Which place is cheaper, Cochabamba or David?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit David or Cochabamba?
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 David and Cochabamba can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: David or Cochabamba?
David
In the Pacific West of Panama, David is the capital city of Chiriqui province. The city's population of almost 150,000 is among the wealthiest in the country. There is a well established middle class and unemployment remains low in the area. The area has grown rapidly in recent years with growing commercial and banking sectors. The city is well connected to the rest of the country by the Pan American Highway.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Panama, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama, The Best 10-Day Tours in Bolivia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Bolivia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDavid $32Cochabamba $63
The average daily cost (per person) in David is $32, while the average daily cost in Cochabamba is $63. 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 David and Cochabamba in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDavid $12Cochabamba $25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDavid $24Cochabamba $50
Compare Hotels in David and Cochabamba
Looking for a hotel in David or Cochabamba? 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: David Hotel Prices and Cochabamba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.David $12Cochabamba $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cochabamba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cochabamba:
- MiniVan or Bus Transfer from Cochabamba Airport CBB to Cochabamba: $28
- Airport - Hotels transfer Service 24/7: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into David or Cochabamba?
Prices for flights to both Cochabamba and David 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 dayDavid $10Cochabamba $22
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.David $4.39Cochabamba $25
Tours and Activities in Cochabamba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cochabamba are as follows:
- Tour to Valle Alto (Tarata): $38
- Tigre & Delta River Cruise - half day tour from Buenos Aires: $72
- Parque Nacional Torotoro Tour 2 Días y 1 Noche : $228
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDavid -Cochabamba $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between David and Cochabamba, we can see that Cochabamba is more expensive. And not only is David much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since David is in Central America and Cochabamba 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 David would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in David 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 Cochabamba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cochabamba than you might in David.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is David Expensive? and Is Cochabamba Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, David or Cochabamba?
Cochabamba has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of David. When comparing the sizes of David and Cochabamba, 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.