Which place is cheaper, La Paz or San Cristobal de Las Casas?
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 San Cristobal de Las Casas or La Paz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Cristobal de Las Casas or La Paz? 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 La Paz?
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.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia, and The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia.
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San Cristobal de Las Casas Prices
Mexico PricesLa Paz Prices
Bolivia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Cristobal de Las Casas $113La Paz $57
The average daily cost (per person) in San Cristobal de Las Casas is $113, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $57. 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 La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Cristobal de Las Casas $45La Paz $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Cristobal de Las Casas $90La Paz $32
Compare Hotels in San Cristobal de Las Casas and La Paz
Looking for a hotel in San Cristobal de Las Casas 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: San Cristobal de Las Casas Hotel Prices and La Paz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Cristobal de Las Casas $31La Paz $9.46
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: $103
Typical Local Transportation Prices in La Paz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Also for La Paz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from your Hotel to Airport in La Paz City: $54
- Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City: $77
- Private Transfer La Paz Airport LPB to La Paz City By Van or Suv: $38
- Private Transfer From your Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City: $68
- Private Transfer From Hotel to Airport in La Paz City: $68
- Private Transfer From Bus Station to your Hotel in La Paz City: $54
- Private Transfer From Bus Station to Hotel in La Paz City: $68
- Private Transfer From Airport to Hotel in La Paz City: $30
- Private Departure Transfer: La Paz Hotels to El Alto International Airport: $37
- Bus Station Transfer Out_night: $25
- Bus Station Transfer Out_day: $25
- Bus Station Transfer In_day: $25
Is it cheaper to fly into San Cristobal de Las Casas or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz 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
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Food Meals for one daySan Cristobal de Las Casas $39La Paz $29
Typical Food Prices in La Paz
For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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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:
- Bolivian Cooking Class: $28
- Learn Bolivian Cuisine/Cooking Class: $40
- La Paz : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $77
- Real Street Food Tour La Paz: $100
- Sabor Clandestino Sensory Dinner Experience in La Paz: $170
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Cristobal de Las Casas $14La Paz $16
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:
- Adventure to the Sumidero Canyon Viewpoints and Chiapa de Corzo: $54
- Bike Tour Chiapas Indigenous Peoples: $62
- Blue Water Misol-ha and Palenque Tour from San Cristobal.: $80
- Canyoning El Chorreadero Cave- Adventure Chiapas: $166
- Experiences Xanil Culture and Nature: $112
- Food Walking Tour San Cristobal de las Casas: $76
- From San Cristobal Tour to Agua Azul, Misol Ha and Palenque: $90
- Full Day Tour of Montebello Lakes and El Chiflon Waterfall: $60
- Full-Day Sumidero Canyon Tour with Boat Cruise from San Cristóbal de las Casas: $84
- Indigenous Communities Tour of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán: $46
- Palenque Archaelogical Site, Agua Azul and Misolha Waterfalls Combo Tour: $105
- Private Tour in San Cristobal de las Casas: $54
Tours and Activities in La Paz
For La Paz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- A Textile Tour: Pre-loom weavings: $80
- Be a Local - La Paz Walking Tour: $8.00
- Bike Tour to the Death Road: $125
- Bolivias Iconic Death Road Bike Adventure in La Paz: $79
- Cable Car, Cementery, Shaman and El Alto Adventure in La Paz: $22
- Chacaltaya 5,435m & Valle De Luna. 2 For 1 Special Tour.: $38
- Chacaltaya Mountain and Valley of the Moon Tour in La Paz: $35
- City Tour plus Cable Car La Paz: $10
- City Walking Tour in La Paz: $8.00
- Ciudad de La Paz ( City Tours " 03 a 04 Hrs ): $99
- Copacabana & Isla del Sol. 2Days1Night. SPANISH GUIDE. PRIVATE TOUR. MIN 2 PPL: $174
- Cusco Bus Ticket from La Paz City 7:30 a.m.: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Cristobal de Las Casas $29La Paz $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Cristobal de Las Casas and La Paz, we can see that San Cristobal de Las Casas is more expensive. And not only is La Paz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Cristobal de Las Casas is in North America and La Paz is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Cristobal de Las Casas 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas Expensive? and Is La Paz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Cristobal de Las Casas or La Paz?
La Paz has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of San Cristobal de Las Casas. When comparing the sizes of San Cristobal de Las Casas 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.