Which place is cheaper, Cochabamba 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 Cochabamba?
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 Cochabamba can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tilcara or Cochabamba?
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.
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 Photography Tours in Argentina, The Best Camping Tours in Argentina, The Best 10-Day Tours in Bolivia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Bolivia.
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Tilcara Prices
Argentina PricesCochabamba Prices
Bolivia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTilcara $78Cochabamba $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Tilcara is $78, while the average daily cost in Cochabamba is $79. 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 Cochabamba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTilcara $63Cochabamba $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTilcara $126Cochabamba $50
Compare Hotels in Tilcara and Cochabamba
Looking for a hotel in Tilcara 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: Tilcara Hotel Prices and Cochabamba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tilcara $3.09Cochabamba $16
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cochabamba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cochabamba:
- MiniVan or Bus Transfer from Cochabamba Airport CBB to Cochabamba: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Tilcara or Cochabamba?
Prices for flights to both Cochabamba 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 $7.41Cochabamba $38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cochabamba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cochabamba.
- Adelante Mujer Bolivian Cooking Workshops: $29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tilcara $22Cochabamba $25
Tours and Activities in Tilcara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tilcara.
- 2 hours cycling tour trough the rural area: $20
- From Salta: Tour to Humahuaca + Hornocal "Route of Colors and Heights": $128
Tours and Activities in Cochabamba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cochabamba are as follows:
- City of Eternal Spring: Self-Guided Tour of Downtown Cochabamba : $5.99
- Parque Nacional Torotoro Tour 2 Días y 1 Noche : $231
- Tigre & Delta River Cruise - half day tour from Buenos Aires: $85
- Tour to Valle Alto (Tarata): $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTilcara $4.87Cochabamba $15
When comparing the travel costs between Tilcara and Cochabamba, we can see that Cochabamba 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 Tilcara Expensive? and Is Cochabamba Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tilcara or Cochabamba?
Cochabamba has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Tilcara. When comparing the sizes of Tilcara 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.