Which place is cheaper, Copacabana or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Santa Cruz de la Sierra or Copacabana?
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 Copacabana. 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 Copacabana?
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.
Copacabana
Copacabana, Bolivia, is a small, bright and enchanting town located on the Bolivian shore of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. Situated relatively close to the capital of La Paz, it is a popular resort mostly destination for foreign travellers, meaning that you may feel like there are more Argentinians and Americans than locals. Copacabana is the perfect jump-off point for visiting Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna and makes a pleasant stopover between La Paz and Puno or Cusco. Featuring beautiful nature walks, ancient sites, stunning sunsets and quaint little restaurants, Copacabana is a travelers' favorite destination to soak in the panoramic views, savor freshly caught trucha, and explore what the Incas believed to be the birthplace of their empire.
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Cruz de la Sierra $54Copacabana $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Cruz de la Sierra is $54, while the average daily cost in Copacabana is $42. 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 Copacabana in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Cruz de la Sierra $22Copacabana $11
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Cruz de la Sierra $44Copacabana $22
Compare Hotels in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Copacabana
Looking for a hotel in Santa Cruz de la Sierra or Copacabana? 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 Copacabana Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santa Cruz de la Sierra $9.90Copacabana $14
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:
-
Taxi Ride$4.34
-
Mini Bus$0.58
Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Cruz de la Sierra or Copacabana?
Prices for flights to both Copacabana 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
-
Food Meals for one daySanta Cruz de la Sierra $20Copacabana $17
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:
-
Snacks$3.18
-
Chips$0.29
-
Banana$0.14
-
Cookies$1.30
Typical Food Prices in Copacabana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Copacabana:
-
Lunch$3.61
-
Sandwich$1.16
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santa Cruz de la Sierra $19Copacabana $19
Tours and Activities in Copacabana
Here are a few actual costs in Copacabana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Titicaca Touristic Bus from Copacabana to La Paz_Everyday_1:00 p.m.: $12
- From La Paz: Cable car ride tour with tasting food.: $49
- Full day tour of Copacabana and Sun Island: $90
- Full Day Tour of Sun Island in Copacabana from La Paz: $100
- Titicaca Lake & Isla del Sol Catamaran Tour: $293
- CONDORIRI Mountain 5650m. 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT. TREKKING. English guide. Shared Tour: $300
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySanta Cruz de la Sierra $14Copacabana $12
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:
-
Beer$1.59
Typical Alcohol Prices in Copacabana
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Copacabana from other travelers:
-
Wine$2.89
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Copacabana, we can see that Santa Cruz de la Sierra is more expensive. And not only is Copacabana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Copacabana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Copacabana 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Cruz de la Sierra than you might in Copacabana.
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 Copacabana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santa Cruz de la Sierra or Copacabana?
Santa Cruz de la Sierra has a larger population, and is about 300 times larger than the population of Copacabana. When comparing the sizes of Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Copacabana, 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.