Which place is cheaper, Copacabana or Salta?
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 Salta or Copacabana?
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 Salta and Copacabana can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Salta or Copacabana?
Salta
Located in the heart of the famous Northwest region of Argentina, at 1200m of elevation and at the foot of the Cerro San Bernardo, Salta is the largest city of the region and perhaps the most beautiful colonial city of Argentina. Founded in 1582 by the Spanish, Salta was an important stop for merchants who followed the usual trade road through Bolivia and Peru. Argentines call this city nestled in the foothills of the Andes and surrounded by mountains, of just over half a million inhabitants, Salta La Linda (Salta the Beautiful) and it's easy to see why. Young and traditional at the same time, Salta and its renowned museums, plaza side cafes and live musica folklorica of its bustling penas, is a sophisticated and lively city day and night.
Copacabana
Copacabana, Bolivia, is a small, bright and enchanting town located on the Bolivian shore of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. Situated relatively close to the capital of La Paz, it is a popular resort mostly destination for foreign travellers, meaning that you may feel like there are more Argentinians and Americans than locals. Copacabana is the perfect jump-off point for visiting Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna and makes a pleasant stopover between La Paz and Puno or Cusco. Featuring beautiful nature walks, ancient sites, stunning sunsets and quaint little restaurants, Copacabana is a travelers' favorite destination to soak in the panoramic views, savor freshly caught trucha, and explore what the Incas believed to be the birthplace of their empire.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Bolivia.
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Salta Prices
Argentina PricesCopacabana Prices
Bolivia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalta $45Copacabana $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Salta is $45, while the average daily cost in Copacabana is $54. 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 Salta and Copacabana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalta $31Copacabana $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalta $62Copacabana $22
Compare Hotels in Salta and Copacabana
Looking for a hotel in Salta or Copacabana? 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: Salta Hotel Prices and Copacabana Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salta $3.13Copacabana $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salta
Also for Salta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Combo: Cafayate, Cachi and Humahuaca, transfers and walking tour: $177
- Combo: Cafayate Tour + Cachi + Transfers + Free Walking Tour: $117
- From Cafayate and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $88
- From Salinas and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $99
- Humahuaca, 7-color Hill & round trip transfers airport - hotel in Salta: $167
- Salta Airport One-Way or Round-Trip Transfers: $45
- Salta Airport Shuttle Transfer: $15
- Salta City Tour & Round Trip Transfers airport - hotel: $109
- Cafayate Wine Tour with Tastings and Transfers: $150
- One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $5.50
- Private 1-Way or Round Trip SLA Airport Transfer: $56
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip SLA Airport Transfer: $8.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Salta or Copacabana?
Prices for flights to both Copacabana and Salta 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 daySalta $5.41Copacabana $30
Typical Food Prices in Copacabana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Copacabana:
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Lunch$3.61
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Sandwich$1.16
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salta $27Copacabana $19
Tours and Activities in Salta
For Salta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4-Hour Guided Highlights City Tour: $16
- Salta Private Tour with a Photojournalist : $18
- Salta City Half Day Tour: $20
- From City Tour of the city on a half-day ride: $20
- Guided City Tour: $26
- From Full-Day Scenic Tour to Cachi: $30
- From Cachi and Los Cardones National Park Tour: $30
- From Full-day tour to Cachi and Los Cardones National Park: $31
- From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate, Land of Wines: $31
- Tour to Cafayate from Salta : $31
- Half-Day City Tour: Salta and San Lorenzo: $32
- Full-Day Tour Cafayate Calchaqui Valleys with Wine: $32
Tours and Activities in Copacabana
Here are a few actual costs in Copacabana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- CONDORIRI Mountain 5650m. 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT. TREKKING. English guide. Shared Tour: $198
- From La Paz: Cable car ride tour with tasting food.: $49
- Titicaca Touristic Bus from Copacabana to La Paz_Everyday_1:00 p.m.: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalta $5.50Copacabana $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Salta
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Salta:
- Cafayate: Full-day tour of wineries and wine tasting: $29
- Full-day Cafayate, Lerma Valley, and Wine Tasting from Salta: $30
- From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate with Wine Tasting: $30
- From Cafayate Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $40
- Half Day Wine Tasting in Salta: $147
Typical Alcohol Prices in Copacabana
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Copacabana from other travelers:
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Wine$2.89
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salta and Copacabana, we can see that Copacabana is more expensive. And not only is Salta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salta 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 Copacabana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Copacabana than you might in Salta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salta Expensive? and Is Copacabana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salta or Copacabana?
Salta has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Copacabana. When comparing the sizes of Salta and Copacabana, 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.