Which place is cheaper, La Paz or Humahuaca?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Humahuaca or La Paz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Humahuaca or La Paz? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Humahuaca or La Paz?
Humahuaca
Located in the northwest region of Argentina, Humahuaca is a town nearly 3000m high in elevation, found on the border of the rio Grande. It is the largest settlement with the biggest population along the famous quebrada de Humahuaca gorge, but it has managed to keep its authenticity with its cobblestoned streets, adobe houses, quaint plazas filled with inhabitants of Andean traits and handicraft shops. If you have the chance to visit Humahuaca in February, during the carnival, you will appreciate how traditions are kept alive in this part of Argentina. Humahuaca has become a popular tourist destination in Argentina because of its beautiful setting next to the spectacular Serranía de Hornocal (colored mountains). While most visitors rapidly make their way through Humahuaca before continuing to the other two main Quebrada towns, Pumamarca and Tilcara, some enjoy spending a night or two there. Indeed, the town offers a perfect starting point to visit the region and has a few interesting landmarks not to miss, such as the historic church and Soto Avendano's Independence Monument. If you decide to stay in Humahuaca, remember that nights get chilly and ask the tourist office for any information (in the Cabildo, on the main square, opened Monday to Friday from 7h to 21h and Saturday from 9h to 12h and 13h to 16h and only Sunday mornings).
La Paz
La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It has a population of about 215,000 people and is a significant commercial center for the region. The city has a good economy and a high standard of living when compared to much of Mexico. Much of the economy is focused on eco-tourism and there are many protected marine environments in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHumahuaca $6.72La Paz $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Humahuaca is $6.72, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $118. 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 Humahuaca and La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHumahuaca $2.41La Paz $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHumahuaca $4.82La Paz $104
Compare Hotels in Humahuaca and La Paz
Looking for a hotel in Humahuaca or La Paz? 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: La Paz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Humahuaca $2.07La Paz $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Humahuaca
Also for Humahuaca, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Salta: 2-Day Cachi and Humahuaca Tour with Transfer: $66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Paz:
- La Paz Airport: Private Roundtrip Transfer to La Ventan: $259
- Private Transfer from La Paz to Cabo San Lucas: $240
- La Paz Int. Airport (LAP): Private Transfer to La Paz hotels: $174
- La Paz Airport to Costa Baja Private Roundtrip Transfer: $89
- Roundtrip Transfer to La Paz International Airport: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Humahuaca or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz and Humahuaca 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 dayHumahuaca $2.63La Paz $38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Paz.
- 4 Hours of Guided La Paz Street Food Tour: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Humahuaca $2.56La Paz $13
Tours and Activities in Humahuaca
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Humahuaca.
- Hornocal: Full-Day Tour to the Hill of Seven Colors: $70
Tours and Activities in La Paz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Paz are as follows:
- 1 Day Espiritu Santo Island Wonders, Sea Lions and Paddleboard Adventure : $249
- 3 Hour La Paz Whale Shark Snorkeling Experience: $244
- Adventure to Espiritu Santo Island: Snorkel with Sea Lions and Beach: $131
- Balandra & San Rafaelito: Sightseeing & Snorkelling: $135
- Balandra Beach and City Tour: $128
- Balandra Snorkel & Sea Lion Adventure: $135
- Can-Am X3 Turbo Adventure: Cabo Desert Trails & Beach Ride: $291
- City Tour & Beaches from La Paz: $91
- Cruise Date Delight! Swim with Sea Lions! Apr-02: $186
- Espíritu Santo Island snorkel and sightseeing tour on Small Group: $167
- Espiritu Santo Island Day Tour: $170
- Espiritu Santo Island Snorkel & Sea Lion Adventure: $145
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHumahuaca $1.16La Paz $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Humahuaca and La Paz, we can see that La Paz is more expensive. And not only is Humahuaca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Humahuaca is in South America and La Paz is in North 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 Humahuaca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Humahuaca 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 La Paz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Paz than you might in Humahuaca.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Humahuaca Expensive? and Is La Paz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Humahuaca or La Paz?
La Paz has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Humahuaca. When comparing the sizes of Humahuaca and La Paz, 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.