Which place is cheaper, Copacabana or La Paz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit La Paz or Copacabana?
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 Copacabana 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 Copacabana?
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.
Copacabana
Copacabana, Bolivia, is a small, bright and enchanting town located on the Bolivian shore of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. Situated relatively close to the capital of La Paz, it is a popular resort mostly destination for foreign travellers, meaning that you may feel like there are more Argentinians and Americans than locals. Copacabana is the perfect jump-off point for visiting Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna and makes a pleasant stopover between La Paz and Puno or Cusco. Featuring beautiful nature walks, ancient sites, stunning sunsets and quaint little restaurants, Copacabana is a travelers' favorite destination to soak in the panoramic views, savor freshly caught trucha, and explore what the Incas believed to be the birthplace of their empire.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in 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 $45Copacabana $42
The average daily cost (per person) in La Paz is $45, while the average daily cost in Copacabana is $42. 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 Copacabana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Paz $16Copacabana $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Paz $32Copacabana $22
Compare Hotels in La Paz and Copacabana
Looking for a hotel in La Paz or Copacabana? 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 Copacabana Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Paz $9.49Copacabana $14
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:
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into La Paz or Copacabana?
Prices for flights to both Copacabana 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 $17Copacabana $17
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$0.73
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 Copacabana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Copacabana:
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Lunch$3.63
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Sandwich$1.16
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Paz $16Copacabana $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: $2.72
- 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
Tours and Activities in Copacabana
Here are a few actual costs in Copacabana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- CONDORIRI Mountain 5650m. 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT. TREKKING. English guide. Shared Tour: $300
- COPACABANA + ISLA DEL SOL, TOUR PRIVADO FULL DAY: $120
- Copacabana, Sun Island 1 day private tour: $128
- From La Paz: Cable car ride tour with tasting food.: $49
- Full Day Tour of Sun Island in Copacabana from La Paz: $100
- La Paz, Full Day Tour COPACABANA + ISLAND OF THE SUN: $99
- Private Tour of La Paz City Sightseeing and Moon Valley: $200
- Sun and Moon tour: $95
- Titicaca Lake & Isla del Sol Catamaran Tour: $293
- Titicaca Touristic Bus from Copacabana to La Paz_Everyday_1:00 p.m.: $12
- Tour Puno,Isla del Sol - Lago Titicaca y Copacabana: $182
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Paz $11Copacabana $12
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 Copacabana
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Copacabana from other travelers:
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Wine$2.90
When comparing the travel costs between La Paz and Copacabana, we can see that La Paz 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 Copacabana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Paz or Copacabana?
La Paz has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Copacabana. When comparing the sizes of La Paz and Copacabana, 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.