Should you visit Cochabamba or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
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 Cochabamba and Lake Titicaca (Puno) can help you decide which place is right for you.
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.
Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Lake Titicaca, which directly translates to "puma stone" in Quechua, is located high in the Andes Mountains straddling Peru and Bolivia, with about 60% of the lake in Peru and 40% in Bolivia. Among the lake are three main islands, the most popular of which are the Uros Islands, also known as the floating islands, where the Uros people live on totora reeds that grow in the lake.
Which city is cheaper, Lake Titicaca (Puno) or Cochabamba?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cochabamba is $51, while the average daily cost in Lake Titicaca (Puno) is $48. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Cochabamba and Lake Titicaca (Puno) in more detail.
Accommodation
Cochabamba's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $40. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $20.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $40 for a double occupancy room in Lake Titicaca (Puno).
Food
Cochabamba food costs typically run travelers around $18 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
On average, meal and food prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno) cost around $17 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $6.80.
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Food
Meals for one day
Cochabamba $18
Lake Titicaca (Puno) $17
Typical Food prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Cochabamba is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $13 per person, per day, on local transportation in Cochabamba.
The average price of local transportation around Lake Titicaca (Puno) is $8.70 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
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Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Cochabamba $13
Lake Titicaca (Puno) $8.70
Typical Local Transportation prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
Is it cheaper to fly into Cochabamba or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Prices for flights to both Lake Titicaca (Puno) and Cochabamba 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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Cochabamba typically cost an average of $20 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Lake Titicaca (Puno)'s costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $23 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Cochabamba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cochabamba are as follows:
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TOROTORO PAQUETE DE 2 DIAS 1 NOCHE Con VISION TOURS BOLIVIA:
$82
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3D/2N Paquete Turistico a Torotoro 22,23 y 24 de Febrero Carnavales-Vision Tours:
$125
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Amazing Torotoro National Park Tour (2 days 1 night):
$200
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Romantic tour in Cochabamba:
$498
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The Best of Cochabamba Walking Tour:
$498
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Adventure Through Toro Toro National Park. 3 Days 2 Nights. Spanish Guide:
$513
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Adventure Through Toro Toro National Park. 3 Days 2 Nights. English Guide:
$600
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Adventure Through Toro Toro National Park. 4 Days 3 Nights. Spanish Guide:
$656
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Adventure Through Toro Toro National Park. 4 Days 3 Nights. English Guide:
$779
Alcohol
The average person spends about $12 on alcoholic beverages in Cochabamba per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
The average person spends about $9.79 on alcoholic beverages in Lake Titicaca (Puno) per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
When comparing the travel costs between Cochabamba and Lake Titicaca (Puno), we can see that Cochabamba 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. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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