A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salto vs. Tilcara for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Salto or Tilcara?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salto or Tilcara, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Salto or Tilcara?

Salto

Salto is in the citrus growing region of Northern Interior Uruguay, on the east bank of the Rio Uruguay. It is closely connected to the neighboring Argentinian city of Concordia that lies across the river on the western bank. Salto is Uruguay's second-largest city and the most northerly crossing point to Argentina. Salto is a very picturesque city that has a relaxing feel the entire year. However, people mostly come here for the nearby hot springs and the recreation area above the enormous Salto Grande hydroelectric dam.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, and The Best Camping Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Tilcara or Salto?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Salto is $86, while the average daily cost in Tilcara is $78. 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 Salto and Tilcara in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salto $29
    Tilcara $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salto $58
    Tilcara $126
Compare Hotels in Salto and Tilcara

Looking for a hotel in Salto or Tilcara? 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 Salto


Hotels in Tilcara


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: Salto Hotel Prices and Tilcara Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salto $21
    Tilcara $3.09

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Salto or Tilcara?

Prices for flights to both Tilcara and Salto 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
    Salto $41
    Tilcara $7.41

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salto $17
    Tilcara $22

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salto $13
    Tilcara $4.87


When comparing the travel costs between Salto and Tilcara, we can see that Salto 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 Salto Expensive? and Is Tilcara Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Salto or Tilcara?

Salto has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Tilcara. When comparing the sizes of Salto and Tilcara, 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.