Which place is cheaper, Castro or San Cristobal de Las Casas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit San Cristobal de Las Casas or Castro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Cristobal de Las Casas or Castro? 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: San Cristobal de Las Casas or Castro?
San Cristobal de Las Casas
Far away from the luxuries of Cancun and Cabo, Mexico's San Cristobal de las Casas is a stunning colonial city located in the southern state of Chiapas. Due to its strategic location, the town is commonly used as a transfer point for travelers looking to cross the border between Guatemala and Mexico. San Cristobal also has an immensely strong appeal among budget-minded travelers as it's one of Mexico's most affordable cities.
Castro
The capital of Chiloe, modern and dynamic, has succeeded in keeping its authenticity even though it now has many gigantic supermarkets, hotels and other touristic infrastructures. It is located on the island's eastern coast, halfway between Ancud in the north and Quellon in the south, and is a convenient base for exploring the stunning sites in the region of Chiloe Island. The tourist information is located on the town square in front of the church.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Cristobal de Las Casas $101Castro $88
The average daily cost (per person) in San Cristobal de Las Casas is $101, while the average daily cost in Castro is $88. 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas and Castro in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Cristobal de Las Casas $47Castro $37
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Cristobal de Las Casas $94Castro $74
Compare Hotels in San Cristobal de Las Casas and Castro
Looking for a hotel in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Castro? 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: San Cristobal de Las Casas Hotel Prices and Castro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Cristobal de Las Casas $32Castro $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Cristobal de Las Casas
Also for San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Hotel in San Cristobal de las Casas to TGZ Airport: $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Castro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Castro:
- Chiloe Airport Private Transfer: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into San Cristobal de Las Casas or Castro?
Prices for flights to both Castro and San Cristobal de Las Casas 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 daySan Cristobal de Las Casas $23Castro $36
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Cristobal de Las Casas $14Castro $21
Tours and Activities in San Cristobal de Las Casas
For San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tour of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan: $19
- Rancho Nuevo Caves and Arcotete Ecotourism Center: $27
- Montebello Lakes and Chiflon Waterfalls Tour: $28
- Chamula and Zinacantan Indigenous Villages Tour: $30
- Tour to the Chiflón Waterfalls and Montebello Lagoons: $33
- Tour Sumidero Canyon and Magic Town of Chiapa de Corzo: $35
- Sumidero Canyon Tour: $36
- Tour to the Viewpoints, Sumidero Canyon and Chiapa de Corzo: $37
- Sumidero Canyon and Chiapa de Corzo Combo Tour: $42
- Full Day Tour of Montebello Lakes and El Chiflon Waterfall: $45
- Tour to San Juan Chamula & Zinacantan Indian communities: $46
- Agua Azul, Misol Hà Waterfalls and Palenque Ruins Tour: $48
Tours and Activities in Castro
Here are a few actual costs in Castro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bosque Piedra Reserve Tour: $106
- Castro Sightseeing Tour in Chiloe: $58
- Dalcahue and Quinchao Island Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $123
- Dock of Souls Trekking in Chiloe Private Tour: $189
- From Puerto Varas: Chiloe Island Full-day Tour: $65
- Full Day Private Chiloe National Park Tour Following "The Darwin´s Route" : $179
- Lemuy Island Tour from Castro: $178
- Lemuy Island in Chiloe Full Day Private Tour: $164
- Pier of Light Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $156
- Private Half Day Tour in Patrimonial Castro: $30
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Cristobal de Las Casas $30Castro $17
When comparing the travel costs between San Cristobal de Las Casas and Castro, we can see that San Cristobal de Las Casas 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. Even though San Cristobal de Las Casas is in North America and Castro is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Cristobal de Las Casas Expensive? and Is Castro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Cristobal de Las Casas or Castro?
San Cristobal de Las Casas has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Castro. When comparing the sizes of San Cristobal de Las Casas and Castro, 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.