Which place is cheaper, La Paz 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 La Paz?
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 La Paz. 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 La Paz?
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.
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 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 $54La Paz $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Cruz de la Sierra is $54, 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra and La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Cruz de la Sierra $22La Paz $16
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Cruz de la Sierra $44La Paz $32
Compare Hotels in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and La Paz
Looking for a hotel in Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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: Santa Cruz de la Sierra Hotel Prices and La Paz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santa Cruz de la Sierra $9.90La Paz $9.45
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
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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz 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 $20La Paz $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 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.Santa Cruz de la Sierra $19La Paz $16
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 daySanta Cruz de la Sierra $14La Paz $11
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Cruz de la Sierra and La Paz, we can see that Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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 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 La Paz.
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 La Paz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santa Cruz de la Sierra or La Paz?
Santa Cruz de la Sierra has a larger population, and is about 68% larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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.