Which place is cheaper, Lake Titicaca (Puno) or Cajamarca?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cajamarca or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Cajamarca and Lake Titicaca (Puno) can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cajamarca or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Cajamarca
Located in the northern highlands of Peru, Cajamarca is a town of about 100,000 people. The city's mild weather and fertile soil is ideal for agriculture, which is a major industry in the area. The city is also well known for its cheeses and dairy products. Cajamarca is the site of the Battle of Cajamarca which led to the execution of the Inca emperor Atahualpa and the end of the infamous Inca empire. Today, the area is appealing to visitors in part because of its lovely churches, nice hot springs, and interesting Inca Baths.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Peru, The Best Cultural Tours in Peru, The Best Photography Tours in Peru, and The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCajamarca $68Lake Titicaca (Puno) $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Cajamarca is $68, 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 Cajamarca and Lake Titicaca (Puno) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCajamarca $24Lake Titicaca (Puno) $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCajamarca $48Lake Titicaca (Puno) $52
Compare Hotels in Cajamarca and Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Looking for a hotel in Cajamarca 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: Lake Titicaca (Puno) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cajamarca $16Lake Titicaca (Puno) $10
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$0.80
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 from Hotel Puno to Puerto de Puno: $21
- Private Transfer from Puerto de Puno to Hotel Puno: $21
- Juliaca Airport Private Transfer to/from Puno city: $44
- Private Transfer from Puno to Inca Manco Capac (JUL) Airport: $91
- Private Transfer from Puno to Frontera Kasani: $207
- Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay, English Speaking Driver: $214
- Private Transfer From Puno to Oruro with English Speaking Driver: $247
- Private Transfer From Puno to Arequipa with English Speaking Driver: $268
- Direct Private Transfer From Puno to Cusco, English Local Speaking Driver: $275
Is it cheaper to fly into Cajamarca or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Prices for flights to both Lake Titicaca (Puno) and Cajamarca 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 dayCajamarca $28Lake 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$1.47
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cajamarca $26Lake Titicaca (Puno) $29
Tours and Activities in Cajamarca
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cajamarca are as follows:
- From City Tour Cajamarca: $21
- From Porcón Farm and Huambocancha Workshops Tour: $26
- Entrance fee and Tour to Cumbemayo: $29
- Tour to the baths of the Inca and the Colpa hacienda: $30
- Tour to the Ventanillas of Otuzco and the Tres Molinos Farm: $35
- Cajamarca | Porcón and Otuzco Farm Adventures |: $39
- Cajamarca Valley Tour – San Nicolas Lagoon: $40
- || Tour of the Cajamarca Valley - San Nicolás lagoon ||: $40
- Cajamarca in its Splendor: San Nicolas Lagoon Tour: $40
- Tour to The Cajamarca Valley and The San Nicolás Lagoon: $45
- Half-Day Private Cajamarca City Tour: $54
- Sulluscocha Extreme Adventure |Atv, Canopy, Rock Climbing|: $65
Tours and Activities in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
- Half Day Tour to Sillustani from Puno : $22
- Morning: Uros Floating Islands Tour from Puno: $25
- Sillustani Tours: $26
- Walking City tour Puno: $26
- Uros Floating Island Tour: $26
- Chullpas de Sillustani Inca Cemetery Tour by Tourist Bus: $26
- Sillustani Tombs Half Day Tour from Puno: $28
- Sillustani 1/2 Day Tour: $32
- Half Day Tour to Chullpas de Sillustani From Puno: $35
- Uros and Taquile Island Tour - Lake Titicaca Wonders: $39
- 3h Boat Tour to Uros Island from Puno: $40
- Tour to Uros and Taquile Islands in a Fast Boat: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCajamarca $16Lake Titicaca (Puno) $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cajamarca and Lake Titicaca (Puno), we can see that Cajamarca 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 Cajamarca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cajamarca 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 Cajamarca Expensive? and Is Lake Titicaca (Puno) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cajamarca or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Cajamarca has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Lake Titicaca (Puno). When comparing the sizes of Cajamarca 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.