Which place is cheaper, Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Huaraz or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
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.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Peru, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Peru.
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Huaraz Prices
Peru PricesLake Titicaca (Puno) Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHuaraz $67Lake Titicaca (Puno) $71
The average daily cost (per person) in Huaraz is $67, while the average daily cost in Lake Titicaca (Puno) is $71. 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHuaraz $21Lake Titicaca (Puno) $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHuaraz $42Lake Titicaca (Puno) $56
Compare Hotels in Huaraz and Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Looking for a hotel in Huaraz or Lake Titicaca (Puno)? 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Huaraz $11Lake Titicaca (Puno) $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huaraz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$2.31
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
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Taxi$0.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
- Inca Manco Capac Airport to Puno or Titicaca Small-Group Transfer: $20
- Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay, English Speaking Driver: $219
- Private Transfer from Inca Manco Capac (JUL) Airport to Puno: $93
- Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno Plaza de Armas: $40
- Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $52
- Private Transfer from Puno to Desaguadero: $203
- Private transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $52
- Puno Arrival Transfer from bus or railway Station: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Huaraz or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Prices for flights to both Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 $32Lake Titicaca (Puno) $28
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$6.36
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Chips$1.59
Typical Food Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
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Tamales$1.59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lake Titicaca (Puno).
- Midday Food Tour in Puno: $68
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Huaraz $21Lake Titicaca (Puno) $31
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
- Full day,Trekking Puya Raimondi and Pastoruri Glacier Adventure: $25
- Discover Peru's Ancient Civilization at Chavín de Huántar Tour: $25
- Full-day tour, Trekking Adventure to Laguna Paron at 4200meters: $28
- Pastoruri Glacier Small-Group Tour from Huaraz: $29
- Laguna 69 Small-Group Hiking Tour from Huaraz: $29
- Turquoise Lagoons : Laguna 69 and Laguna Llanganuco + Tickets: $35
- Huaraz Pastoruri Glacier Adventure in Cordillera Blanca: $35
- Laguna 69 Hiking Adventure in Huascaran National Park: $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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
- 3-Hour Small Group Uros Floating Islands Tour: $8.00
- Half Day Tour Floating Islands of Uros Puno: $10
- Uros Floating Island Tour: $10
- Half-Day Tour to the Floating Islands of Uros: $14
- Chullpas Tour of Sillustani Inca Cemetery: $18
- Uros Floating Islands Half-Day Tour from Puno: $22
- Sillustani Tour from Puno with Lake Umayo: $24
- Morning: Uros Floating Islands Tour from Puno: $25
- Sillustani Tours: $26
- Sillustani Tombs Half Day Tour from Puno: $28
- Sillustani Half Day Tour: $29
- 3h Boat Tour to Uros Island from Puno: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHuaraz $16Lake Titicaca (Puno) $14
When comparing the travel costs between Huaraz and Lake Titicaca (Puno), we can see that Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Huaraz or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Lake Titicaca (Puno) has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Huaraz. When comparing the sizes of Huaraz and Lake Titicaca (Puno), 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.