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

Should you visit Castro 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 Castro and Santa Cruz de la Sierra can help you decide which place is right for you.

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

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.

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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Bolivia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia.


Which place is cheaper, Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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 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 Castro and Santa Cruz de la Sierra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Castro $37
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Castro $74
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $44
Compare Hotels in Castro and Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Looking for a hotel in Castro 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 Castro


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: Castro Hotel Prices and Santa Cruz de la Sierra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Castro $20
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $9.90

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Castro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Castro:

  • Chiloe Airport Private Transfer: $50

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 Castro or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?

Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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
    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.
    Castro $21
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $19

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Castro $17
    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 Castro and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, we can see that Castro 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 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 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 Castro Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz de la Sierra Expensive?.


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

Santa Cruz de la Sierra has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Castro. When comparing the sizes of Castro 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.