How much does it cost to travel to Cochabamba?
You should plan to spend around $63 ($b436) per day on your vacation in Cochabamba. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $22 ($b153) on meals
- $16 ($b113) on local transportation
- $49 ($b342) on hotels
A one week trip to Cochabamba for two people costs, on average, $881 ($b6,098). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Cochabamba has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Cochabamba expensive to visit?
Cochabamba is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Bolivia, which is a reasonably affordable country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 10% of cities in the country for its overall travel expenses. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within South America, Cochabamba is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Paracas or Punta Arenas.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Cochabamba Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Cochabamba?
The average Cochabamba trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Cochabamba travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
$b342
($49)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$b113
($16)
|
|
Food 2
|
$b153
($22)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$b174
($25)
|
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|
Alcohol 2
|
$b50 -
151
($7 - 22)
|
Accommodation Budget in Cochabamba
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Cochabamba is $25 ($b171). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Cochabamba is $49 ($b342). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Cochabamba? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Cochabamba
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Cochabamba is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $16 ($b113) per person, per day, on local transportation in Cochabamba.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$16
$b113
How much does it cost to go to Cochabamba? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Cochabamba will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Cochabamba
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Cochabamba can vary, the average cost of food in Cochabamba is $22 ($b153) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Cochabamba should cost around $8.87 ($b61) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Cochabamba is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$22
$b153
Entertainment Budget in Cochabamba
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Cochabamba typically cost an average of $25 ($b174) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$25
$b174
Alcohol Budget in Cochabamba
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $15 ($b101) on alcoholic beverages in Cochabamba per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$15
$b101
Water Budget in Cochabamba
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $0.62 ($b4.27) on bottled water in Cochabamba per day. The public water in Cochabamba is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$0.62
$b4.27
Cochabamba On a Budget
Cochabamba, Bolivia
With a population of about 630,000, Cochabamba is the fourth largest city in Bolivia. It's located about 240 kilometers from the capital city of La Paz and is surrounded by mountains, but sits within a valley.
The city is known for its gardens and has many sights to offer the visitor. Cochabamba offers a calming retreat that is a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of many South American cities. It's a great location to learn Spanish and there are plenty of activities and cultural events that you can enjoy in and around town.
Cochabamba's climate is semi-arid. There is an extended dry season between May and October and the wet season is from November to March. The days are warm and the nights are cool.
Sights
There are a handful of great sights around Cochabamba. Head to Cristo de la Concordia, the city's famed statue of Jesus, which overlooks the area. Simon I Patino Cultural Center has many mansions, gardens, and museums worth visiting. Also popular with visitors are the Museum of Natural History, the Medical Museum, and the Museum of Archaeology.
Neighborhoods
Cochabamba has many different neighborhoods with interesting character. The area continues to grow with Bolivian nationals, expats, and foreigners alike. Some of the most historic and affluent neighborhoods in the city include Cala Cala, El Mirador, and Lomas de Aranjuez. These areas have impressive architecture and residences.
You'll find no shortage of budget accommodation around town. Quality is variable so read reviews before you make a reservation, but generally the hostels are comfortable and welcoming. The city caters specifically to expats, so long term and luxury accommodation are also readily available throughout the city.
Activities
The city is also well known for its paragliding opportunities. You can easily take a class and try it first hand. A full length beginner's class will take about ten days, but it is the cheapest option you will find anywhere in the world. You can expect two hours of classroom work, and four hours of practice daily and the course includes twelve solo flights.
There are a variety of volunteering opportunities in Cochabamba as well. Sustainable Bolivia coordinates volunteers and local grassroots organizations in the city. They also offer Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara classes. Instituto para el Desarrollo Humano is a social justice organization that also works with volunteers in the area.
Spanish lessons are popular in the city as well. There is a large expat community and social activities are well organized. This is a pleasant city to spend an extended amount of time, and there is plenty to do to keep you entertained. There is also a well established weekly language and culture exchange every Tuesday. The event is free of charge and is a great way to meet other expats in the area.
Food and Dining
Cochabamba claims to have the best food in Bolivia and many visitors agree. The city is in close proximity to much of the country's agriculture so food is fresh and plentiful. You'll find no shortage of restaurant options around town and there are a diversity of price options for travelers. Food is often delicious, so your best bet is to wander around town until you see a place that appeals to you. There are also plenty of bars around town to pick up a drink. Most of the interesting ones can be found on 25 de Mayo and Espana close to Plaza Colon. The Cochabamba region is also thought to have the country's best chicha. Chicha is a fermented corn based drink, although it is sometimes made with peaches.
Transportation
Cochabamba's airport is Jorge Wilstermann International Airport. It is well connected with other large cities in Bolivia and flights are usually affordable.
The bus terminal is about 6 blocks south of the center. From there you can catch buses to La Paz, Santa Cruz, Sucre, Potosi, Tupiza, and Samaipata, among other destinations.
Once you're in town there are buses (micros), mini-vans (trufis), and shared cabs (taxi-trufis) that you can take along fixed routes. You must request that the driver stop by saying "me bajo", "voy a bajar", or "esquina".
Taxis are relatively easy to find. Taxi drivers are usually honest, but it is always best to agree on a price before you get in the vehicle.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.