Which place is cheaper, La Paz or Sucre?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sucre or La Paz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sucre or La Paz? 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 La Paz?
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.
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 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 $43La Paz $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Sucre is $43, 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 Sucre and La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSucre $11La Paz $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSucre $22La Paz $32
Compare Hotels in Sucre and La Paz
Looking for a hotel in Sucre 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: Sucre Hotel Prices and La Paz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sucre $12La Paz $9.45
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 Sucre - Uyuni, stopover in Potosí Mines: $227
- Private Transfer from Sucre Airport SRE to Sucre by SUV or Car: $23
- Private MiniVan or Bus Transfer from Sucre Airport SRE to Sucre: $28
- Departure Transfer from Sucre to Sucre Airport by MiniVan or Bus: $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in La Paz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Also for La Paz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from La Paz to Uyuni.: $295
- Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City : $77
- Private Transfer From Hotel to Airport in La Paz City : $68
- Private Transfer From Airport to Hotel in La Paz City: $60
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan La Paz Airport (LPB) - La Paz City: $55
- Private Transfer From Bus Station to your Hotel in La Paz City : $54
- Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City : $54
- Private Transfer From Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City : $52
- Airport Transfer In_night: $47
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle La Paz Airport (LPB) - La Paz City: $43
- Private Departure Transfer: La Paz Hotels to El Alto International Airport: $37
- Airport to City Center Hotel Private Transfer: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Sucre or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz 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 $18La Paz $17
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
Typical Food Prices in La Paz
For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sucre $16La Paz $16
Tours and Activities in Sucre
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sucre.
- 2-Day Icla Canyon Tour from Sucre: $87
- From Tour in English Uyuni salt flat tour 2 Days: $150
- From Uyuni salt flat tour 2 days 1 night: $125
- Guided Walking Tour in Sucre: $20
- Hiking Tour in El Palmar from Sucre Bolivia: $250
- JATUN YAMPARA - Agro-artisan Indigenous Nucleus -Full Day Tours + Lunch: $79
- JATUN YAMPARA - Nucleo Indigena, Agroartesanal - Half Day Tours: $58
- Private Cultural Tour in Sucre with Visit to 3 Museums: $44
- Sucre - Walking City Tour - Half Day - English Speaking guide: $64
- Sucre City Tour With Visit to Cretaceous Park: $123
- Sucre City Tour with a German local! Something different!: $21
- City Tour & Museums - Private Service: $106
Tours and Activities in La Paz
For La Paz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- From Private Tour to Tiwanaku Ruins and Puma Punku.: $173
- La Paz, City Tour and Valley of the Moon - Half day: $268
- 2-Day Private Lake Titicaca and Sun Island Tour from La Paz: $520
- 2-day Private Guided Tour in Uyuni and La Paz: $240
- 3 Day Death Road + Uyuni Salt Flats Tour From La Paz City: $280
- Be a Local - La Paz Walking Tour: $8.00
- Bicycle Tour on Death Road: $77
- Bike Tour to the Death Road: $85
- Chacaltaya 5,435m & Valle De Luna. 2 For 1 Special Tour.: $30
- Cholet Tour - Andean Architecture and Culture - El Alto: $26
- City Tour plus Cable Car La Paz: $10
- City Tour with Drone!: $204
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySucre $13La Paz $11
Sample the Local Flavors in La Paz
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in La Paz:
- Cultural Pub Crawl La Paz Nightlife Tour : $50
When comparing the travel costs between Sucre and La Paz, we can see that La Paz 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 Sucre Expensive? and Is La Paz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sucre or La Paz?
La Paz has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sucre. When comparing the sizes of Sucre 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.