Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or La Paz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit La Paz or Arequipa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between La Paz and Arequipa can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: La Paz or Arequipa?
La Paz
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.
Arequipa
Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Bolivia, The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia, The Best Luxury Tours to Peru, and The Best Budget Tours to Peru.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Paz $45Arequipa $46
The average daily cost (per person) in La Paz is $45, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $46. 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 Paz and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Paz $16Arequipa $23
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Paz $32Arequipa $46
Compare Hotels in La Paz and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in La Paz or Arequipa? 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 and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Paz $9.49Arequipa $5.86
Typical Local Transportation Prices in La Paz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$0.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Also for La Paz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer In_night: $47
- Bus Station Transfer Out_night : $25
- El Alto Airport Transfer Service - Hotels in La Paz: $21
- Private Transfer Airport to Hotels Service 24/7: $19
- La Paz:Private transfer from La Paz Hotels to El Alto Aiport: $19
- Private Departure Transfer: La Paz Hotels to El Alto International Airport: $37
- Private Transfer From Bus Station to Hotel in La Paz City : $68
- Private Transfer From Bus Station to your Hotel in La Paz City : $54
- Private Transfer From Hotel to Airport in La Paz City : $68
- Private Transfer From your Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City : $68
- Private Transfer La Paz Airport LPB to La Paz City by MiniVan/Bus: $28
- Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City : $54
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$1.32
-
Bus Ride$0.42
-
Taxi Ride$0.92
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- transfer Airport - Hotel: $21
- Sihanouk Ville Airport Pickup or Transfer Private Car: $32
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Arequipa Airport to Hotels: $51
- Private Transfer between Chivay and Puno: $299
- Private Transfer between Arequipa and Puno: $299
- Private Transfer From Arequipa To Puno With a 2 Hour Stop: $245
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $72
- Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
- From Colca Canyon Tour 1 Day and Transfer to Puno: $129
- From 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno: $98
- From 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno: $103
- Airport private transfer to/from the city center: $26
Is it cheaper to fly into La Paz or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and La Paz 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 dayLa Paz $17Arequipa $13
Typical Food Prices in La Paz
For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Fruit$0.73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz
For La Paz, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bolivian Cooking Class: $30
- La Paz Food Tour + Cable Car Cultural City tour: $65
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
-
Coke$0.40
-
Lunch$2.77
-
Ice Cream$1.06
-
Fruit$0.79
-
Ice Cream$0.92
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
- Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $48
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $48
- Cooking Class Typical Food in Arequipa: $48
- Private Cooking Class in Arequipa: $57
- Arequipa Ancestral Cuisine and City and Food Tour: $69
- A 3-hour Guided Food Tour with 4 Iconic Restaurants of Arequipa: $79
- Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour: $85
- Peruvian cooking experience, pisco sour and visit local market: $95
- Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
- Food Tour Experience: $115
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Paz $16Arequipa $18
Tours and Activities in La Paz
For La Paz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Walking tour of the city of La Paz: $2.72
- Walking city tour La Paz: $2.72
- La Paz Half-Day Walking Tour: $3.00
- La Paz City Walking Tour Including Historical Streets: $5.00
- City Walking Tour in La Paz: $8.00
- La Paz Walking City tour plus Cable cars: $10
- City Tour plus Cable Car La Paz: $10
- City Highlights Walking Tour with Cable Car Ride: $10
- Titicaca Lake - Bus Ticket - From La Paz City - Ow: $12
- Half Day Guided Tour in El Alto City: $15
- Cable Car, Cemetery, Shaman, and El Alto Tour: $20
- Cable Car, Cementery, Shaman and El Alto Adventure in La Paz: $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Monastery Entry$2.64
-
Salsa Class$2.64
-
Movie Ticket$2.88
-
Hot Springs$2.64
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Day - Colca Canyon and Condor Tour from Arequipa, Peru - Group Service : $295
- 2 Day Tour to Colca Canyon: $45
- 2 Days of Natural Experience in the Colca Canyon: $140
- 2 days and 1 night tour in the Colca Canyon: $205
- 2 days and 1 night tour to Colca Canyon from Arequipa: $90
- 2-Day Misti Volcano Tour: $117
- 2-Day Tour in Colca Valley: $60
- 2-Day Tour to the Magical Colca Canyon: $68
- 2-Day || Adventure From Arequipa to Chachani Volcano ||: $143
- 2-day tour to the Colca Valley and the Cruz del Condor: $99
- 3 Hour Congata Rover Biking Ride Tour in Arequipa: $45
- 3-Day Cotahuasi Canyon Tour: $350
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Paz $11Arequipa $15
Sample the Local Flavors in La Paz
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in La Paz:
- Cultural Pub Crawl La Paz Nightlife Tour : $50
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
-
Beer$2.38
Sample the Local Flavors in Arequipa
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Arequipa:
- Pub Crawl Tour in Arequipa with VIP Access.: $25
- From Pisco and wine tour through the Majes Valley: $50
- Pub Crawl Tour in Arequipa with Drinks and VIP Access.: $60
When comparing the travel costs between La Paz and Arequipa, we can see that Arequipa 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 La Paz Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Paz or Arequipa?
Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of La Paz and Arequipa, 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.