Which place is cheaper, Cochabamba or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra or Cochabamba?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Cochabamba. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Santa Cruz de la Sierra or Cochabamba?
Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, or simply Santa Cruz, is a larger city in the middle of Bolivia. It is also one of the most wealthy cities in the country. The city is also one of the fastest growing in the world. It is famous for its nightlife and it makes an excellent base for exploring many of the tourist attractions in the nearby areas.
Cochabamba
With a population of about 630,000, Cochabamba is the fourth largest city in Bolivia. It's located about 240 kilometers from the capital city of La Paz and is surrounded by mountains, but sits within a valley.
The city is known for its gardens and has many sights to offer the visitor. Cochabamba offers a calming retreat that is a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of many South American cities. It's a great location to learn Spanish and there are plenty of activities and cultural events that you can enjoy in and around town.
Cochabamba's climate is semi-arid. There is an extended dry season between May and October and the wet season is from November to March. The days are warm and the nights are cool.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Bolivia, The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia, The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Bolivia.
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Santa Cruz de la Sierra Prices
Bolivia PricesCochabamba Prices
Bolivia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Cruz de la Sierra $68Cochabamba $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Cruz de la Sierra is $68, while the average daily cost in Cochabamba is $79. 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Cochabamba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Cruz de la Sierra $22Cochabamba $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Cruz de la Sierra $44Cochabamba $50
Compare Hotels in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Cochabamba
Looking for a hotel in Santa Cruz de la Sierra or Cochabamba? 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: Santa Cruz de la Sierra Hotel Prices and Cochabamba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santa Cruz de la Sierra $9.86Cochabamba $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:
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Taxi Ride$4.31
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Mini Bus$0.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cochabamba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cochabamba:
- MiniVan or Bus Transfer from Cochabamba Airport CBB to Cochabamba: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Cruz de la Sierra or Cochabamba?
Prices for flights to both Cochabamba and Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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 daySanta Cruz de la Sierra $34Cochabamba $38
Typical Food Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:
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Snacks$3.16
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Chips$0.29
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Banana$0.14
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Cookies$1.29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cochabamba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cochabamba.
- Adelante Mujer Bolivian Cooking Workshops: $29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santa Cruz de la Sierra $18Cochabamba $25
Tours and Activities in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Here are a few actual costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Walking tour - A journey through the History of Santa Cruz: $11
- Lomas de Arena Sandboarding Tour: $49
- Santa Cruz: Wildlife Sanctuary and Preservation Park Tour: $85
- Motocicle Jungle Day Tour: $95
- Day Tour Jardin de las Delicias: $140
Tours and Activities in Cochabamba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cochabamba are as follows:
- City of Eternal Spring: Self-Guided Tour of Downtown Cochabamba : $5.99
- Walking tour in Cochabamba not your average: $15
- Tour to Valle Alto (Tarata): $39
- City Highlights Walking Tour groups: $65
- Tigre & Delta River Cruise - half day tour from Buenos Aires: $85
- Parque Nacional Torotoro Tour 2 Días y 1 Noche : $231
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanta Cruz de la Sierra $14Cochabamba $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santa Cruz de la Sierra from other travelers:
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Beer$1.58
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Also in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bolivia: Bolivian Wine Tasting with Charcuterie Board: $35
When comparing the travel costs between Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Cochabamba, we can see that Cochabamba 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. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santa Cruz de la Sierra Expensive? and Is Cochabamba Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santa Cruz de la Sierra or Cochabamba?
Santa Cruz de la Sierra has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Cochabamba. When comparing the sizes of Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Cochabamba, 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.