Which place is cheaper, La Paz or Pucon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Pucon or La Paz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pucon and La Paz 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: Pucon or La Paz?
Pucon
A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.
Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, The Best Luxury Tours to Chile, The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia, and The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPucon $100La Paz $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Pucon is $100, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $44. 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 Pucon and La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPucon $43La Paz $16
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPucon $86La Paz $32
Compare Hotels in Pucon and La Paz
Looking for a hotel in Pucon or La Paz? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pucon $19La Paz $9.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:
- Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $115
- Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
- Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in La Paz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:
-
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
- Airport Transfer Out_night: $25
- Bus Station Transfer Out_day: $25
- Bus Station Transfer Out_night : $25
- Airport to City Center Hotel Private Transfer: $29
- Private Transfer Airport to Hotels Service 24/7: $21
- Private Departure Transfer: La Paz Hotels to El Alto International Airport: $37
- Private Transfer From Bus Station to your Hotel in La Paz City : $54
- Private Transfer From Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City : $52
- 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
- Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City : $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Pucon or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz and Pucon 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 dayPucon $38La Paz $17
Typical Food Prices in La Paz
For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
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:
- La Paz Food Tour + Cable Car Cultural City tour: $45
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pucon $37La Paz $16
Tours and Activities in Pucon
Here are a few actual costs in Pucon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-Hour Rafting Experience in Pucon: $60
- Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177
- Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
- Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
- Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
- Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
- Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
- Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93
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 city tour La Paz: $2.66
- La Paz Half-Day Walking Tour: $3.00
- Be a Local - La Paz Walking Tour: $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
- Cable Car, Cemetery, Shaman, and El Alto Tour: $20
- City Tour Essential: $22
- El Tour Feminista: $25
- The Feminist Tour: $25
- Cholet Tour - Andean Architecture and Culture - El Alto: $26
- Tiwanaku Ruins Guided Shared Tour: $27
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPucon $27La Paz $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pucon and La Paz, we can see that Pucon is more expensive. And not only is La Paz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to La Paz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Paz 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 Pucon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pucon than you might in La Paz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pucon Expensive? and Is La Paz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pucon or La Paz?
La Paz has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Pucon. When comparing the sizes of Pucon and La Paz, 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.