Which place is cheaper, La Paz 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 La Paz?
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 La Paz can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tilcara or La Paz?
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.
La Paz
La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It has a population of about 215,000 people and is a significant commercial center for the region. The city has a good economy and a high standard of living when compared to much of Mexico. Much of the economy is focused on eco-tourism and there are many protected marine environments in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, The Best Camping Tours in Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico.
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Tilcara Prices
Argentina PricesLa Paz Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTilcara $78La Paz $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Tilcara is $78, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $132. 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 La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTilcara $63La Paz $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTilcara $126La Paz $94
Compare Hotels in Tilcara and La Paz
Looking for a hotel in Tilcara 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: Tilcara Hotel Prices and La Paz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tilcara $3.09La Paz $20
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 La Paz
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Paz:
- La Paz International Airport (LAP) to La Paz hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $159
- La Paz hotels to La Paz International Airport (LAP) - Departure Private Transfer: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Tilcara or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz 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 $7.41La Paz $60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Paz.
- 3 Hours of Guided La Paz Street Food Tour: $77
- 3 hrs SEAFOOD Tour in La Paz: $103
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tilcara $22La Paz $11
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 La Paz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Paz are as follows:
- 1 Day Espiritu Santo Island Wonders, Sea Lions and Paddleboard Adventure : $249
- 3 Hours La Paz Whale Shark First Class Snorkeling Tour: $167
- Adventure to Espiritu Santo Island: Snorkel with Sea Lions and Beach: $127
- Birding La Paz Mexico 4hrs.Tour : $160
- Birding Tour in La Paz Mexico: $177
- City Tour & Beaches from La Paz: $95
- Cultural and Culinary Tour of El Triunfo, Baja California Sur: $250
- Desert Off Road Adventure Tour in La Paz: $261
- Desert and Dunes ATV Adventure in La Paz BCS Mexico: $195
- Espíritu Santo and Balandra Beach Combo Tour: Sea Lion Snorkeling: $250
- Espiritu Santo Island Day Tour: $170
- Espiritu Santo Island Snorkel & Sea Lion Adventure: $145
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTilcara $4.87La Paz $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tilcara and La Paz, we can see that La Paz is more expensive. And not only is Tilcara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tilcara is in South America and La Paz is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Tilcara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tilcara 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 La Paz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Paz than you might in Tilcara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tilcara Expensive? and Is La Paz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tilcara or La Paz?
La Paz has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Tilcara. When comparing the sizes of Tilcara 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.