de Las Casas $84Salta $62
Compare Hotels in San Cristobal de Las Casas and Salta
Looking for a hotel in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Salta? 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: San Cristobal de Las Casas Hotel Prices and Salta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Cristobal de Las Casas $29Salta $3.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Cristobal de Las Casas
Also for San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Hotel in San Cristobal de las Casas to TGZ Airport: $53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salta
Also for Salta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Salta Airport: $7.19
- Shared Transfer from Downtown Hotels in Salta to Airport: $12
- Saver Combo: Cafayate, Cachi, Salt Fields, Transfers and Walking: $184
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip SLA Airport Transfer: $8.00
- Private 1-Way or Round Trip SLA Airport Transfer: $56
- One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $5.50
- Cafayate Wine Tour with Tastings and Transfers: $150
- Salta City Tour & Round Trip Transfers airport - hotel: $109
- Salta Airport Shuttle Transfer: $15
- Salta Airport One-Way or Round-Trip Transfers: $45
- Humahuaca, 7-color Hill & round trip transfers airport - hotel in Salta: $167
- From Salinas and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $99
Is it cheaper to fly into San Cristobal de Las Casas or Salta?
Prices for flights to both Salta and San Cristobal de Las Casas 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 daySan Cristobal de Las Casas $37Salta $5.41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Cristobal de Las Casas
For San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- City Tour with Dinner Pizza and Wine: $71
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Cristobal de Las Casas $13Salta $27
Tours and Activities in San Cristobal de Las Casas
For San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adventure through the Grottos del Arcotete, and Rancho Nuevo: $39
- Adventure to the Sumidero Canyon Viewpoints and Chiapa de Corzo: $42
- Bike Tour Chiapas Indigenous Peoples: $61
- Canyoning El Chorreadero Cave- Adventure Chiapas: $156
- Food Walking Tour San Cristobal de las Casas: $71
- From San Cristobal : Sima Tour of the Cotorras and El Aguacero: $112
- From San Cristobal Tour to Agua Azul, Misol Ha and Palenque: $83
- Full Day Tour of Montebello Lakes and El Chiflon Waterfall: $60
- Full-Day Sumidero Canyon Tour with Boat Cruise from San Cristóbal de las Casas: $84
- Maya Cultural Tour From San Cristobal: Chamula, Zinacantan: $45
- Montebello Lakes and Chiflon Waterfalls Tour: $48
- Palenque Archaelogical Site, Agua Azul and Misolha Waterfalls Combo Tour: $105
Tours and Activities in Salta
For Salta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Full-Day Tour to Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca From Salta: $38
- 2-Day Tour to Cachi and Los Cardones National Park: $57
- 3 Day Tour from Salta to Cachi, Humahuaca and Salinas Grandes: $88
- Adventure in the North: Pack of 4 Excursions + Hornocal: $132
- Best of Guided City Tour: $43
- Cachi Full Day Tour with Los Cardones National Park: $34
- Exclusive day-long private tour of Cafayate vineyards: $278
- From Salta 3 Day Tour to Cafayate Humahuaca and Salinas Grandes: $88
- From Cachi and Los Cardones National Park Tour: $30
- From City Tour of the city on a half-day ride: $20
- From Full-Day Scenic Tour to Cachi: $30
- From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate, Land of Wines: $31
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Cristobal de Las Casas $27Salta $5.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Salta
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Salta:
- Cafayate: Full-day tour of wineries and wine tasting: $29
- Full-day Cafayate, Lerma Valley, and Wine Tasting from Salta: $30
- From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate with Wine Tasting: $30
- From Cafayate Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $40
- Half Day Wine Tasting in Salta: $147
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Cristobal de Las Casas and Salta, we can see that San Cristobal de Las Casas is more expensive. And not only is Salta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Cristobal de Las Casas is in North America and Salta is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Salta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salta 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 Cristobal de Las Casas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Cristobal de Las Casas than you might in Salta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Cristobal de Las Casas Expensive? and Is Salta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Cristobal de Las Casas or Salta?
Salta has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of San Cristobal de Las Casas. When comparing the sizes of San Cristobal de Las Casas and Salta, 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.
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.