Which place is cheaper, Lake Titicaca (Puno) or La Paz?
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 La Paz or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between La Paz and Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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: La Paz or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
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.
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 Luxury Tours to Bolivia, The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia, The Best Photography Tours in Peru, and The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Peru.
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La Paz Prices
Bolivia PricesLake Titicaca (Puno) Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Paz $56Lake Titicaca (Puno) $70
The average daily cost (per person) in La Paz is $56, 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 La Paz and Lake Titicaca (Puno) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Paz $16Lake Titicaca (Puno) $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Paz $32Lake Titicaca (Puno) $56
Compare Hotels in La Paz and Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Looking for a hotel in La Paz 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: La Paz Hotel Prices and Lake Titicaca (Puno) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Paz $9.45Lake Titicaca (Puno) $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in La Paz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Also for La Paz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bus Station Transfer Out_night : $25
- Private Transfer La Paz Airport LPB to La Paz City by MiniVan/Bus: $28
- Private Transfer from El Alto Airport to La Paz, Bolivia Hotels: $28
- Private Departure Transfer: La Paz Hotels to El Alto International Airport: $37
- Airport Transfer In_night: $47
- Private Transfer From Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City : $52
- Private Transfer from your Hotel to Airport in La Paz City : $54
- Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City : $54
- Private Transfer From Hotel to Airport in La Paz City : $68
- Private Transfer From your Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City : $68
- Private Transfer From Bus Station to Hotel in La Paz City : $68
- Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City : $77
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):
- Puno Arrival Transfer from bus or railway Station: $14
- Private transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $47
- Private transfer airport-puno-viceverse: $60
- Private Transfer from Puno to Inca Manco Capac (JUL) Airport: $97
- Private Transfer from Puno to Frontera Kasani: $222
- Private Transfer from Puno to Desaguadero: $212
- Private Transfer from Puerto de Puno to Hotel Puno: $23
- Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $50
- Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno Plaza de Armas: $40
- Private Transfer from Inca Manco Capac (JUL) Airport to Puno: $97
- Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay, English Speaking Driver: $229
- Juliaca Airport Shared Transfer to/from Puno: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into La Paz or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Prices for flights to both Lake Titicaca (Puno) and La Paz 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 dayLa Paz $29Lake Titicaca (Puno) $28
Typical Food Prices in La Paz
For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Fruit$0.72
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 : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $77
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.La Paz $16Lake Titicaca (Puno) $31
Tours and Activities in La Paz
For La Paz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- La Paz City Walking Tour Including Historical Streets: $5.00
- City Walking Tour in La Paz: $8.00
- City Tour plus Cable Car La Paz: $10
- La Paz Walking City tour plus Cable cars: $10
- Walking tour La Paz city: $14
- El Alto Tour: Andean Spirituality, the Chola, and Cable Car Views: $16
- Half Day Guided Tour in El Alto City: $19
- La Paz City Tour Essential: $23
- Cholet Tour - Andean Architecture and Culture - El Alto: $26
- La Paz Private Walking Tour with a Local: $30
- La Paz Guided Sightseeing Tour on Bus and Cable Car: $30
- Smells like La Paz spirit: Walking & artistic city tour: $30
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 dayLa Paz $11Lake Titicaca (Puno) $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Paz and Lake Titicaca (Puno), we can see that Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 La Paz Expensive? and Is Lake Titicaca (Puno) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Paz or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
La Paz has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Lake Titicaca (Puno). When comparing the sizes of La Paz 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.