A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Asuncion vs. San Pedro de Atacama for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Asuncion or San Pedro de Atacama?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Asuncion or San Pedro de Atacama, 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 San Pedro de Atacama?

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.

San Pedro de Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama is a gateway to northern Chile. It is a good jumping off point for exploring the area's impressive landscape, most of which is included in the Los Flamencos National Reserve. It is popular with both Chilean and international tourists, and because of its popularity, it is a relatively expensive destination, with many prices comparable to what you might pay in Santiago.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Chile, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, San Pedro de Atacama or Asuncion?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Asuncion Prices
    Paraguay Prices
    San Pedro de Atacama Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Asuncion $83
    San Pedro de Atacama $69

The average daily cost (per person) in Asuncion is $83, while the average daily cost in San Pedro de Atacama is $69. 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 San Pedro de Atacama in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Asuncion $23
    San Pedro de Atacama $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Asuncion $46
    San Pedro de Atacama $64
Compare Hotels in Asuncion and San Pedro de Atacama

Looking for a hotel in Asuncion or San Pedro de Atacama? 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.

Hotels in Asuncion


Hotels in San Pedro de Atacama


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 San Pedro de Atacama Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Asuncion $9.08
    San Pedro de Atacama $9.14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro de Atacama

Also for San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • To/From El Loa Airport: San Pedro de Atacama Shared Transfer: $28
  • TRANSFER TO PURITAMA HOT SPRINGS: $40
  • Shared Transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama Airport: $29
  • Stargazing Experience with Transfer: $44
  • Puritama Hot Springs Transfer Tour: $45
  • Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer: $40
  • Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer: $40
  • Puritama Hot Springs Experience with Transfer and Entrance: $90
  • Private transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama City: $190
  • Calama Airport: Transfer to/from San Pedro de Atacama: $30
  • Calama Airport Transfer to Atacama / Airport Lodging: $60
  • Atacama Airport Shuttle Transfer: $38

Is it cheaper to fly into Asuncion or San Pedro de Atacama?

Prices for flights to both San Pedro de Atacama 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Asuncion $31
    San Pedro de Atacama $25

Typical Food Prices in San Pedro de Atacama

For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Empanadas
    $1.26
  • Lunch
    $10
  • Dinner
    $11
  • Drink
    $0.94
  • Empanada
    $5.24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro de Atacama

For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Local haute cuisine tasting menu dinner: $135
  • Private Dinner Under the Stars: $300

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Asuncion $17
    San Pedro de Atacama $21

Typical Entertainment Prices in San Pedro de Atacama

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro de Atacama's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Sand Boarding
    $56

Tours and Activities in San Pedro de Atacama

For San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Moon Valley Tour, the Best Seller: $49
  • The 3 Best Selling Tours in Atacama: $190
  • 1-Day Tour Altiplanic Lagoons and Piedras Rojas and Laguna Chaxa: $120
  • 2 Tours Valley of the Moon and Hidden Lagoons: $120
  • 23km downhill bike tour + trekking among giant cacti: $70
  • 3 Days and 4 Tours in San Pedro de Atacama: $190
  • 3 Main Tours in San Pedo de Atacama: $190
  • 3 or 4 days in San Pedro with Semi-Private tours: $300
  • 3-Day Tour in San Pedro de Atacama: $205
  • 4 TOUR IN ATACAMA IN 3 DAYS: $230
  • 4 Tour in 2 Days, in San Pedro de Atacama: $200
  • 4 Tours in 3 Days in San Pedro de Atacama: $198

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Asuncion $11
    San Pedro de Atacama $4.93
Typical Alcohol Prices in Asuncion

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Asuncion are as follows:


  • Beer
    $1.26

Typical Alcohol Prices in San Pedro de Atacama

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in San Pedro de Atacama:


  • Alcohol
    $25


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asuncion and San Pedro de Atacama, we can see that Asuncion is more expensive. And not only is San Pedro de Atacama much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Pedro de Atacama would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Pedro de Atacama 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 San Pedro de Atacama.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asuncion Expensive? and Is San Pedro de Atacama Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Asuncion or San Pedro de Atacama?

Asuncion has a larger population, and is about 740 times larger than the population of San Pedro de Atacama. When comparing the sizes of Asuncion and San Pedro de Atacama, 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.