Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or La Paz?
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 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 Luxury Tours to Bolivia, The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
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La Paz Prices
Bolivia PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Paz $33Arequipa $61
The average daily cost (per person) in La Paz is $33, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $61. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Paz $9.28Arequipa $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Paz $19Arequipa $50
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Paz $5.45Arequipa $6.42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in La Paz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Also for La Paz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer Out_day: $25
- Bus Station Transfer In_day: $25
- Bus Station Transfer Out_day: $25
- Cholitas Wrestling Ticket – La Paz Show + Transfer: $30
- From 3-Day Uyuni Salt Flats Tour with Bus Transfers: $190
- From Uyuni Salt Flats 2-Day Tour with Bus Transfers: $208
- From Uyuni Salt Flats 2-Day Tour with Bus Transfers: $260
- From Uyuni Salt Flats 3-Day Tour with Bus Transfers: $209
- From Uyuni Salt Flats 3-Day Tour with Bus Transfers: $170
- From Uyuni Salt Flats 3-Day Tour with Bus Transfers: $190
- La Paz - Uyuni: Comfortable Private Transfer with Tour Guide: $250
- Cholitas Wrestling Tickets and Transfer: $25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$1.45
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Bus Ride$0.46
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Taxi Ride$1.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- Private Transfer from Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport to Hotel: $20
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $78
- Colca Canyon full day tour with transfer to Puno: $80
- Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
- Colca Canyon 2 days from Arequipa with final transfer to Puno: $85
- Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
- Arequipa Airport Private Transfer: $38
- Arequipa Airport Departure Transfer: $19
- Arequipa Airport Arrival Transfer: $13
- 2 Days Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno: $138
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
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Food Meals for one dayLa Paz $17Arequipa $25
Typical Food Prices in La Paz
For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Fruit$0.42
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:
- Morning Food Tour with Cable Car & Local Markets: $27
- Bolivian Cooking Class: $28
- Bolivian Cooking Class: $30
- Learn Bolivian Cuisine/Cooking Class: $40
- Cholita Tastes La Paz Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $49
- Paceño Plates La Paz Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $49
- Real Street Food Tour with Guide: $100
- Sabor Clandestino Sensory Dinner Experience in La Paz: $170
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
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Coke$0.43
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Lunch$3.04
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Ice Cream$1.16
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Fruit$0.87
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Ice Cream$1.01
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
- Cooking Class at La Plantation: $36
- Arequipa Nights Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Almuerzo Arequipa Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $63
- Arequipa : Food Tour and History (3 Restaurants and Market): $80
- Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
- Food Tour Gastronomic Guided: $119
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Paz $9.11Arequipa $19
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: $2.50
- Walking city tour La Paz: $2.50
- 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
- Be a Local Walking Tour: $8.00
- Private Viewpoint Tour with Snacks and Photos: $9.00
- City Tour plus Cable Car La Paz: $10
- La Paz Walking City tour plus Cable cars: $10
- Chualluma Street Art and Cholita Fashion Tour: $10
- Walking tour La Paz city: $14
- Walking and Cable Car City Tour; Urban Experience: $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Monastery Entry$2.89
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Salsa Class$2.89
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Movie Ticket$3.15
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Hot Springs$2.89
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: $288
- 2 Day Tour to Colca Canyon: $43
- 2 Days Climbing Volcano Chachani Tour, Conquer Your First 6,070m: $200
- 2 Days of Natural Experience in the Colca Canyon: $150
- 2 days 1 night Colca Canyon tour ending in Puno: $145
- 2 days and 1 night tour in the Colca Canyon: $205
- 2-Day Hiking Tour to the Colca Canyon: $120
- 2-Day Tour to the Magical Colca Canyon: $68
- 3 Hour Congata Rover Biking Ride Tour in Arequipa: $45
- 8-Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas with Pick-up: $30
- Afternoon : Arequipa Walking tour: $55
- All inclusive Full day tour Colca Canyon: all Meals & Entrances: $94
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Paz $6.18Arequipa $17
Sample the Local Flavors in La Paz
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in La Paz:
- Pub Crawl with VIP Entry and Welcome Shot: $24
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
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Beer$2.60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Paz and Arequipa, we can see that Arequipa is more expensive. And not only is La Paz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Arequipa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arequipa 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 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.