Which place is cheaper, Lake Titicaca (Puno) or Asuncion?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Asuncion or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Asuncion or Lake Titicaca (Puno), 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
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.
Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Lake Titicaca, which directly translates to "puma stone" in Quechua, is located high in the Andes Mountains straddling Peru and Bolivia, with about 60% of the lake in Peru and 40% in Bolivia. Among the lake are three main islands, the most popular of which are the Uros Islands, also known as the floating islands, where the Uros people live on totora reeds that grow in the lake.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Peru, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lima.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAsuncion $67Lake Titicaca (Puno) $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Asuncion is $67, while the average daily cost in Lake Titicaca (Puno) is $54. 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAsuncion $22Lake Titicaca (Puno) $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAsuncion $44Lake Titicaca (Puno) $50
Compare Hotels in Asuncion and Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Looking for a hotel in Asuncion or Lake Titicaca (Puno)? 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Asuncion $8.62Lake Titicaca (Puno) $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Asuncion
Also for Asuncion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in Private Car from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $17
- Transfer in private car from Asuncion City - Asuncion Airport (ASU): $17
- Transfer in private minivan from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $23
- Transfer in private minivan Asuncion City - Silvio Pettirosi Airport (ASU): $23
- RoundTrip Private Transfer Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $33
- RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $46
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
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Taxi$0.79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
- Puno Arrival Transfer from bus or railway Station: $14
- Puno Airport Shared Transfer: $20
- Private transfer airport-puno-viceverse: $60
- Private Transfer from Puno to Frontera Kasani: $205
- Private Transfer from Puno to Desaguadero: $196
- Private Transfer from Puerto de Puno to Hotel Puno: $21
- Private Transfer From Puno to Oruro with English Speaking Driver: $245
- Private Transfer From Puno to Oruro With a Stop in Lake Titicaca: $290
- Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay, English Speaking Driver: $212
- Private Transfer From Puno to Arequipa with English Speaking Driver: $266
- Juliaca Airport Private Transfer to/from Puno city: $44
Is it cheaper to fly into Asuncion or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Prices for flights to both Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 $17Lake Titicaca (Puno) $15
Typical Food Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
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Tamales$1.45
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Asuncion $16Lake Titicaca (Puno) $29
Tours and Activities in Asuncion
For Asuncion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Asuncion : Custom Walking Tour with A Guide (Private Tour): $34
- Walking Tour with a Local in Asuncion "The Mother of Cities": $35
- Asunción Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Asuncion Birding Tour: $70
- Crystal Fall - day tour in a reduced group: $76
- Golden Triangle Tour: $110
- Cultural City 3 Hour Tour in Asuncion by Bus: $115
- Birding and Nature Chaco Tour: $140
- Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour from Asunción: $160
- Half-Day Yparacai Lake Tour from Asuncion with Pick Up: $185
- Day tour “Circuito San Bernardino”: $214
- Day tour “Circuito Sapucai”: $221
Tours and Activities in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
- 2 Day Tour to Uros, Amantani and Taquile from Puno: $65
- 2 Days and One Night Tour on the Aymara Route and Churches in Juli: $90
- 2-Day Amantani Homestay Including Kayak Experience: $233
- 2-Day Lake Titicaca Tour with Stay in a Local Family Home: $109
- 2-Day Tour Uros Islands with Stay in a Local Family House from Puno: $109
- 3 Hour Guided Kayaking Tour in Lake Titicaca: $50
- 3-day Classic Puno Tour Package: $226
- 3h Boat Tour to Uros Island from Puno: $36
- 4h Tour to Sillustani Inca Ruins: $26
- A Full Day Tour View: Uros and Taquile Islands on the Titicaca Lake from Puno: $50
- Andean Homestay Connection 2 Days Cultural Experience: $89
- Full Day Guided Tour of the Aymara Route from Puno: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAsuncion $10Lake Titicaca (Puno) $13
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$1.20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asuncion and Lake Titicaca (Puno), we can see that Asuncion is more expensive. And not only is Lake Titicaca (Puno) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lake Titicaca (Puno) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno).
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asuncion Expensive? and Is Lake Titicaca (Puno) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Asuncion or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Asuncion has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Lake Titicaca (Puno). When comparing the sizes of Asuncion and Lake Titicaca (Puno), 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.