Which place is cheaper, Salta or San Pedro La Laguna?
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 Pedro La Laguna or Salta?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Pedro La Laguna 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 Pedro La Laguna or Salta?
San Pedro La Laguna
Located in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, Lake Atitlan is a beautiful volcanic lake ringed by small towns and villages that are highly frequented by backpackers. Panajachal is one of the best known of the towns, as well as the main entry point of the region, while others like San Pedro La Laguna are quieter and more off the beaten path. Lake Atitlan and its villages attract visitors for its scenic beauty, outdoor activities, and Mayan culture nearby.
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 Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Eco Tours in Guatemala, The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, and The Best Eco Tours in Argentina.
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San Pedro La Laguna Prices
Guatemala PricesSalta Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Pedro La Laguna $45Salta $45
The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro La Laguna is $45, 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 Pedro La Laguna and Salta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Pedro La Laguna $8.34Salta $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Pedro La Laguna $17Salta $62
Compare Hotels in San Pedro La Laguna and Salta
Looking for a hotel in San Pedro La Laguna 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: Salta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Pedro La Laguna $13Salta $3.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro La Laguna
Also for San Pedro La Laguna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer from Panajachel Atitlan to Guatemala City: $47
- Private transfer from Panajachel to Antigua Guatemala: $65
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 Pedro La Laguna or Salta?
Prices for flights to both Salta and San Pedro La Laguna 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 Pedro La Laguna $19Salta $5.41
Typical Food Prices in San Pedro La Laguna
For San Pedro La Laguna, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lemonade$2.09
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Cake$1.30
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Ice cream$0.39
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Hot Cocoa & Banana Bread$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro La Laguna
For San Pedro La Laguna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Temazcal sauna and dinner, cultural sharing experience: $44
- Maya Cooking Class from Panajachel: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Pedro La Laguna $22Salta $27
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Pedro La Laguna
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro La Laguna's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Canopy Tour (for 2)$39
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Kayaking (for 2)$1.96
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Coffee Tour (for 2)$7.04
Tours and Activities in San Pedro La Laguna
For San Pedro La Laguna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Lake Atitlan Boat tour from Puerto Quetzal (Group): $125
- 5-Hour Private Birdwatching Experience in San Juan La Laguna: $50
- Authentic local experience with a community of women: $74
- Authentic tour of Mayan art and culture in Lake Atitlan: $42
- Beading Class and tour a Non-profit vocational training center a Fun cultural sharing experience: $28
- Bicycle Tour Around Lake Atitlan with Weaving Coops and Coffee Plantations: $112
- Boat tour in Mayan villages: $85
- Chichicastenango Market Day Tour from Panajachel: $96
- Coffee Tour in Lake Atitlán: $35
- Full Day Tour to Chichicastenango from Panajachel : $160
- Half-Day Private Indian Nose Peak Tour from Lake Atitlan: $140
- Half-Day Scenic Bicycle Tour from Panajachel: $71
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 Pedro La Laguna $5.65Salta $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 comparing the travel costs between San Pedro La Laguna and Salta, we can see that Salta is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though San Pedro La Laguna is in Central America and Salta is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Pedro La Laguna Expensive? and Is Salta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Pedro La Laguna or Salta?
Salta has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of San Pedro La Laguna. When comparing the sizes of San Pedro La Laguna 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.