Is Tilcara expensive to visit?
In Tilcara, budget travelers spend $40 (AR$47,315) per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $97 (AR$114,883) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $221 (AR$262,446) per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to Tilcara.
Tilcara is a smaller destination that attracts a broad range of travelers, encompassing various travel styles, spending practices, and budget options. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
Tilcara can become quite costly if you let it, but there are ways to save money, such as looking for discounts and coupons.
Within South America, Tilcara is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Cajamarca or Temuco.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Tilcara Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Tilcara?
The average Tilcara trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Tilcara travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Tilcara cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Setting realistic expectations for your travel budget is important. Many people assume they can visit Tilcara on a minimal budget, but most find that style of travel to be uncomfortable. Think about what makes a vacation enjoyable for you. Do you like staying in budget hostels, regular hotels, or high-end resorts? Do you want to experience the local attractions? Do you enjoy dining out? Your budget and itinerary will be determined by your answers to these questions.
What is a budget traveler, anyway?
While you might think you're a budget traveler, without giving up many of your usual comforts, you'll likely need to spend more than the $40 per day that backpackers often spend.
Backpackers often work within this tight budget by staying in hostel dorms, eating fast food or street food, using public transit, and mainly visiting free attractions.
Fortunately, you'll find plenty of hostels in Tilcara, such as Casa Los Molles, La Albahaca Hostel, and Apapacho Hostel. These hostels provide inexpensive dormitory lodging and a friendly atmosphere, but amenities are quite limited.
Are You Considered an Average Traveler?
Couples and families enjoying a vacation will probably want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at popular dining spots, and explore the key museums and attractions that have entry fees. A trip to Tilcara wouldn't be complete without visiting its major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. Keep in mind that most activities cost money. Thus, it's reasonable to expect your daily budget to be around $97 per person, per day.
There are plenty of hotels and vacation rentals available in Tilcara. If you're traveling with companions, sharing a hotel with a partner, friend, or kids can help lower costs. Families should seek out hotels and dining options that are suitable for children. Las Marias Hotel Boutique is a wonderful family-friendly hotel, and Las Terrazas Hotel Boutique is another excellent choice. For more family and couple-oriented hotels, visit our hotel cost guide for Tilcara here.
Want to Escape the Daily Grind in Style?
If you're looking for a higher-end vacation filled with high-end amenities and exceptional service, plan for a daily expense of approximately $221. Staying at nicer hotels, savoring meals at top-rated restaurants, splurging on lavish outings, and utilizing taxis or private drivers in the destination means you'll need a more luxurious budget.
Accommodation Budget in Tilcara
In Tilcara, the price of hotels can really surprise you. Some are much more expensive, offering higher luxury and amenities. Peak season rates soar, with off-season averages around $94 and peak season rising to an average of $175. Prices typically range from $44 to $340, but hostels remain cheaper, especially in dorms. To save money, book during the low season or take advantage of special promotions and advance deals.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Tilcara for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $157 (AR$186,717). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $79 (AR$93,358) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Tilcara? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Tilcara include:
- Las Marias Hotel Boutique starting at $162
- Las Terrazas Hotel Boutique starting at $129
- Vientonorte starting at $132
- HTL Patio Alto starting at $151
- Villa del Cielo starting at $141
Choosing to travel outside of and in the low or shoulder season will give you lower hotel prices and less tourist congestion.
Transportation Budget in Tilcara
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $3.85 (AR$4,568) per person, per day, on local transportation in Tilcara. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Tilcara is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$3.85
AR$4,568
There are two ways to reach Tilcara, by bus or by car. There are three buses leaving every day from Buenos Aires, usually two in the afternoon and during night-time and the journey lasts 24h. There are also many buses leaving from Salta, which will bring you to Tilcara in 4 to 5 hours. If you are already travelling in the region, you can also easily take a bus from Humahuaca. There are buses leaving every hour, from 6h30 to 22h10. The same applies to, Jujuy, with buses leaving every 30 minutes, from 6h to 23h.
