Which place is cheaper, Tilcara or Montanita?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montanita or Tilcara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Montanita or Tilcara, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Montanita or Tilcara?
Montanita
Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.
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 G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Argentina, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontanita $96Tilcara $8.25
The average daily cost (per person) in Montanita is $96, while the average daily cost in Tilcara is $8.25. 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 Montanita and Tilcara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontanita $41Tilcara $3.25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontanita $82Tilcara $6.50
Compare Hotels in Montanita and Tilcara
Looking for a hotel in Montanita 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: Tilcara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montanita $39Tilcara $2.19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tilcara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Tilcara:
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Taxi Ride$0.01
Is it cheaper to fly into Montanita or Tilcara?
Prices for flights to both Tilcara and Montanita 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 dayMontanita $28Tilcara $3.41
Typical Food Prices in Tilcara
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tilcara:
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Sandwich$0.01
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Burger$0.01
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Fruit$0.01
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Sandwich$0.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tilcara
For Tilcara, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Northern Argentine cooking experience: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montanita $31Tilcara $1.95
Tours and Activities in Tilcara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tilcara.
- Bike Adventure through Juella with lunch: $35
- Full-Day Tour to Laguna de los Pozuelos from Tilcara: $162
- Private Full Day Tour to Salinas de Grandes and Barrancas: $130
- Purmamarca Night Experience: $30
- Serranías del Hornocal + Citytour Humahuaca: $30
- 2 hours cycling tour trough the rural area: $20
- Half day mountain bike tour with lunch: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontanita $7.86Tilcara $1.07
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montanita and Tilcara, we can see that Montanita is more expensive. And not only is Tilcara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tilcara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tilcara 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 Montanita would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montanita than you might in Tilcara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montanita Expensive? and Is Tilcara Expensive?.
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.