Which place is cheaper, Santa Cruz de la Sierra or Cozumel?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Cozumel 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 Cozumel and Santa Cruz de la Sierra can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cozumel or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Cozumel
Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula. It'as a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. With crystal clear waters and vibrant colored coral, Cozumel is one of the most popular dive destinations in the area. The island's economy is centered around tourism, and as such, you'll find plenty of amenities for visitors. The prices are comparable to other coastal towns in the area and there is no shortage of activities or attractions nearby.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Bolivia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia.
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Cozumel Prices
Mexico PricesSanta Cruz de la Sierra Prices
Bolivia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCozumel $122Santa Cruz de la Sierra $68
The average daily cost (per person) in Cozumel is $122, while the average daily cost in Santa Cruz de la Sierra is $68. 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 Cozumel and Santa Cruz de la Sierra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCozumel $63Santa Cruz de la Sierra $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCozumel $126Santa Cruz de la Sierra $44
Compare Hotels in Cozumel and Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Looking for a hotel in Cozumel 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.
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: Cozumel Hotel Prices and Santa Cruz de la Sierra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cozumel $21Santa Cruz de la Sierra $9.90
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel
Also for Cozumel, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- ATV Adventure to Jade Cavern with transfer: $83
- ATV tour to jade cavern with transfer (single or double): $55
- Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $154
- Cozumel Jungle ATV Tour Adventure and Caverns with transfer: $65
- Cozumel Mayan Experience And Beach Getaway with Transfer: $55
- Shared Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $27
- Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel -Arrival Private Transfer: $51
- Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $77
- Private One Way Transfer from Cozumel Airport to Cozumel: $67
- Private One Way Transfer from Cozumel to Cozumel Airport: $67
- Private Transfer from Cozumel Port to Cozumel Airport (CZM): $93
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:
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Taxi Ride$4.34
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Mini Bus$0.58
Is it cheaper to fly into Cozumel or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Cozumel 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 dayCozumel $37Santa Cruz de la Sierra $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cozumel
For Cozumel, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Under the Stars Twilight Snorkel and Seaside Dinner at Money Bar: $90
- Cozumel Food Tour: $90
- Cozumel Food Tour: $110
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:
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Snacks$3.18
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Chips$0.29
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Banana$0.14
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Cookies$1.30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
- Guided Street Food Tour: Santa Cruz de la Sierra: $10
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cozumel $40Santa Cruz de la Sierra $19
Tours and Activities in Cozumel
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cozumel.
- Skip the Line: Admission Ticket to El Cedral Town and Mayan Temple: $16
- Transparent Boat Tour in See Marine Life Up Close: $19
- Crystal Boat Trip and Snorkeling Tour from Cozumel: $19
- Crystal-clear Boat trip & Snorkeling tour: $19
- Tequila History and Tasting Experience and Unlimited Beach Break: $25
- El Cielo Snorkeling Adventure in Cozumel: $28
- Cozumel’s Mayan Journey: Dance, Rituals, and Tasting Tour: $29
- Cozumel Snorkeling Tour: Palancar, Columbia and El Cielo Reefs: $29
- Island Tour in Cozumel, Mayan Show & Tacos: $30
- Transparent Boating and Snorkeling Tour in Cozumel All Inclusive: $32
- Bicycle Adventure With Snorkel and Lunch: $33
- VIP Glass Bottom Boat & Snorkeling 3 Reefs Tour: $35
Tours and Activities in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Here are a few actual costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Day Tour /El Fuerte & Samaipata: $98
- Day Tour Jardin de las Delicias: $99
- Lomas de Arena Sandboarding Tour: $42
- Santa Cruz: Wildlife Sanctuary and Preservation Park Tour: $85
- Walking tour - A journey through the History of Santa Cruz: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCozumel $10Santa Cruz de la Sierra $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Cozumel
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cozumel:
- Chocolate Seaside Workshop & Wine Tasting: $45
- Downtown Cozumel and Brewery Experience: $69
- Rum and Gin at Cozumel First Distillery : $99
- Craft Beer Tasting Experience with Brewery Tour: $99
- Cozumel Mixology Experience at Distillery : $109
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:
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Beer$1.59
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Also in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bolivia: Bolivian Wine Tasting with Charcuterie Board: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cozumel and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, we can see that Cozumel is more expensive. And not only is Santa Cruz de la Sierra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cozumel is in North America and Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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 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 Cozumel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cozumel 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 Cozumel Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz de la Sierra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cozumel or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Santa Cruz de la Sierra has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Cozumel. When comparing the sizes of Cozumel 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.
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.