Which place is cheaper, Cusco 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 Cusco?
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 Cusco 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 Cusco?
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.
Cusco
Cusco is most famous as the historic capital of the Inca Empire. It is in the southern Sierras and is one of the most popular travel destinations within Peru. The city is located at 3,400 meters above sea level so it is best to acclimate yourself slowly to avoid altitude sickness.
Cusco is the starting point for many travelers making their way to the famed Machu Picchu or other Inca sites in the surrounding area.
The city is very beautiful and has impressive architecture throughout. The history is obvious as you walk around town and there are impressive ruins nearby, with the most impressive being Sacsayhuaman. The city also has a significant indigenous population that is obvious from their traditional clothing and style.
Cusco has a subtropical highland climate with a pleasant daytime temperature year around. There are two distinct seasons with the dry season being between May and August and the wet season between December and March. During the dry season there is plenty of sun with occasional nighttime freezes. Frost is less common in the wet season.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia, The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.
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La Paz Prices
Bolivia PricesCusco Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Paz $57Cusco $66
The average daily cost (per person) in La Paz is $57, while the average daily cost in Cusco is $66. 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 Cusco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Paz $16Cusco $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Paz $32Cusco $50
Compare Hotels in La Paz and Cusco
Looking for a hotel in La Paz or Cusco? 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 Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Paz $9.46Cusco $11
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 Out_day: $25
- Bus Station Transfer Out_day: $25
- Bus Station Transfer Out_night: $25
- Bus Station Transfer In_day: $25
- Private Departure Transfer: La Paz Hotels to El Alto International Airport: $37
- Private Transfer La Paz Airport LPB to La Paz City By Van or Suv: $38
- Private Transfer From Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City: $52
- Private Transfer from your Hotel to Airport in La Paz City: $54
- 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 From Bus Station to Hotel in La Paz City: $68
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cusco:
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Taxi Ride$1.18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- Transfer from hotel in Cusco to Airport Velasco Astete.: $12
- Transfer from Cusco Airport to Your Hotel: $25
- Transfer from Cusco Airport to Sacred Valley hotels: $34
- Transfer Cusco to Urubamba: $40
- Transfer Cusco to Sacred Valley of the Incas: $36
- Transfer Cusco to Poroy: $20
- Transfer Cusco to Ollantaytambo Station Outbound or Return: $32
- Transfer Cusco airport: $12
- Transfer Cusco Airport to Hotel in Cusco Round Trip: $22
- Transfer Cusco Airport to Hotel in Cusco (Round trip): $20
- Transfer Cusco Airport - Hotel or vice versa.: $20
- Transfer Cusco Airport - Hotel or Train Station: $12
Is it cheaper to fly into La Paz or Cusco?
Prices for flights to both Cusco 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 $29Cusco $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$0.72
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:
- Bolivian Cooking Class: $28
- Learn Bolivian Cuisine/Cooking Class: $40
- La Paz : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $77
- Real Street Food Tour La Paz: $100
- Sabor Clandestino Sensory Dinner Experience in La Paz: $170
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
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Sandwich$2.35
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Mango$0.59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.
- Short Peruvian Cooking Class by Pete: $30
- Bilingual Cooking Class with Pisco Cocktail in Cusco: $40
- Cusco Billingual Cooking Class at 6pm: $40
- Market-to-Table Peruvian Cooking Class and Cocktail in Cusco: $52
- Cusco Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo in Cusco: $54
- Cusco Cooking Class Adventure: $55
- Cooking Class in Sacred Valley 8 Recipes and Drinks: $55
- Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco: $65
- Cooking Class in Ollantaytambo: $68
- Peruvian Cooking Class in Cusco: $69
- Cooking Class Peruvian Culinary Experience with Local Chefs: $70
- Best Cusco walking tour: dinner street food tasting: $74
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Paz $16Cusco $32
Tours and Activities in La Paz
For La Paz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- La Paz City Walking Tour Including Historical Streets: $5.00
- Be a Local - La Paz Walking Tour: $8.00
- La Paz Walking City tour plus Cable cars: $10
- Live Virtual City Tour - La Paz: $10
- City Tour plus Cable Car La Paz: $10
- Half Day Guided Tour in El Alto City: $19
- El Alto Tour: Andean Spirituality, the Chola, and Cable Car Views: $20
- Cable Car, Cementery, Shaman and El Alto Adventure in La Paz: $22
- La Paz Must-See Attractions Walking Tour With A Guide: $24
- Cholet Tour - Andean Architecture and Culture - El Alto: $28
- Mystical Sunset in the Valley of Animas half-day tour: $28
- Walking Tour on the Political History of La Paz Bolivia: $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:
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Salsa Class$2.94
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- 1 Day Ausangate 7 Lagoons Hiking Tour & Hot Springs: $59
- 1 Day Rainbow Mountain Tour From Cusco: $60
- 1 Day Rainbow Mountain Walking Tour: $35
- 1 Day Sacred Valley Tour with Moray from Cusco: $61
- 1-Day Humantay Lake Tour From Cusco: $60
- 1-Day Tour Sacred Valley From Cusco: $120
- 2 Day Machu Picchu Tour by Car: $150
- 2 Day Machu Picchu by Car Tour Scenic Hike and Exploration: $130
- 2-Day Machu Picchu by Car Tour: $239
- 2-Day Private Tour Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass: $199
- 2-Day Rainbow Mountain Tour with Hotel Stay: $185
- 2-Day Tour to Floating Islands and Puno From Cusco: $238
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Paz $11Cusco $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco
Also in Cusco, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cusco Pub Crawl: Cusco Bar Hopping Experience: $22
When comparing the travel costs between La Paz and Cusco, we can see that Cusco 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 Cusco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Paz or Cusco?
La Paz has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of La Paz and Cusco, 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.