Which place is cheaper, Humahuaca or Tilcara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tilcara or Humahuaca?
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 Humahuaca can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tilcara or Humahuaca?
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.
Humahuaca
Located in the northwest region of Argentina, Humahuaca is a town nearly 3000m high in elevation, found on the border of the rio Grande. It is the largest settlement with the biggest population along the famous quebrada de Humahuaca gorge, but it has managed to keep its authenticity with its cobblestoned streets, adobe houses, quaint plazas filled with inhabitants of Andean traits and handicraft shops. If you have the chance to visit Humahuaca in February, during the carnival, you will appreciate how traditions are kept alive in this part of Argentina. Humahuaca has become a popular tourist destination in Argentina because of its beautiful setting next to the spectacular Serranía de Hornocal (colored mountains). While most visitors rapidly make their way through Humahuaca before continuing to the other two main Quebrada towns, Pumamarca and Tilcara, some enjoy spending a night or two there. Indeed, the town offers a perfect starting point to visit the region and has a few interesting landmarks not to miss, such as the historic church and Soto Avendano's Independence Monument. If you decide to stay in Humahuaca, remember that nights get chilly and ask the tourist office for any information (in the Cabildo, on the main square, opened Monday to Friday from 7h to 21h and Saturday from 9h to 12h and 13h to 16h and only Sunday mornings).
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Argentina, The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTilcara $8.25Humahuaca $6.72
The average daily cost (per person) in Tilcara is $8.25, while the average daily cost in Humahuaca is $6.72. 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 Humahuaca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTilcara $3.25Humahuaca $2.41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTilcara $6.50Humahuaca $4.82
Compare Hotels in Tilcara and Humahuaca
Looking for a hotel in Tilcara or Humahuaca? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tilcara $2.19Humahuaca $2.07
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tilcara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Tilcara:
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Taxi Ride$0.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Humahuaca
Also for Humahuaca, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Salta: 2-Day Cachi and Humahuaca Tour with Transfer: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Tilcara or Humahuaca?
Prices for flights to both Humahuaca 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 $3.41Humahuaca $2.63
Typical Food Prices in Tilcara
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tilcara:
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Sandwich$0.01
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Burger$0.01
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Fruit$0.01
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Sandwich$0.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tilcara
For Tilcara, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Northern Argentine cooking experience: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tilcara $1.95Humahuaca $2.56
Tours and Activities in Tilcara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tilcara.
- Bike Adventure through Juella with lunch: $35
- Full-Day Tour to Laguna de los Pozuelos from Tilcara: $162
- Private Full Day Tour to Salinas de Grandes and Barrancas: $130
- Purmamarca Night Experience: $30
- Serranías del Hornocal + Citytour Humahuaca: $30
- 2 hours cycling tour trough the rural area: $20
- Half day mountain bike tour with lunch: $35
Tours and Activities in Humahuaca
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Humahuaca.
- Hornocal: Full-Day Tour to the Hill of Seven Colors: $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTilcara $1.07Humahuaca $1.16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tilcara and Humahuaca, we can see that Tilcara is more expensive. And not only is Humahuaca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Humahuaca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Humahuaca 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 Humahuaca.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tilcara Expensive? and Is Humahuaca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tilcara or Humahuaca?
Humahuaca has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Tilcara. When comparing the sizes of Tilcara and Humahuaca, 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.