Which place is cheaper, Cochabamba or Sucre?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sucre or Cochabamba?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sucre or Cochabamba? 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: Sucre or Cochabamba?
Sucre
Sucre is famous for its gorgeous town center and delightful climate, making it for many Bolivia's most beautiful city. Also considered the symbolic heart of the nation, 'La ciudad blanca' or the white city has preserved stunning whitewashed buildings sheltering pretty patios and other beauties of colonial architecture. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991 and is under strict controls on development. It offers many attractions including historic buildings and a renowned theatre, but you can also wander around prehistoric sites and discover indigenous culture in the surrounding towns and countryside.
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 3-Day Tours from La Paz, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bolivia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bolivia, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Bolivia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySucre $43Cochabamba $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Sucre is $43, while the average daily cost in Cochabamba is $63. 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 Sucre and Cochabamba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSucre $11Cochabamba $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSucre $22Cochabamba $50
Compare Hotels in Sucre and Cochabamba
Looking for a hotel in Sucre 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: Sucre Hotel Prices and Cochabamba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sucre $12Cochabamba $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sucre
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sucre are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$1.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sucre
Also for Sucre, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Sucre Airport SRE to Sucre by SUV or Car: $23
- Departure Transfer from Sucre to Sucre Airport by MiniVan or Bus: $27
- Private MiniVan or Bus Transfer from Sucre Airport SRE to Sucre: $28
- Private transfer Sucre - Uyuni, stopover in Potosí Mines: $227
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cochabamba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cochabamba:
- Airport - Hotels transfer Service 24/7: $28
- MiniVan or Bus Transfer from Cochabamba Airport CBB to Cochabamba: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Sucre or Cochabamba?
Prices for flights to both Cochabamba and Sucre 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 daySucre $18Cochabamba $22
Typical Food Prices in Sucre
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Sucre:
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Dinner$4.48
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Juice$0.87
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Juice$1.01
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Chocolate$1.73
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Cappuccino$4.34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sucre
For Sucre, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Bolivian Cooking Class w/ Cocktail Making by La Boca del Sapo, Sucre: $40
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sucre $16Cochabamba $25
Tours and Activities in Sucre
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sucre.
- Walking tour in History, Culture & Amazing Views: $18
- Walking tour Sucre: $18
- Guided Walking Tour in Sucre: $20
- Sucre City Tour with a German local! Something different!: $21
- Private Cultural Tour in Sucre with Visit to 3 Museums: $44
- JATUN YAMPARA - Nucleo Indigena, Agroartesanal - Half Day Tours: $58
- Sucre - Walking City Tour - Half Day - English Speaking guide: $64
- JATUN YAMPARA - Agro-artisan Indigenous Nucleus -Full Day Tours + Lunch: $79
- 2-Day Icla Canyon Tour from Sucre: $87
- City Tour & Museums - Private Service: $106
- Sucre City Tour With Visit to Cretaceous Park: $123
- From Uyuni salt flat tour 2 days 1 night: $125
Tours and Activities in Cochabamba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cochabamba are as follows:
- Parque Nacional Torotoro Tour 2 Días y 1 Noche : $228
- Tigre & Delta River Cruise - half day tour from Buenos Aires: $72
- Tour to Valle Alto (Tarata): $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySucre $13Cochabamba $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sucre and Cochabamba, we can see that Cochabamba is more expensive. And not only is Sucre much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sucre would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sucre 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 Cochabamba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cochabamba than you might in Sucre.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sucre Expensive? and Is Cochabamba Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sucre or Cochabamba?
Cochabamba has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sucre. When comparing the sizes of Sucre 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.