Which place is cheaper, Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tilcara or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
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.
Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Lake Titicaca, which directly translates to "puma stone" in Quechua, is located high in the Andes Mountains straddling Peru and Bolivia, with about 60% of the lake in Peru and 40% in Bolivia. Among the lake are three main islands, the most popular of which are the Uros Islands, also known as the floating islands, where the Uros people live on totora reeds that grow in the lake.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, The Best Camping Tours in Argentina, The Best Photography Tours in Peru, and The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Peru.
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Tilcara Prices
Argentina PricesLake Titicaca (Puno) Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTilcara $78Lake Titicaca (Puno) $70
The average daily cost (per person) in Tilcara is $78, while the average daily cost in Lake Titicaca (Puno) is $70. 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTilcara $63Lake Titicaca (Puno) $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTilcara $126Lake Titicaca (Puno) $56
Compare Hotels in Tilcara and Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Looking for a hotel in Tilcara or Lake Titicaca (Puno)? 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tilcara $3.09Lake Titicaca (Puno) $11
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
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Taxi$0.86
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
- Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay, English Speaking Driver: $229
- Private Transfer from Puno to Frontera Kasani: $222
- Private Transfer from Puno to Desaguadero: $212
- Private Transfer from Puno to Inca Manco Capac (JUL) Airport: $97
- Private Transfer from Inca Manco Capac (JUL) Airport to Puno: $97
- Private transfer airport-puno-viceverse: $60
- Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $50
- Private transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $47
- Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno Plaza de Armas: $40
- Private Transfer from Puerto de Puno to Hotel Puno: $23
- Juliaca Airport Shared Transfer to/from Puno: $20
- Puno Arrival Transfer from bus or railway Station: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Tilcara or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Prices for flights to both Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 $7.41Lake Titicaca (Puno) $28
Typical Food Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
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Tamales$1.58
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tilcara $22Lake Titicaca (Puno) $31
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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
- 2 Day Lake Titicaca Tour From Puno: $150
- 2 Day Tour to Uros, Amantani and Taquile from Puno: $69
- 2 Days and 1 Night Tour from Puno to Colca Canyon and Arequipa: $210
- 2 Days and One Night Tour on the Aymara Route and Churches in Juli: $90
- 2-Day Amantani Homestay Including Kayak Experience: $233
- 3-Hour Uros Floating Islands Tour from Puno: $13
- 3h Boat Tour to Uros Island from Puno: $40
- Aymara's route 1 day tour in Puno: Inca Uyo, Aramu Muru, Molloco: $90
- Chullpas de Sillustani Inca Cemetery Tour by Tourist Bus: $26
- Cultural Tour to Uros Floating Island: $60
- Full Day Guided Tour of the Aymara Route from Puno: $40
- Full Day Lake Titicaca Tour to Uros and Taquile Islands: $52
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTilcara $4.87Lake Titicaca (Puno) $14
When comparing the travel costs between Tilcara and Lake Titicaca (Puno), we can see that Tilcara 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tilcara or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Lake Titicaca (Puno) has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Tilcara. When comparing the sizes of Tilcara and Lake Titicaca (Puno), 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.