A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cajamarca vs. Santa Cruz de la Sierra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cajamarca or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?

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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Cajamarca or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?

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.

Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Santa Cruz de la Sierra, or simply Santa Cruz, is a larger city in the middle of Bolivia. It is also one of the most wealthy cities in the country. The city is also one of the fastest growing in the world. It is famous for its nightlife and it makes an excellent base for exploring many of the tourist attractions in the nearby areas.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, The Best Cultural Tours in Peru, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Bolivia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia.


Which place is cheaper, Santa Cruz de la Sierra or Cajamarca?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cajamarca is $69, while the average daily cost in Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cajamarca $24
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cajamarca $48
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $44
Compare Hotels in Cajamarca and Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Looking for a hotel in Cajamarca or Santa Cruz de la Sierra? 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 Cajamarca


Hotels in Santa Cruz de la Sierra


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: Santa Cruz de la Sierra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cajamarca $17
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $9.90

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:


  • Taxi Ride
    $4.34
  • Mini Bus
    $0.58

Is it cheaper to fly into Cajamarca or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?

Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cajamarca $28
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $20

Typical Food Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:


  • Snacks
    $3.18
  • Chips
    $0.29
  • Banana
    $0.14
  • Cookies
    $1.30

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cajamarca $26
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $19

Tours and Activities in Cajamarca

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cajamarca are as follows:

  • || Tour of the Cajamarca Valley - San Nicolás lagoon ||: $40
  • Sulluscocha Extreme Adventure |Atv, Canopy, Climbing|: $65
  • Sulluscocha Extreme Adventure |Atv, Canopy, Climbing|: $65
  • City Tour: $67
  • 3-Day Guided Cultural Tour of Cajamarca with Transportation: $202

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cajamarca $16
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $14

Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santa Cruz de la Sierra from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $1.59


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cajamarca Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz de la Sierra Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cajamarca or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?

Santa Cruz de la Sierra has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cajamarca. When comparing the sizes of Cajamarca and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 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.