A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Castro vs. Cochabamba for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Castro or Cochabamba?

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 Castro and Cochabamba can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Castro or Cochabamba?

Castro

The capital of Chiloe, modern and dynamic, has succeeded in keeping its authenticity even though it now has many gigantic supermarkets, hotels and other touristic infrastructures. It is located on the island's eastern coast, halfway between Ancud in the north and Quellon in the south, and is a convenient base for exploring the stunning sites in the region of Chiloe Island. The tourist information is located on the town square in front of the church.

Cochabamba

With a population of about 630,000, Cochabamba is the fourth largest city in Bolivia. It's located about 240 kilometers from the capital city of La Paz and is surrounded by mountains, but sits within a valley.

The city is known for its gardens and has many sights to offer the visitor. Cochabamba offers a calming retreat that is a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of many South American cities. It's a great location to learn Spanish and there are plenty of activities and cultural events that you can enjoy in and around town.

Cochabamba's climate is semi-arid. There is an extended dry season between May and October and the wet season is from November to March. The days are warm and the nights are cool.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile, The Best 10-Day Tours in Bolivia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Bolivia.


Which place is cheaper, Cochabamba or Castro?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Castro is $88, while the average daily cost in Cochabamba is $63. 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 Castro and Cochabamba in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Castro $37
    Cochabamba $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Castro $74
    Cochabamba $50
Compare Hotels in Castro and Cochabamba

Looking for a hotel in Castro or Cochabamba? 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 Castro


Hotels in Cochabamba


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: Castro Hotel Prices and Cochabamba Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Castro $20
    Cochabamba $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Castro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Castro:

  • Chiloe Airport Private Transfer: $50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cochabamba

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cochabamba:

  • Airport - Hotels transfer Service 24/7: $28
  • MiniVan or Bus Transfer from Cochabamba Airport CBB to Cochabamba: $28

Is it cheaper to fly into Castro or Cochabamba?

Prices for flights to both Cochabamba and Castro 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
    Castro $36
    Cochabamba $22

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Castro $21
    Cochabamba $25

Tours and Activities in Castro

Here are a few actual costs in Castro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private Half Day Tour in Patrimonial Castro: $30
  • Castro Sightseeing Tour in Chiloe: $58
  • From Puerto Varas: Chiloe Island Full-day Tour: $65
  • Bosque Piedra Reserve Tour: $106
  • Dalcahue and Quinchao Island Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $123
  • Pier of Light Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $156
  • Lemuy Island in Chiloe Full Day Private Tour: $164
  • Lemuy Island Tour from Castro: $178
  • Full Day Private Chiloe National Park Tour Following "The Darwin´s Route" : $179
  • Dock of Souls Trekking in Chiloe Private Tour: $189

Tours and Activities in Cochabamba

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

  • Tour to Valle Alto (Tarata): $38
  • Tigre & Delta River Cruise - half day tour from Buenos Aires: $72
  • Parque Nacional Torotoro Tour 2 Días y 1 Noche : $228

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Castro $17
    Cochabamba $15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Castro and Cochabamba, we can see that Castro is more expensive. And not only is Cochabamba much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cochabamba would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cochabamba 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 Castro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Castro than you might in Cochabamba.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Castro Expensive? and Is Cochabamba Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Castro or Cochabamba?

Cochabamba has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Castro. When comparing the sizes of Castro and Cochabamba, 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.