Which place is cheaper, Cochabamba or Huaraz?
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 Huaraz 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 Huaraz and Cochabamba can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Huaraz or Cochabamba?
Huaraz
Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru, The Best 10-Day Tours in Bolivia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Bolivia.
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Huaraz Prices
Peru PricesCochabamba Prices
Bolivia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHuaraz $68Cochabamba $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Huaraz is $68, while the average daily cost in Cochabamba is $79. 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 Huaraz and Cochabamba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHuaraz $22Cochabamba $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHuaraz $44Cochabamba $50
Compare Hotels in Huaraz and Cochabamba
Looking for a hotel in Huaraz 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: Huaraz Hotel Prices and Cochabamba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Huaraz $11Cochabamba $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huaraz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$2.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cochabamba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cochabamba:
- MiniVan or Suv Transfer from Cochabamba Airport CBB to Cochabamba: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Huaraz or Cochabamba?
Prices for flights to both Cochabamba and Huaraz 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 dayHuaraz $33Cochabamba $38
Typical Food Prices in Huaraz
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Huaraz:
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Lunch$6.50
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Chips$1.63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cochabamba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cochabamba.
- Adelante Mujer Bolivian Cooking Workshops: $29
- Bolivian Cooking Class with High-Altitude Wines: $50
- Cochabamba Valle Alto 2-Day Food Tour: $355
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Huaraz $21Cochabamba $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huaraz
Here are a few typical costs in Huaraz for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Climbing Gear$18
Tours and Activities in Huaraz
Here are a few actual costs in Huaraz for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Traditional Picante de Cuy Gastronomy Tour in Huaraz: $15
- Tour to Laguna 69 From Huaraz Trekking and Spectacular Views: $25
- Discover Peru's Ancient Civilization at Chavín de Huántar Tour: $25
- Full day,Trekking Puya Raimondi and Pastoruri Glacier Adventure: $25
- Pastoruri Glacier - Day Tour - Ice and Adventure: $29
- Full-day tour, Trekking Adventure to Laguna Paron at 4200meters: $30
- Trekking to Laguna 69 Full-Day Adventure in Cordillera Blanca: $30
- Laguna 69 Hiking Adventure in Huascarán National Park: $33
- Huaraz Pastoruri Glacier Adventure in Cordillera Blanca: $35
- Glacier Pastoruri and Puya Raimondi Full Day Tour: $36
- Lake 69 Full-Day Hiking Tour from Huaraz: $40
- Pachamanca Gastronomy Tour in Huaraz: $40
Tours and Activities in Cochabamba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cochabamba are as follows:
- City of Eternal Spring: Self-Guided Tour of Downtown Cochabamba: $5.99
- Walking tour in Cochabamba not your average: $15
- Shopping tour + history: Cochabamba: $59
- City Highlights Walking Tour groups: $65
- Tour to Valle Alto (Tarata): $82
- Full-Day 9-Site Heritage Walking Tour with Guide: $84
- Full-Day Valle Alto Tour: Cochabamba: $105
- Torotoro: 2-Day, 1-Night Tour from Cochabamba: $160
- Toro Toro: A full-day tour from Cochabamba: $210
- 2-Day, 1-Night Tour: Toro Toro with Caves, Footprints, and Canyons: $270
- Tropical Experience 2 days and 1 night: Villa Tunari Cochabamba: $340
- Incallajta and Torora-Cochabamba Tour: $352
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHuaraz $17Cochabamba $15
When comparing the travel costs between Huaraz and Cochabamba, 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Huaraz Expensive? and Is Cochabamba Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Huaraz or Cochabamba?
Cochabamba has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Huaraz. When comparing the sizes of Huaraz 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.