Is Argentina or Peru cheaper?

They sit in a similar bracket — roughly under $35–130/day in Argentina, under $35–65/day in Peru.

When is the best time to visit Argentina vs Peru?

Argentina is at its best in October–March; Peru peaks in May–October.

Is Argentina or Peru better in August?

Peru is the better of the two in August. Argentina has the edge in January, February, March, November, December, Peru in May, June, July, August, September, and both are at their best in October.

How long do you need in Argentina vs Peru?

Plan 2–8 weeks for Argentina and 2–5 for Peru.

Should I choose Argentina or Peru?

Pick Argentina if you want somewhere stronger for food, nightlife, more urban / city-focused. Pick Peru if you want somewhere stronger for history, adventure. Both deliver on culture, nature, so on those either works.

Argentina vs Peru

Two strong destinations, different in important ways. Here's the side-by-side, then a verdict on which suits which traveler.

South America

Argentina

Buenos Aires has the best steakhouses and nightlife in South America.

Best time to visit

January: peak
February: peak
March: peak
April: fine
May: fine
June: avoid
July: avoid
August: avoid
September: fine
October: peak
November: peak
December: peak

Peak Fine Avoid

South America

Peru

Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Lima's food scene, and the Amazon.

Best time to visit

January: avoid
February: avoid
March: fine
April: fine
May: peak
June: peak
July: peak
August: peak
September: peak
October: peak
November: fine
December: avoid

Peak Fine Avoid

Read our full guides about Argentina and Peru.

Side by side

Emphasised where they differ. Muted rows are much the same either way.

	Argentina	Peru
Best time	October–March	May–October
Climate	mild	mild
Budget	Backpacker – Mid-range · under $35–130/day	Backpacker – Budget · under $35–65/day
Trip length	2–8 wks	2–5 wks
Visa	Visa-free for most Western passports (90 days).	Visa-free for most Western passports (90 days).
Currency	ARS (Peso). Bring USD cash for "blue rate" exchange.	PEN (Sol). Roughly 3.7 PEN ≈ 1 USD.
Language	Spanish. Limited English outside Buenos Aires tourism.	Spanish (Quechua in highlands). Limited English.
Tap water	Tap water safe in Buenos Aires.	Tap water not safe.
Safety	Generally safe. Pickpocketing in Buenos Aires.	Generally safe in tourism. Altitude sickness in Cusco is the bigger concern.

General guidance — visas, safety, and health change, so check your government's travel advisory and the official sources before you go.

Argentina or Peru, month by month

Which of the two is the better bet for each month of the year, scored on how well the season suits each place.

Which to choose

Choose Argentina if:

You want somewhere stronger for food, nightlife.
You want somewhere more urban / city-focused.

Choose Peru if:

You want somewhere stronger for history, adventure.

Both deliver on culture, nature — so on those dimensions either works.

Common questions

Is Argentina or Peru cheaper?: They sit in a similar bracket — roughly under $35–130/day in Argentina, under $35–65/day in Peru.
When is the best time to visit Argentina vs Peru?: Argentina is at its best in October–March; Peru peaks in May–October.
Is Argentina or Peru better in August?: Peru is the better of the two in August. Argentina has the edge in January, February, March, November, December, Peru in May, June, July, August, September, and both are at their best in October.
How long do you need in Argentina vs Peru?: Plan 2–8 weeks for Argentina and 2–5 for Peru.
Should I choose Argentina or Peru?: Pick Argentina if you want somewhere stronger for food, nightlife, more urban / city-focused. Pick Peru if you want somewhere stronger for history, adventure. Both deliver on culture, nature, so on those either works.