Which place is cheaper, La Paz or Kuala Lumpur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kuala Lumpur and La Paz. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, has a breathtaking setting. The city is the highest national capital in the world, with an altitude ranging from about 4,058 m (13,313 ft) above sea level in El Alto, where the airport is located, to 3,100 m (10,170 ft) in the lower residential area. The dynamic and chaotic city was built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. La Paz is now a fusion of architectural styles, cultures and beliefs, welcoming everyday new boutique hotels, modern shops, delicious restaurants and reinventing standing establishments. However, generally speaking, Bolivia remains more a backpacker hit than a mainstream tourist destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia, and The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $62, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $44. 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 Kuala Lumpur and La Paz in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur 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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:
Also for La Paz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both La Paz and Kuala Lumpur 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.
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For La Paz, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
For La Paz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in La Paz:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and La Paz, we can see that Kuala Lumpur is more expensive. And not only is La Paz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kuala Lumpur is in Asia and La Paz 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 La Paz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Paz 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 Kuala Lumpur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kuala Lumpur than you might in La Paz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive? and Is La Paz Expensive?.
Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 79% larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur 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.