A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Valdivia vs. La Paz for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Valdivia or La Paz?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Valdivia or La Paz? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Valdivia or La Paz?

Valdivia

Valdivia is a vibrant university city situated in southern Chile. It sits at the meeting point of three rivers in the aptly named Region de Los Rios (The Rivers Region) and is approximately 200 kilometers from both Temuco and Puerto Montt. Due to a large student population, Valdivia boasts a youthful and energetic vibe that is visible in its many bars, cafes and restaurants. The city is also known for having one of Chile's best craft beer cultures, which had its early beginnings when German settlers arrived in the 1840s. The rivers, nearby Pacific coastline and wetlands offer plenty for lovers of the outdoors, too.

La Paz

La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, has a breathtaking setting. The city is the highest national capital in the world, with an altitude ranging from about 4,058 m (13,313 ft) above sea level in El Alto, where the airport is located, to 3,100 m (10,170 ft) in the lower residential area. The dynamic and chaotic city was built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. La Paz is now a fusion of architectural styles, cultures and beliefs, welcoming everyday new boutique hotels, modern shops, delicious restaurants and reinventing standing establishments. However, generally speaking, Bolivia remains more a backpacker hit than a mainstream tourist destination.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Chile, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia, and The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia.


Which place is cheaper, La Paz or Valdivia?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Valdivia is $67, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $45. 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 Valdivia and La Paz in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Valdivia $39
    La Paz $16
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Valdivia $78
    La Paz $32
Compare Hotels in Valdivia and La Paz

Looking for a hotel in Valdivia 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.

Hotels in Valdivia


Hotels in La Paz


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: Valdivia Hotel Prices and La Paz Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Valdivia $7.90
    La Paz $9.51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valdivia

Also for Valdivia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Valdivia Airport Private Transfer: $52

Typical Local Transportation Prices in La Paz

Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz

Also for La Paz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from La Paz to Uyuni.: $295
  • Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City : $77
  • Private Transfer From Hotel to Airport in La Paz City : $68
  • Private Transfer From Bus Station to Hotel in La Paz City : $68
  • Private Transfer From Airport to Hotel in La Paz City: $60
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan La Paz Airport (LPB) - La Paz City: $55
  • Private Transfer From Bus Station to your Hotel in La Paz City : $54
  • Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City : $54
  • Private Transfer from your Hotel to Airport in La Paz City : $54
  • Private Transfer From Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City : $52
  • Airport Transfer In_night: $47
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle La Paz Airport (LPB) - La Paz City: $43

Is it cheaper to fly into Valdivia or La Paz?

Prices for flights to both La Paz and Valdivia 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Valdivia $21
    La Paz $17

Typical Food Prices in La Paz

For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Fruit
    $0.73

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz

For La Paz, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • La Paz Food Tour + Cable Car Cultural City tour: $45

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Valdivia $13
    La Paz $16

Tours and Activities in Valdivia

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Valdivia.

  • Sightseeing Tour in Valdivia : $76
  • Valdivia SUP Cruises for 6 People with Transportation Included: $35
  • Private City Tour: $90

Tours and Activities in La Paz

For La Paz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • From Private Tour to Tiwanaku Ruins and Puma Punku.: $173
  • 2-Day Private Lake Titicaca and Sun Island Tour from La Paz: $520
  • 2-day Private Guided Tour in Uyuni and La Paz: $240
  • 3 Day Death Road + Uyuni Salt Flats Tour From La Paz City: $280
  • Be a Local - La Paz Walking Tour: $8.00
  • Bicycle Tour on Death Road: $77
  • Chacaltaya 5,435m & Valle De Luna. 2 For 1 Special Tour.: $30
  • Cholet Tour - Andean Architecture and Culture - El Alto: $26
  • City Tour plus Cable Car La Paz: $10
  • City Tour with Drone!: $204
  • City Walking Tour in La Paz: $8.00
  • Copacabana - Lake Titicaca & Isla del Sol. Full Day. PRIVATE TOUR MINIMUM 2 PPL: $120

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Valdivia $4.68
    La Paz $11

Sample the Local Flavors in La Paz

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in La Paz:

  • Cultural Pub Crawl La Paz Nightlife Tour : $50


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Valdivia and La Paz, we can see that Valdivia is more expensive. And not only is La Paz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to La Paz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Paz 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 Valdivia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Valdivia than you might in La Paz.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Valdivia Expensive? and Is La Paz Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Valdivia or La Paz?

La Paz has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Valdivia. When comparing the sizes of Valdivia 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.