Should you visit Asuncion or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Asuncion or Lake Titicaca (Puno), this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Lake Titicaca (Puno) or Asuncion?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Asuncion is $59, while the average daily cost in Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Asuncion and Lake Titicaca (Puno) in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Asuncion can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $19, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $38.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $40 for a double occupancy room in Lake Titicaca (Puno).
Food
In Asuncion travelers spend around $15 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
On average, meal and food prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno) cost around $16 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $6.40.
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Food
Meals for one day
Asuncion $15
Lake Titicaca (Puno) $16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Asuncion
For Asuncion, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Asunción Dinner and Show Experience:
$93
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Private Tour: Asuncion at Night with Dinner Show:
$103
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Dinner Show in Asuncion:
$149
Typical Food prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
Local Transportation
To get around in Asuncion, the average visitor spends $7.68 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
The average price of local transportation around Lake Titicaca (Puno) is $8.58 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
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Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Asuncion $7.68
Lake Titicaca (Puno) $8.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Asuncion
Also for Asuncion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Airport Transfer: from Asuncion to Silvio Pettirossi Int. Airport (ASU):
$26
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Transfer in private car from Asuncion City to Asuncion Silvio Pettirosi Airport:
$30
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Transfer in private minivan from Asuncion City to Silvio Pettirosi Airport:
$37
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Round Trip Transfer Silvio Pettirossi Airport (ASU) to Asuncion City Center:
$46
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Asunción Airport:
$47
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Private Arrival Transfer: Asunción Airport to Hotel:
$47
Typical Local Transportation prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
Entertainment
In Asuncion, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $14 per person, per day.
Lake Titicaca (Puno)'s costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $23 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Asuncion
For Asuncion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Asunción Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$31
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City Tour Asunción:
$48
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2 Hours Catamaran Tour from the Asunción Bay with Audio Guide:
$55
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Private Tour: Golden Circuit from Asuncion:
$64
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Asuncion Birding Tour:
$70
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Asunción City Market Tour:
$72
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Asunción Small-Group Art and Cultural Walking Tour:
$78
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Cultural City 3 Hour Tour in Asuncion by Bus:
$99
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Private Half day city tour in Asuncion, Paraguay:
$100
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Golden Triangle Tour:
$110
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Crystal Fall - day tour in a reduced group:
$110
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Shopping tour in Asuncion:
$115
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Asuncion spend on average $9.01 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
The average person spends about $9.66 on alcoholic beverages in Lake Titicaca (Puno) per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Typical Alcohol prices in Asuncion
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Asuncion are as follows:
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).
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