Which place is cheaper, La Paz or Chiang Mai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Mai or La Paz?
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 La Paz. 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 La Paz?
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.
La Paz
La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, has a breathtaking setting. The city is the highest national capital in the world, with an altitude ranging from about 4,058 m (13,313 ft) above sea level in El Alto, where the airport is located, to 3,100 m (10,170 ft) in the lower residential area. The dynamic and chaotic city was built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. La Paz is now a fusion of architectural styles, cultures and beliefs, welcoming everyday new boutique hotels, modern shops, delicious restaurants and reinventing standing establishments. However, generally speaking, Bolivia remains more a backpacker hit than a mainstream tourist destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia, and The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $45La Paz $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $45, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $44. 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 La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $26La Paz $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $52La Paz $32
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and La Paz
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai or La Paz? 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 and La Paz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $3.61La Paz $9.47
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:
- Zipline Adventure at Chiang Mai with Return Transfer: $192
- Try find your better than us!Airport transfer service in Chiang Mai APT-HTL(CNX): $12
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Chiang Mai HTL-APT(CNX): $12
- Skyline Jungle Luge Ticket + Lunch with Private Transfer: $250
- Private Vehicle: Transfer from Airport in Chiang Mai: $21
- Private Van: Chiang Mai Airport Arrival or Departure Transfer : $45
- Private Transfer: Four Seasons Hotel to Chiang Mai Airport: $24
- Private Transfer: Chiang Mai Airport Arrival or Departure ride: $155
- Private Transfer Chiang Mai Airport to Hotel in Chiang Mai by Car and Van: $37
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): $11
- Private Car: Chiang Mai Airport Transfers : $25
- Private Arrival Transfer - Chiang Mai Airport to Chiang Mai City Hotel(SHA Plus): $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in La Paz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Also for La Paz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from La Paz to Uyuni.: $295
- Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City : $77
- Private Transfer From Hotel to Airport in La Paz City : $68
- Private Transfer From Bus Station to Hotel in La Paz City : $68
- Private Transfer From your Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City : $68
- Private Transfer From Airport to Hotel in La Paz City: $60
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan La Paz Airport (LPB) - La Paz City: $55
- Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City : $54
- Private Transfer From Bus Station to your Hotel in La Paz City : $54
- Private Transfer From Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City : $52
- Airport Transfer In_night: $47
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle La Paz Airport (LPB) - La Paz City: $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz 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 $10La Paz $17
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
Typical Food Prices in La Paz
For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Fruit$0.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz
For La Paz, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- La Paz Food Tour + Cable Car Cultural City tour: $45
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $13La Paz $16
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.
- 9 Hours Nature Tour in Inthanon National Park From Chiang Mai: $71
- Chiang Mai Thapae Muay Thai Boxing Stadium Ticket: $28
- One Day Doi Inthanon National Park Small Group Guided Tour: $40
- Private Tour of Sacred Sakyant Tattoo in Lamphun Province.: $79
- 1 Day Doi Inthanon Private tour ( Hiking and Sightseeing ): $96
- 1 Day Private Tour Doi Inthanon And Phachor Canyon: $128
- 1 Day Private Tour White Temple and Renewed Doichang Coffee: $188
- 1 Hr Chiang Mai Buggy Tour (Off-Road): $150
- 1-Day Bike and River Kayak Adventure from Chiang Mai: $64
- 10KM Inflatable Kayaking Adventure: $82
- 10km Rafting with 8Adventures from Chiang Mai Include Pickup & Lunch : $103
- 2 Days 1 Night Non Tourist Trek: $123
Tours and Activities in La Paz
For La Paz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- From Private Tour to Tiwanaku Ruins and Puma Punku.: $173
- 2-Day Private Lake Titicaca and Sun Island Tour from La Paz: $520
- 2-day Private Guided Tour in Uyuni and La Paz: $240
- 3 Day Death Road + Uyuni Salt Flats Tour From La Paz City: $280
- Bike Tour to the Death Road: $85
- Chacaltaya 5,435m & Valle De Luna. 2 For 1 Special Tour.: $30
- Cholet Tour - Andean Architecture and Culture - El Alto: $26
- City Tour plus Cable Car La Paz: $10
- City Tour with Drone!: $204
- City Walking Tour in La Paz: $8.00
- Copacabana-Lake Titicaca&Isla del Sol Full Day PRIVATE GUIDE TOUR: $110
- Cusco Bus Ticket from La Paz City 7:30 a.m. : $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $6.73La Paz $11
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
Sample the Local Flavors in La Paz
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in La Paz:
- Cultural Pub Crawl La Paz Nightlife Tour : $50
When comparing the travel costs between Chiang Mai and La Paz, we can see that Chiang Mai is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Chiang Mai is in Asia and La Paz is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 La Paz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or La Paz?
Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and La Paz, 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.