A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers La Ceiba vs. Santa Cruz de la Sierra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit La Ceiba or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?

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 La Ceiba and Santa Cruz de la Sierra can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: La Ceiba or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?

La Ceiba

La Ceiba is the third largest city in Honduras, situated on the north Caribbean coast. The city has a population of about a quarter million people. Many people who visit this city do so before heading into Pico Bonito National Park. It hasn't had the best infrastructure for tourists in the past but is developing fast. It is about 200 kilometers from San Pedro Sula, another large city in Honduras.

Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Santa Cruz de la Sierra, or simply Santa Cruz, is a larger city in the middle of Bolivia. It is also one of the most wealthy cities in the country. The city is also one of the fastest growing in the world. It is famous for its nightlife and it makes an excellent base for exploring many of the tourist attractions in the nearby areas.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Bolivia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia.


Which place is cheaper, Santa Cruz de la Sierra or La Ceiba?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • La Ceiba Prices
    Honduras Prices
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra Prices
    Bolivia Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    La Ceiba $74
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $68

The average daily cost (per person) in La Ceiba is $74, while the average daily cost in Santa Cruz de la Sierra is $68. 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 La Ceiba and Santa Cruz de la Sierra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    La Ceiba $22
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    La Ceiba $44
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $44
Compare Hotels in La Ceiba and Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Looking for a hotel in La Ceiba or Santa Cruz de la Sierra? 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.

Hotels in La Ceiba


Hotels in Santa Cruz de la Sierra


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 Ceiba Hotel Prices and Santa Cruz de la Sierra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    La Ceiba $30
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $9.90

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Ceiba

Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Ceiba:

  • Ferry Transfer between La Ceiba and Roatán Island: $43
  • From Copan: One Way Shared Transfer to La Ceiba: $29
  • From Roatan: One Way Shared transfer to La Ceiba: $49
  • Private Transfer from Goloson Airport (LCE) to Banana Coast Port: $180
  • Private Transfer from La Ceiba hotels to Banana Coast Cruise Port: $180

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:


  • Taxi Ride
    $4.34
  • Mini Bus
    $0.58

Is it cheaper to fly into La Ceiba or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?

Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz de la Sierra and La Ceiba 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    La Ceiba $30
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $34

Typical Food Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:


  • Snacks
    $3.18
  • Chips
    $0.29
  • Banana
    $0.14
  • Cookies
    $1.30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

  • Guided Street Food Tour: Santa Cruz de la Sierra: $10

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    La Ceiba $21
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $19

Tours and Activities in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Here are a few actual costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Walking tour - A journey through the History of Santa Cruz: $11
  • Lomas de Arena Sandboarding Tour: $42
  • Santa Cruz: Wildlife Sanctuary and Preservation Park Tour: $85
  • Day Tour /El Fuerte & Samaipata: $98
  • Day Tour Jardin de las Delicias: $99

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    La Ceiba $4.85
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $14

Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santa Cruz de la Sierra from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $1.59

Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Also in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Bolivia: Bolivian Wine Tasting with Charcuterie Board: $39


When comparing the travel costs between La Ceiba and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, we can see that La Ceiba 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. Even though La Ceiba is in Central America and Santa Cruz de la Sierra is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Ceiba Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz de la Sierra Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, La Ceiba or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?

Santa Cruz de la Sierra has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of La Ceiba. When comparing the sizes of La Ceiba and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 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.