Which place is cheaper, La Paz or Cali?
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 Cali or La Paz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cali and La Paz can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Cali or La Paz?
Cali
Cali is Colombia's third largest city. Founded in 1536, can be explored on foot: walk under the shade of trees along the riverbank, admire the architecture of churches and other national monuments, and visit the city's many museums. Being the salsa capital of the world, Cali is primarily a destination for salsa and party but it also offers some great days out in the nearby natural surroundings. In Cali, travelers can enjoy music festivals, learn about sugarcane farming, and take in the mountainous landscapes.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bogota, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Colombia, The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico.
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Cali Prices
Colombia PricesLa Paz Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCali $31La Paz $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Cali is $31, 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 Cali and La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCali $6.02La Paz $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCali $12La Paz $94
Compare Hotels in Cali and La Paz
Looking for a hotel in Cali 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: Cali Hotel Prices and La Paz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cali $5.62La Paz $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cali:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cali
Also for Cali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport : $20
- Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airpot One Way Transfer: $20
- Airport Transfers to Cali Hotels: $28
- Airport Transfers Cali (per way): $34
- Transfer Airport Private- Hotels North: $36
- Alfonso Airport (CLO) to Cali/Palmira - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Transfer from Hotel Zone to Cali Airport: $39
- Cali/Palmira to Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) - Private Transfer: $46
- Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minivan: $71
- Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by Minivan: $71
- Arrival Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by MiniSuv: $93
- Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) to Cali/Palmira-RoundTrip Transfer: $93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Paz:
- La Paz hotels to La Paz International Airport (LAP) - Departure Private Transfer: $80
- La Paz International Airport (LAP) to La Paz hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $159
Is it cheaper to fly into Cali or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz and Cali 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 dayCali $15La Paz $60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cali
For Cali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour: $23
- Street Food Tour: $29
- Cali tastes good! Authentic street food tour through the salsa capital: $53
- Alameda Market Food Tour: $55
- Traditional Colombian Meal Cooking Class: $67
- Street Food Tour - Live A Unique Gastronomic Experience: $67
- Flavors of Food tour at the local market: $73
- Food Tour San Antonio: $75
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.Cali $11La Paz $11
Tours and Activities in Cali
For Cali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Historical Shared Tour Salsa, Graffiti & Resistance in Cali: $10
- Shared Tour of the Historical and Cultural Center of Cali: $10
- Shared Tour Cali's Local Food at Alameda Market: $12
- Shared Tour Cali's Historical Downtown: $12
- Shared Tour Cali's Salsa, Graffiti & Resistance Experience: $12
- Chiva Private Cultural Tour with Audio Guide in Buga: $15
- Cali Zoo Access Ticket: $15
- Cultural and heritage Cali tour: $15
- Ceramic Workshop for Tourists: $18
- Tour in Cali : Culture, Tropical Fruits and Sauce: $23
- Walking tour of the historic center: $25
- Coffee Tasting Experience in Cali Colombia : $26
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 dayCali $8.48La Paz $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Cali
Also in Cali, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cali, Colombia: $25
- Craft Beer Pub Crawl in Cali: $40
- Salsa Pub Crawl in Cali: $45
- Paragliding + Wine tasting + Hacienda El Paraiso + Saint Helena: $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cali and La Paz, we can see that La Paz is more expensive. And not only is Cali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cali 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 Cali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cali 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 Cali.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cali Expensive? and Is La Paz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cali or La Paz?
Cali has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of Cali 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.