Which place is cheaper, Tilcara 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 Tilcara?
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 Tilcara can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Huaraz or Tilcara?
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.
Tilcara
Tilcara signifies shooting star in Quechua. At 2465m of altitude, the little town of Tilcara is one of the most animated place of the area of the quebrada de humahuaca. Many South American backpackers and tourists from all around the world come to visit Tilcara and its pucara, the forteresse built by the Incas at the top of the hill, providing a stunning walk around the town. Tilcara hosts many festivals for different occasions such as the celebration of the Pachamama in August, the semana santa (Holy Week) in April, and the Enero Tilcareno, held in January as its name indicates, which is probably the busiest month of the year for the little town. If you enjoy concerts, parades and folklorique parties then definitely try to visit Tilcara during a festival month and avoid them if you prefer a calm and more relaxed holiday. There are many available activities around Tilcara including horseback riding, VTT, and you could also even try a ride in a caravan pulled by llamas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru, The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, and The Best Camping Tours in Argentina.
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Huaraz Prices
Peru PricesTilcara Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHuaraz $66Tilcara $78
The average daily cost (per person) in Huaraz is $66, while the average daily cost in Tilcara is $78. 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 Tilcara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHuaraz $21Tilcara $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHuaraz $42Tilcara $126
Compare Hotels in Huaraz and Tilcara
Looking for a hotel in Huaraz or Tilcara? 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 Tilcara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Huaraz $11Tilcara $3.09
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huaraz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$2.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tilcara
Also for Tilcara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Solar Train of the Quebrada de Humahuaca: Ticket and Transfer: $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Huaraz or Tilcara?
Prices for flights to both Tilcara 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 $32Tilcara $7.41
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$6.31
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Chips$1.58
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Huaraz $21Tilcara $22
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:
- 2-Day Hatun Machay Tour: $439
- 3-day tour to Parón, Llanganuco and Laguna 69 from Huaraz: $150
- From Ancash: Tour Huaraz with Puya Raymondi 4D/3N: $197
- From Ancash: Tour fantastic in Huaraz 2D/1N: $92
- From Ancash: Tour in Huaraz with Hotel |5D-4N|: $250
- From Huaraz || Full day tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca: $40
- From Chavín de Huántar Full-Day Tour with Lunch: $55
- From Chavín de Huantar fullday tour: $56
- From Cordillera Huayhuash 8-Day Trekking Tour: $1,650
- From Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $35
- From Llanganuco Lagoon fullday tour: $65
- From Nevado Pastoruri Tour fullday tour: $65
Tours and Activities in Tilcara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tilcara.
- 2 hours cycling tour trough the rural area: $20
- From Salta: Tour to Humahuaca + Hornocal "Route of Colors and Heights": $128
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHuaraz $16Tilcara $4.87
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Huaraz and Tilcara, we can see that Tilcara is more expensive. And not only is Huaraz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Huaraz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huaraz 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 Tilcara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tilcara than you might in Huaraz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Huaraz Expensive? and Is Tilcara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Huaraz or Tilcara?
Huaraz has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Tilcara. When comparing the sizes of Huaraz and Tilcara, 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.