Which place is cheaper, Caracas or Chiang Mai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Mai or Caracas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Chiang Mai and Caracas. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Chiang Mai or Caracas?
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is both the cultural center of northern Thailand and a launching point for trips into the rural areas, small towns, and lush jungles of the country's northern regions. Known for great food, historic temples, arts and crafts, and a lively night market, Chiang Mai is a very popular destination for travelers. In some areas, tourists and ex-pats dominate, but it's quite easy to get away from the tourist scene and into the real culture of Thailand, as Chiang Mai (and the surrounding countryside) is quite large.
Caracas
Caracas is the capital city of Venezuela, and also the country's largest city. It's in the northern portion of the country and is close to the Caribbean. While Caracas may not be a major travel destination in Venezuela, it can offer interesting insight into the country's urban character. It has a great art, culinary, and music culture that truly bring the city to life. The beautiful Mount Avila overlooks the city and separates the city from the Caribbean Sea. Many locals and visitors alike head to the mountain as a quick escape. You can reach it by taking a cable car that carries you up to the SWaraira Repano Park at the very top.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $45Caracas $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $45, while the average daily cost in Caracas is $0.00. 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 Chiang Mai and Caracas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $26Caracas -
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $52Caracas $0.00
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Caracas
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai or Caracas? 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: Chiang Mai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $3.61Caracas -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$1.09
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Moped Rental$4.89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 2-Day Transfer Luang Prabang from Chiang Mai by Sleeper Bus : $83
- ATV Riding and Grand Canyon Chiang Mai Include Pickup Transfer: $90
- Chiang Mai #1 Way Private Car transfer to/from Bangkok City: $273
- Chiang Mai #Private Car transfer to/from Mae Sot: $196
- Chiang Mai : Sticky Waterfalls transfer: $23
- Chiang Mai Airport (CNX): One-Way Private Transfer: $12
- Chiang Mai Airport Arrival – Private Transfer from Airport to Four Seasons Hotel: $24
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Chiang Dao Private Arrival Transfer: $27
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Pai Resorts Round Trip Private Transfer: $154
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Pai Thermal Resorts Arrival Transfer: $77
- Chiang Mai Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $13
- Chiang Mai Airport PRIVATE Arrival or Departure Transfer : $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Caracas?
Prices for flights to both Caracas and Chiang Mai 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 dayChiang Mai $10Caracas -
Typical Food Prices in Chiang Mai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chiang Mai:
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Sit Down Dinner (for One)$5.30
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.65
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Casual Breakfast$1.09
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.43
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Mangoes$0.82
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Coffee$1.36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Evening Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market: $11
- Cooking Morning Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market : $11
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner and Show from Chiang Mai: $19
- Khantoke Dinner with Traditional Performance: $22
- Afternoon Cooking Class in Organic Garden in Chiang Mai: $22
- Evening Cooking Class in Organic Garden Chiang Mai: $22
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $22
- Cooking Class, Market and Thai Herbs Garden Tour: $25
- Authentic Easy Thai Recipes for Home-Style Cooking Half Day AM: $25
- Half Day Evening Cooking Class with Yummy Tasty Thai Cooking School: $25
- Half-Day Thai Cuisine Cooking Experience in Chiang Mai : $27
- Thai and Isaan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $27
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $13Caracas -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Thai Cooking Class$35
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Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.63
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Kratong Lessons$2.72
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Pedicure$4.08
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$4.89
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- Scavenger Hunt City Tour for Your Smartphone: $7.73
- Chiang Mai Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Art in Paradise Illusion Museum Entry Ticket: $11
- Mae Ping River Cruise: $12
- Old City and Temples Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Local Food and Markets Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Skip the Line: Chiang Mai Art in Paradise Admission Ticket: $14
- Tweechol Botanic Garden Half Day Adventure : $15
- Chiang Mai Michelin Food Walking Tour with Professional Tour Guide: $15
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 2 Hrs: $15
- Circuit Karting Experience at Chiang Mai Circuit - Go Kart: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $6.73Caracas -
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Wine$2.72
Sample the Local Flavors in Chiang Mai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Chiang Mai:
- Chiang Mai Pub Crawl: The Best Bars & Pubs in Chiang Mai!: $9.55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Caracas, we can see that Chiang Mai is more expensive. And not only is Caracas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chiang Mai is in Asia and Caracas is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Caracas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Caracas 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 Chiang Mai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chiang Mai than you might in Caracas.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Caracas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Caracas?
Caracas has a larger population, and is about 82% larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Caracas, 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.
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai or Caracas?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Caracas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Caracas. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Caracas throughout the year.
June to September in Chiang Mai is the rainy season. Chiang Mai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in July than Caracas. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Caracas receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Caracas. In the summer, Chiang Mai often gets less sunshine than Caracas. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caracas receives 242 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Chiang Mai is around the same temperature as Caracas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chiang Mai in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Caracas averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyChiang Mai 30°C (86°F)Caracas 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Caracas in the Autumn?
Both Caracas and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Caracas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Chiang Mai is November to February. It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. In October, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Caracas. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Caracas receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Caracas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Caracas during autumn. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Caracas receives 208 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Chiang Mai is generally around the same temperature as Caracas. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 29°C (83°F), and Caracas fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChiang Mai 29°C (83°F)Caracas 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Caracas in the Winter?
Both Caracas and Chiang Mai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Caracas year-round.
November to February is the dry season in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in January than Caracas. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Caracas receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Caracas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. In the winter, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Caracas. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caracas receives 233 hours of full sun.
Chiang Mai is around the same temperature as Caracas in the winter. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Caracas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChiang Mai 23°C (74°F)Caracas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Caracas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Caracas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Caracas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai. In April, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Caracas. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Caracas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Caracas during spring. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Caracas receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
The heat can be very extreme in Chiang Mai. In the spring, Chiang Mai is a little warmer than Caracas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chiang Mai in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Caracas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilChiang Mai 31°C (88°F)Caracas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Caracas and Chiang Mai
| Chiang Mai | Caracas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
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.