Which place is cheaper, La Paz or Santiago?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santiago 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 Santiago 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: Santiago or La Paz?
Santiago
Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.
Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.
La Paz
La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It has a population of about 215,000 people and is a significant commercial center for the region. The city has a good economy and a high standard of living when compared to much of Mexico. Much of the economy is focused on eco-tourism and there are many protected marine environments in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile, The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantiago $141La Paz $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $141, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $118. 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 Santiago and La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantiago $110La Paz $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago $220La Paz $104
Compare Hotels in Santiago and La Paz
Looking for a hotel in Santiago 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: Santiago Hotel Prices and La Paz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santiago $5.41La Paz $22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
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Metro Ride$1.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Arturo Merino Benítez Intl Airport: Shared Transfer: $24
- Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $25
- Santiago Airport (SCL) to Santiago hotels - Arrival Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer From The Hotel in Santiago City To the Airport: $29
- Private Transfer from the Airport to Santiago City: $29
- Private Transfer: $31
- Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $35
- From Farellones/Valle Nevado Roundtrip Transfer: $35
- Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
- Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
- Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $39
- Santiago de Chile Airport Private Transfer: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Paz:
- Roundtrip Transfer to La Paz International Airport: $73
- La Paz Airport to Costa Baja Private Roundtrip Transfer: $89
- La Paz Int. Airport (LAP): Private Transfer to La Paz hotels: $174
- Private Transfer from La Paz to Cabo San Lucas: $240
- La Paz Airport: Private Roundtrip Transfer to La Ventan: $259
Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz and Santiago 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 daySantiago $13La Paz $38
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.89
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Hamburger$2.50
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Dinner$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $94
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
- Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
- Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner and Show: $150
- Private Dinner and Show with Transfers: $158
- Traditional Chilean Cooking Class with a Local in Her Santiago Countryside Home: $168
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Paz.
- 4 Hours of Guided La Paz Street Food Tour: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santiago $47La Paz $13
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
- Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
- La Paz from the Heights: Down hill Walking tour & Cable Cars: $12
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $15
- Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $23
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
- Skip the Line: Concha y Toro Traditional Tour Ticket: $25
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
- Walking tour through Santiago: $26
- From Valle Nevado and Farellones Small Group Tour: $29
- Small-Group Tour to Valle Nevado and Farellones from Santiago: $29
Tours and Activities in La Paz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Paz are as follows:
- Transparent Boat Tour with Mushroom Rock: $64
- Pearls of Pearl Farm Experience: $64
- Half Day Sandboarding and Paddleboarding Experience in La Paz: $81
- Unique Mexican Spirits Tasting & Pairing Experience: $85
- Sunset Sandboarding at La Paz Dunes Tour: $89
- City Tour & Beaches from La Paz: $91
- Supercombo 2-Day City Tour: $105
- Half Day Private Tour of the Beaches of La Paz: $113
- From Los Cabos: City Tour La Paz, Balandra and Todos Santos: $115
- holy spirit island tour: $116
- Los Cabos Tour from La Paz: $119
- Snorkel Tour with Whale Shark in La Paz: $119
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantiago $8.41La Paz $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $37
- Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $62
- Undurraga Wine tour: $63
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
- From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $99
- Private Tour: Viña del Mar and Valparaíso Tour with Wine Tasting in Casablanca Valley: $143
- Premium Wine Tasting and Tour at Santa Rita with Transport: $145
- Santa Rita: Ultra Premium Wine Tasting, Tour and Transport: $145
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santiago and La Paz, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is La Paz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santiago is in South America and La Paz is in North 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 Santiago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santiago 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 Santiago Expensive? and Is La Paz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santiago or La Paz?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of Santiago 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.
When is the best time to visit Santiago or La Paz?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Santiago is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but La Paz has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Santiago or La Paz in the Summer?
Both La Paz and Santiago are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to La Paz because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
Santiago is cooler than La Paz in the summer. The daily temperature in Santiago averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and La Paz fluctuates around 30°C (86°F)in July.
In January, Santiago usually receives less rain than La Pazin July. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySantiago 21°C (70°F)La Paz 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Santiago or La Paz in the Autumn?
Both La Paz and Santiago during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to La Paz this time of year.
In the autumn, Santiago is much colder than La Paz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santiago in April average around 15°C (59°F), and La Paz averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.
Santiago usually gets less rain in April than La Pazin October. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSantiago 15°C (59°F)La Paz 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Santiago or La Paz in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago and La Paz. Furthermore, many travelers come to La Paz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In July, Santiago is generally much colder than La Pazin January. Daily temperatures in Santiago average around 9°C (48°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
In July, Santiago usually receives more rain than La Pazin January. Santiago gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySantiago 9°C (48°F)La Paz 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Santiago or La Paz in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Santiago as well as La Paz. Additionally, many visitors come to La Paz in the spring for the beaches.
Santiago is much colder than La Paz in the spring. The daily temperature in Santiago averages around 15°C (59°F) in October, and La Paz fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.
Santiago usually gets more rain in October than La Pazin April. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSantiago 15°C (59°F)La Paz 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for La Paz and Santiago
| Santiago | La Paz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
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.