A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Manaus vs. Santa Cruz de la Sierra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Manaus or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Manaus or Santa Cruz de la Sierra? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Manaus or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?

Manaus

Manaus is a Brazilian city, capital of the state of Amazonas, and is located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River. The city is a major departure point for those visiting the Amazon Rainforest, though there are a few sights worth seeing within the city itself as well.

Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Santa Cruz de la Sierra, or simply Santa Cruz, is a larger city in the middle of Bolivia. It is also one of the most wealthy cities in the country. The city is also one of the fastest growing in the world. It is famous for its nightlife and it makes an excellent base for exploring many of the tourist attractions in the nearby areas.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Brazil, The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Bolivia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia.


Which place is cheaper, Santa Cruz de la Sierra or Manaus?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Manaus is $61, while the average daily cost in Santa Cruz de la Sierra is $54. 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 Manaus and Santa Cruz de la Sierra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Manaus $43
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Manaus $86
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $46
Compare Hotels in Manaus and Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Looking for a hotel in Manaus or Santa Cruz de la Sierra? 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.

Hotels in Manaus


Hotels in Santa Cruz de la Sierra


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: Manaus Hotel Prices and Santa Cruz de la Sierra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Manaus $8.12
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $9.96

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus

Also for Manaus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) -Departure Private Transfer: $21
  • Manaus Airport (MAO) to Manaus hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
  • Manaus Airport(MAO) to Manaus hotels- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
  • Manaus hotels to Manaus Airport(MAO) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
  • Manaus private Airport transfer: $30
  • Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
  • Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
  • Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
  • Private 24-hour transfer from the Hotel to the Airport in Manaus: $19
  • Private Transfer - Airport - Hotel / Hotel - Airport: $35
  • Private Transfer 24h Airport to Hotel in Manaus: $19
  • Private Transfers Services Airport -Hotel 24h: $20

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:


  • Taxi Ride
    $4.36
  • Mini Bus
    $0.58

Is it cheaper to fly into Manaus or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?

Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Manaus 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 day
    Manaus $13
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manaus

For Manaus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Folklore Amazonian Dinner Show: $42
  • Food Tour: $50

Typical Food Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:


  • Snacks
    $3.20
  • Chips
    $0.29
  • Banana
    $0.15
  • Cookies
    $1.31

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Manaus -
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $19

Tours and Activities in Manaus

For Manaus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Walking Tours in Manaus: $15
  • Like a Local Customized Guided Welcome Tour: $30
  • Manaus City Tour e Musa: $50
  • MUSA and INPA Museums with Observation Tower Tour: $50
  • Half-Day City Tour: $54
  • Full-Day Tour on the Amazon River: $55
  • Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
  • City Tour - The Best of Manaus: $64
  • Solimoes River Piranha Fishing and Alligator Watching Tour: $66
  • Amazon Waterfalls Tour: $70
  • Meeting of the Waters & Pink Dolphin Tour with Lunch: $71
  • Full-Day Package Tour in Presidente Figueiredo : $72

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Manaus $2.90
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $14

Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santa Cruz de la Sierra from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $1.60


When comparing the travel costs between Manaus and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, we can see that Manaus 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 Manaus Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz de la Sierra Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Manaus or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?

Manaus has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. When comparing the sizes of Manaus and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 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.