Which place is cheaper, Santa Cruz de la Sierra or Cali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Cali or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cali and Santa Cruz de la Sierra can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Cali or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Cali
Cali is Colombia's third largest city. Founded in 1536, can be explored on foot: walk under the shade of trees along the riverbank, admire the architecture of churches and other national monuments, and visit the city's many museums. Being the salsa capital of the world, Cali is primarily a destination for salsa and party but it also offers some great days out in the nearby natural surroundings. In Cali, travelers can enjoy music festivals, learn about sugarcane farming, and take in the mountainous landscapes.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bogota, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Colombia, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Bolivia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia.
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Cali Prices
Colombia PricesSanta Cruz de la Sierra Prices
Bolivia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCali $31Santa Cruz de la Sierra $68
The average daily cost (per person) in Cali is $31, while the average daily cost in Santa Cruz de la Sierra is $68. 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 Cali and Santa Cruz de la Sierra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCali $6.02Santa Cruz de la Sierra $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCali $12Santa Cruz de la Sierra $44
Compare Hotels in Cali and Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Looking for a hotel in Cali 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.
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: Cali Hotel Prices and Santa Cruz de la Sierra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cali $5.62Santa Cruz de la Sierra $9.90
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cali:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cali
Also for Cali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers Cali (per way): $34
- Airport Transfers to Cali Hotels: $28
- Alfonso Airport (CLO) to Cali/Palmira - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) to Cali/Palmira-RoundTrip Transfer: $93
- Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by Minivan: $71
- Arrival Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by MiniSuv: $93
- Cali Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $181
- Cali Tour Privado x5 horas con Transfers: $250
- Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
- Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
- Cali to or from Coffee Region Private Transfer: $136
- Cali/Palmira to Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) - Private Transfer: $46
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:
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Taxi Ride$4.34
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Mini Bus$0.58
Is it cheaper to fly into Cali or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Cali 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 dayCali $15Santa Cruz de la Sierra $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cali
For Cali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour: $23
- Street Food Tour: $29
- Cali tastes good! Authentic street food tour through the salsa capital: $53
- Alameda Market Food Tour: $55
- Traditional Colombian Meal Cooking Class: $67
- Street Food Tour - Live A Unique Gastronomic Experience: $67
- Flavors of Food tour at the local market: $73
- Food Tour San Antonio: $75
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:
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Snacks$3.18
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Chips$0.29
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Banana$0.14
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Cookies$1.30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
- Guided Street Food Tour: Santa Cruz de la Sierra: $10
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cali $11Santa Cruz de la Sierra $19
Tours and Activities in Cali
For Cali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Shared Tour Cali's Local Food at Alameda Market: $9.60
- Shared Tour Cali's Historical Downtown: $9.60
- Shared Tour Cali's Salsa, Graffiti & Resistance Experience: $9.60
- Historical Shared Tour Salsa, Graffiti & Resistance in Cali: $10
- Shared Tour of the Historical and Cultural Center of Cali: $10
- Cali Zoo Access Ticket: $15
- Chiva Private Cultural Tour with Audio Guide in Buga: $15
- Cultural and heritage Cali tour: $15
- Ceramic Workshop for Tourists: $18
- Tour in Cali : Culture, Tropical Fruits and Sauce: $23
- Walking tour of the historic center: $25
- Coffee Tasting Experience in Cali Colombia : $26
Tours and Activities in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Here are a few actual costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Day Tour Jardin de las Delicias: $99
- DayTour Refugio los volcanos View point/El Fuerte &Samaipata: $135
- Lomas de Arena Sandboarding Tour: $49
- Santa Cruz: Wildlife Sanctuary and Preservation Park Tour: $85
- Walking tour - A journey through the History of Santa Cruz: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCali $8.48Santa Cruz de la Sierra $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Cali
Also in Cali, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cali, Colombia: $25
- Craft Beer Pub Crawl in Cali: $40
- Salsa Pub Crawl in Cali: $45
- Paragliding + Wine tasting + Hacienda El Paraiso + Saint Helena: $210
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:
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Beer$1.59
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Also in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bolivia: Bolivian Wine Tasting with Charcuterie Board: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cali and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, we can see that Santa Cruz de la Sierra is more expensive. And not only is Cali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cali 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Cruz de la Sierra than you might in Cali.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cali Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz de la Sierra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cali or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Cali has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. When comparing the sizes of Cali 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.
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.