A few of the typical hotel transfers and transportation services include:
- Solar Train of the Quebrada de Humahuaca: Ticket and Transfer for $170 details
How much does it cost to go to Tilcara? 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 Tilcara 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 Tilcara
Food is a major attraction for travelers, so make sure you don't miss out on the local culinary delights.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Tilcara can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Tilcara is $9.22 (AR$10,949) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$9.22
AR$10,949
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Tilcara is around $9 (AR$10949) per person, with previous travelers spending from $4 to $18. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Tilcara are as follows:
- Breakfast: $1 to $3
- Lunch: $1 to $4
- Dinner: $3 to $6
- Coffee: $1
- Fast Food or Street Food: $1
Because Tilcara is the major touristic centre of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, you will find many restaurants in town serving simple to more elaborated food including Western cuisine but mostly specialized in Andean food. You must try out some of the local Andean specialties, which are very different from Argentinian cuisine. Some typical dishes are quinoa, papas andinas, llama stew, empanadas jujenas, sweetened pumpkin, sopa de mani (peanut soup) and a spicy tomato spread.
Numerous hotels offer breakfast as part of the room rate, but some might charge extra for it. The cost and quality can differ from one hotel to another. Being aware of this beforehand can help you determine if you need to allocate additional funds. It could be worth it for a fantastic buffet at the hotel, or you might want to opt for a nearby bakery or cafe that's more budget-friendly.
Carry your own water bottle instead of spending on drinks. It's also a positive step for the environment.
If you're thinking about taking a tour, it's wise to check in advance which meals are covered. You may need to cover some of your own food costs, which could increase your overall budget.
If you want to experience the culture in Tilcara, a food tour or cooking class is a great way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- Northern Argentine cooking experience for $70 details
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Tilcara
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Tilcara typically cost an average of $28 (AR$33,168) 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.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$28
AR$33,168
One block away from the main square of Tilcara is the Iglesias de la Virgen del Rosario y San Francisco de Asis. Built in 1797 and renovated in 1865, the church is rather unique in the region for its important size and its two bell towers. After exploring the small town, you can walk in 15 minutes to the Pucara de Tilcara, a fortress on the top of a hill from the pre-Columbian era that was renovated by archaeologists of the university of Buenos Aires. The fortress forms a series of labyrinthine stones houses. It is opened every day from 9h to 19h and until 18h in winter with a break from 12h to 14h. The entry is free on Mondays and costs USD$3.20 during the rest of the week; it includes entrance to the Museo Arqueologico. You can also access the fortress by car. You will find a small botanical garden at the entrance of the fortress, which holds the famous piedra campana, a weird looking rock shaped like a bell. Also, if you decide to visit Tilcara, hiking to The Garganta del Diablo is a must. It is the most famous hike near Tilcara (USD$1 to access the main site). You will need to count 4 km by foot and 8km by car to reach the car park of the Garganta del Diablo and then 2 hours of hiking to reach a beautiful waterfall found in a hollow of the canyon. Another option is to visit the Cuevas del Waira, on inscription with the tourist office, which organizes departures every day at 9h and 15h from the office for USD$13. Only 4 km away from Tilcara, you will find these impressive caves in which you will walk about 4 hours with lanterns and accompanied by a specialized guide.
There are three great museums worth visiting in Tilcara. First, the Museo Arqueologico, which is opened every day from 9h to 18h and until 19h in high season and has an entry fee of USD$3.20 per person (free on Mondays) that also includes the entrance to the pucara. The museum holds an important archaeological collection that shows the evolution of the popular culture of the region. Jewelry, masks, mortuary vases, pre-Columbian stone houses with family vaults and many other objects of the Argentinian, Peruvian, Chilean and Bolivian culture are exposed at the Museo Arqueologico of Tilcara. Otherwise, if you wish to learn more about the sculptor of the XX century, Soto Avendano, who made the famous Heroes of the Independence of Humahuaca, you should definitely have a look around the Museo Soto Avendano. Opened from Wednesday to Sunday, from 9h to 13h and 15h to 18h, the entrance is only USD$0.50. Finally, we recommend that you visit the Museo Regional de Pintura Jose Antonio Terry, where you will discover the artist's work including portraits of women and Andean scenes, in his own house. You will see the studio in which he worked and a few of his personal objects. The museum opens from Tuesday to Saturday from 9h to 19h and on Sunday from 9h to 12h and 14h to 18h.
A nice way to explore destinations in Tilcara is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Bike Adventure through Juella with lunch for $35 details
- Purmamarca Night Experience for $30 details
- Full-Day Tour to Laguna de los Pozuelos from Tilcara for $240 details
Tilcara, Argentina
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.