Overview
- With transport and insurance included, a two‑week total for a family of four is estimated at US$4,916 in Mar del Plata, US$5,901 in Santiago, and US$6,249 in Rio de Janeiro.
- Punta del Este and Cancún rank among the most expensive on a total‑trip basis at US$10,390 and US$11,538, with Miami reaching US$16,004.
- When only in‑destination spending is measured, Rio de Janeiro is the cheapest at US$3,803, while Mar del Plata totals US$4,816, flipping the ranking once travel is excluded.
- The comparison adds round‑trip flights for four and international medical insurance to foreign destinations, versus a car trip for Mar del Plata, which largely explains the cost gap.
- Year over year, Mar del Plata’s in‑destination basket fell 30% in dollar terms, while Punta del Este rose 11% and Rio 12%, as beach travel interest stays strong and hotels account for about 70% of lodging searches in 2025.