Which place is cheaper, Cochabamba or La Paz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit La Paz or Cochabamba?
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 Cochabamba 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 Cochabamba?
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.
Cochabamba
With a population of about 630,000, Cochabamba is the fourth largest city in Bolivia. It's located about 240 kilometers from the capital city of La Paz and is surrounded by mountains, but sits within a valley.
The city is known for its gardens and has many sights to offer the visitor. Cochabamba offers a calming retreat that is a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of many South American cities. It's a great location to learn Spanish and there are plenty of activities and cultural events that you can enjoy in and around town.
Cochabamba's climate is semi-arid. There is an extended dry season between May and October and the wet season is from November to March. The days are warm and the nights are cool.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia, The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Bolivia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Bolivia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Paz $44Cochabamba $63
The average daily cost (per person) in La Paz is $44, while the average daily cost in Cochabamba is $63. 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 Cochabamba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Paz $16Cochabamba $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Paz $32Cochabamba $50
Compare Hotels in La Paz and Cochabamba
Looking for a hotel in La Paz or Cochabamba? 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 Cochabamba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Paz $9.45Cochabamba $16
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$0.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Also for La Paz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Airport to Hotels Service 24/7: $21
- Airport Transfer Out_night: $25
- Bus Station Transfer Out_day: $25
- Bus Station Transfer Out_night : $25
- Transfer in Private Minivan from La Paz Airport (LPB) - La Paz City: $27
- Private Transfer La Paz Airport LPB to La Paz City by MiniVan/Bus: $28
- Private transfer 24/7 El Alto Airport - Hotels La Paz: $28
- Airport to City Center Hotel Private Transfer: $29
- Private Departure Transfer: La Paz Hotels to El Alto International Airport: $37
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle La Paz Airport (LPB) - La Paz City: $43
- Airport Transfer In_night: $47
- Private Transfer From Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City : $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cochabamba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cochabamba:
- MiniVan or Bus Transfer from Cochabamba Airport CBB to Cochabamba: $28
- Airport - Hotels transfer Service 24/7: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into La Paz or Cochabamba?
Prices for flights to both Cochabamba 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 $17Cochabamba $22
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$0.72
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:
- La Paz Food Tour + Cable Car Cultural City tour: $45
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Paz $16Cochabamba $25
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 city tour La Paz: $2.66
- La Paz Half-Day Walking Tour: $3.00
- Be a Local - La Paz Walking Tour: $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
- Cable Car, Cemetery, Shaman, and El Alto Tour: $20
- City Tour Essential: $22
- El Tour Feminista: $25
- The Feminist Tour: $25
- Cholet Tour - Andean Architecture and Culture - El Alto: $26
- Tiwanaku Ruins Guided Shared Tour: $27
Tours and Activities in Cochabamba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cochabamba are as follows:
- Parque Nacional Torotoro Tour 2 Días y 1 Noche : $228
- Tigre & Delta River Cruise - half day tour from Buenos Aires: $72
- Tour to Valle Alto (Tarata): $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Paz $11Cochabamba $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Paz and Cochabamba, we can see that Cochabamba 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 Cochabamba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cochabamba 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 Cochabamba Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Paz or Cochabamba?
Cochabamba has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of La Paz and Cochabamba, 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.