Which place is cheaper, Cochabamba or Asuncion?
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 Asuncion or Cochabamba?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Asuncion or Cochabamba, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Asuncion or Cochabamba?
Asuncion
Asuncion is a vastly underrated city. It is the capital but also the administrative economic and cultural center of Paraguay. It is located in the south central part of the country, near the border with Argentina and it is one of the oldest cities in South America, with people living here since almost 500 years. The city has a beautiful and simple center, with a few unique colonial and beaux arts buildings, international cuisine, shady plazas and friendly people. Its handful of historic buildings around the Plaza de los Heroes, Plaza Uruguaya and Manzana de la Ribera, two or three small museums, old bars and cafes, but also smart suburbs, ritzy shopping malls and fashionable nightclubs will keep you entertained for a day or two. It is a very charming city for travellers and apart from the sights, the city boasts a good tourist infrastructure with hotels and restaurants.
Cochabamba
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Bolivia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Bolivia.
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Asuncion Prices
Paraguay PricesCochabamba Prices
Bolivia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAsuncion $98Cochabamba $47
The average daily cost (per person) in Asuncion is $98, while the average daily cost in Cochabamba is $47. 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 Asuncion and Cochabamba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAsuncion $27Cochabamba $15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAsuncion $54Cochabamba $30
Compare Hotels in Asuncion and Cochabamba
Looking for a hotel in Asuncion or Cochabamba? 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: Asuncion Hotel Prices and Cochabamba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Asuncion $11Cochabamba $9.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Asuncion
Also for Asuncion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer to Asuncion Airport (ASU): $26
- Private Transfer from Asuncion Airport (ASU): $26
- Silvio Pettirossi Airport to Asuncion Transfers: $50
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Asuncion Airport (ASU): $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cochabamba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cochabamba:
- MiniVan or Suv Transfer from Cochabamba Airport CBB to Cochabamba: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Asuncion or Cochabamba?
Prices for flights to both Cochabamba and Asuncion 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 dayAsuncion $36Cochabamba $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cochabamba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cochabamba.
- Adelante Mujer Bolivian Cooking Workshops: $29
- Bolivian Cooking Class with High-Altitude Wines: $50
- Cochabamba Valle Alto 2-Day Food Tour: $355
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Asuncion $20Cochabamba $15
Tours and Activities in Asuncion
For Asuncion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tour of Asunción History and Culture in the Center: $20
- Asuncion Highlights Walking Tour with a Guide: $30
- Asuncion Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $30
- Asunción Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Walking Tour with a Local in Asuncion "The Mother of Cities": $35
- Asuncion : Custom Walking Tour with A Guide (Private Tour): $37
- VIP Transportation and Custom Tours in Paraguay: $50
- Asuncion Birding Tour: $100
- Birding and Nature Chaco Tour: $160
- Cultural City 3 Hour Tour in Asuncion by Bus: $180
- Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour from Asunción: $180
- Full day Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour: $230
Tours and Activities in Cochabamba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cochabamba are as follows:
- 2-Day, 1-Night Tour: Toro Toro with Caves, Footprints, and Canyons: $270
- City of Eternal Spring: Self-Guided Tour of Downtown Cochabamba: $5.99
- City Highlights Walking Tour groups: $65
- Full-Day 9-Site Heritage Walking Tour with Guide: $84
- Full-Day Valle Alto Tour: Cochabamba: $105
- Incallajta and Torora-Cochabamba Tour: $352
- Shopping tour + history: Cochabamba: $59
- Toro Toro: A full-day tour from Cochabamba: $210
- Torotoro: 2-Day, 1-Night Tour from Cochabamba: $160
- Tour to Valle Alto (Tarata): $82
- Tropical Experience 2 days and 1 night: Villa Tunari Cochabamba: $340
- Walking tour in Cochabamba not your average: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAsuncion $13Cochabamba $8.72
Typical Alcohol Prices in Asuncion
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Asuncion are as follows:
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Beer$1.49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asuncion and Cochabamba, we can see that Asuncion is more expensive. And not only is Cochabamba much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cochabamba would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cochabamba and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Asuncion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Asuncion than you might in Cochabamba.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asuncion Expensive? and Is Cochabamba Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Asuncion or Cochabamba?
Asuncion has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Cochabamba. When comparing the sizes of Asuncion and Cochabamba, 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.