Which place is cheaper, Tilcara or Manaus?
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 Manaus or Tilcara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Manaus or Tilcara? 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 Tilcara?
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.
Tilcara
Tilcara signifies shooting star in Quechua. At 2465m of altitude, the little town of Tilcara is one of the most animated place of the area of the quebrada de humahuaca. Many South American backpackers and tourists from all around the world come to visit Tilcara and its pucara, the forteresse built by the Incas at the top of the hill, providing a stunning walk around the town. Tilcara hosts many festivals for different occasions such as the celebration of the Pachamama in August, the semana santa (Holy Week) in April, and the Enero Tilcareno, held in January as its name indicates, which is probably the busiest month of the year for the little town. If you enjoy concerts, parades and folklorique parties then definitely try to visit Tilcara during a festival month and avoid them if you prefer a calm and more relaxed holiday. There are many available activities around Tilcara including horseback riding, VTT, and you could also even try a ride in a caravan pulled by llamas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, and The Best Camping Tours in Argentina.
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Manaus Prices
Brazil PricesTilcara Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManaus $66Tilcara $78
The average daily cost (per person) in Manaus is $66, while the average daily cost in Tilcara is $78. 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 Tilcara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManaus $41Tilcara $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManaus $82Tilcara $126
Compare Hotels in Manaus and Tilcara
Looking for a hotel in Manaus or Tilcara? 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: Manaus Hotel Prices and Tilcara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manaus $7.63Tilcara $3.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus
Also for Manaus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Privado Transfer Aeroporto to Hotel Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge: $171
- Private Transfer Group 24h Hotel to Airport in Manaus: $112
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $109
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $71
- Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Eduardo Gomes International Airport: $64
- Manaus private Airport transfer: $60
- Manaus Airport(MAO) to Manaus hotels- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $57
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) -Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Transfer from Manaus Airport to Manaus City: $45
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $36
- Serviço de Transfer Privado 24h Aeroporto - Hotel em Manaus: $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tilcara
Also for Tilcara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Solar Train of the Quebrada de Humahuaca: Ticket and Transfer: $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Manaus or Tilcara?
Prices for flights to both Tilcara 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
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Food Meals for one dayManaus $21Tilcara $7.41
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: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manaus -Tilcara $22
Tours and Activities in Manaus
For Manaus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adventure: 4-hour hike in the Amazon rainforest: $150
- Amazon Experience: Indigenous culture and nature phenomenon: $78
- Amazon Experience: meet a native village and swim with porpoises: $77
- Amazon Jungle Experience with Overnight: $300
- Amazon Jungle: 3- or 4-Day Tour at Ipanema River Guest House: $180
- Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
- Amazon Private Safari by Tuhiri Eco Tour - Leaving Manaus: $199
- Amazon Rainforest Tour, Trails, Jungle, Caves and Waterfalls: $165
- Amazon River Safari Boat Tour- Full Day Group Tour: $70
- Amazonas: 2, 3, or 4-Day Tour: $220
- City Tour Plus Amazon River Tour: $100
- City Tour in Manaus at Teatro Amazonas and Praça da Matriz: $55
Tours and Activities in Tilcara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tilcara.
- From Salta: Tour to Humahuaca + Hornocal "Route of Colors and Heights": $128
- 2 hours cycling tour trough the rural area: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManaus $2.72Tilcara $4.87
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manaus and Tilcara, we can see that Tilcara is more expensive. And not only is Manaus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Manaus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Manaus 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 Tilcara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tilcara than you might in Manaus.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manaus Expensive? and Is Tilcara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manaus or Tilcara?
Manaus has a larger population, and is about 280 times larger than the population of Tilcara. When comparing the sizes of Manaus and Tilcara, 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.