Which place is cheaper, Cafayate or Tilcara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Tilcara or Cafayate?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Tilcara and Cafayate can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tilcara or Cafayate?
Tilcara
Tilcara signifies shooting star in Quechua. At 2465m of altitude, the little town of Tilcara is one of the most animated place of the area of the quebrada de humahuaca. Many South American backpackers and tourists from all around the world come to visit Tilcara and its pucara, the forteresse built by the Incas at the top of the hill, providing a stunning walk around the town. Tilcara hosts many festivals for different occasions such as the celebration of the Pachamama in August, the semana santa (Holy Week) in April, and the Enero Tilcareno, held in January as its name indicates, which is probably the busiest month of the year for the little town. If you enjoy concerts, parades and folklorique parties then definitely try to visit Tilcara during a festival month and avoid them if you prefer a calm and more relaxed holiday. There are many available activities around Tilcara including horseback riding, VTT, and you could also even try a ride in a caravan pulled by llamas.
Cafayate
Cafayate is located in the province of Salta, in the central zone of the Valles Calchaquies. The small town has about 12,000 residents and is 1,329 kilometers from Buenos Aires.
People head to the small town of Cafayate to explore its vineyards and unique rock formations. It has become an important tourist destination in the area and there is a large golf course under construction just outside of town.
Cafayate is an important wine production center. The wines in the area thrive from the low humidity mild weather of the valleys. The town receives less than 250 millimeters of precipitation a year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, The Best Camping Tours in Argentina, The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, and The Best Budget Tours to Argentina.
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Tilcara Prices
Argentina PricesCafayate Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTilcara $78Cafayate $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Tilcara is $78, while the average daily cost in Cafayate is $53. 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 Tilcara and Cafayate in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTilcara $63Cafayate $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTilcara $126Cafayate $68
Compare Hotels in Tilcara and Cafayate
Looking for a hotel in Tilcara or Cafayate? 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: Tilcara Hotel Prices and Cafayate Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tilcara $3.09Cafayate $5.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tilcara
Also for Tilcara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Solar Train of the Quebrada de Humahuaca: Ticket and Transfer: $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Tilcara or Cafayate?
Prices for flights to both Cafayate and Tilcara 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 dayTilcara $7.41Cafayate $6.46
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tilcara $22Cafayate $40
Tours and Activities in Tilcara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tilcara.
- From Salta: Tour to Humahuaca + Hornocal "Route of Colors and Heights": $128
- 2 hours cycling tour trough the rural area: $20
Tours and Activities in Cafayate
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cafayate.
- Foz do Iguaçu: Day Tour of the Argentina and Brazil Sides: $96
- From Salta: Cafayate, Cachi, & Hornocal 3-Day Tour: $136
- From Salta: Cafayate, Humahuaca & Salinas Grandes 3-Day Tour: $106
- From Salta: Cafayate, Salinas Grandes, & Hornocal Tour: $128
- From Salta: Full-Day Wine and Valley Tour to Cafayate: $45
- From Salta: Local Landscape, Winery, and Culture Tour: $130
- Unveiling Premium Wine Road Adventure: $127
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTilcara $4.87Cafayate $19
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tilcara and Cafayate, we can see that Tilcara is more expensive. And not only is Cafayate much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cafayate would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cafayate 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 Tilcara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tilcara than you might in Cafayate.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tilcara Expensive? and Is Cafayate Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tilcara or Cafayate?
Cafayate has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Tilcara. When comparing the sizes of Tilcara and Cafayate, 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.