Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Sucre?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sucre or Machu Picchu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sucre or Machu Picchu? 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 Machu Picchu?
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.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a site of ancient Inca ruins located about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Cuzco, Peru, in the Cordillera de Vilcabamba of the Andes Mountains. It is perched above the Urubamba River valley in a narrow saddle between two sharp peaks, Machu Picchu ("Old Peak") and Huayna Picchu ("New Peak"), at an elevation of 7,710 feet (2,350 metres). One of the few major pre-Columbian ruins found nearly intact, Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Thus, Machu Picchu is not only an impressive remnant of the Inca civilization, it is also one of the world's most important archaeological sites. A stop at Machu Picchu is an essential part of any traveler's itinerary in Peru, as it is one of the seven wonders of the world.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from La Paz, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bolivia, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySucre $43Machu Picchu $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Sucre is $43, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is $101. 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 Machu Picchu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSucre $11Machu Picchu $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSucre $22Machu Picchu $84
Compare Hotels in Sucre and Machu Picchu
Looking for a hotel in Sucre or Machu Picchu? 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 Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sucre $12Machu Picchu $30
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 MiniVan or Bus Transfer from Sucre Airport SRE to Sucre: $28
- Departure Transfer from Sucre to Sucre Airport by MiniVan or Bus: $27
- Private Transfer from Sucre Airport SRE to Sucre by SUV or Car: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Sucre or Machu Picchu?
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu 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 $18Machu Picchu $19
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 $16Machu Picchu $74
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
- Private Half Day Tour: Sucre Walking Tour with Hotel Pick up: $67
- 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!: $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Machu Picchu
For Machu Picchu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Gardens of Mandor$2.71
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySucre $13Machu Picchu $6.90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sucre and Machu Picchu, we can see that Machu Picchu 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 Machu Picchu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Machu Picchu 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 Machu Picchu Expensive?.
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.