A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Pedro de Atacama vs. Sucre for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit San Pedro de Atacama or Sucre?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for San Pedro de Atacama and Sucre. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: San Pedro de Atacama or Sucre?

San Pedro de Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama is a gateway to northern Chile. It is a good jumping off point for exploring the area's impressive landscape, most of which is included in the Los Flamencos National Reserve. It is popular with both Chilean and international tourists, and because of its popularity, it is a relatively expensive destination, with many prices comparable to what you might pay in Santiago.

Sucre

Sucre is famous for its gorgeous town center and delightful climate, making it for many Bolivia's most beautiful city. Also considered the symbolic heart of the nation, 'La ciudad blanca' or the white city has preserved stunning whitewashed buildings sheltering pretty patios and other beauties of colonial architecture. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991 and is under strict controls on development. It offers many attractions including historic buildings and a renowned theatre, but you can also wander around prehistoric sites and discover indigenous culture in the surrounding towns and countryside.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Chile, The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile, The Best 3-Day Tours from La Paz, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bolivia.


Which place is cheaper, Sucre or San Pedro de Atacama?

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

  • San Pedro de Atacama Prices
    Chile Prices
    Sucre Prices
    Bolivia Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    San Pedro de Atacama $69
    Sucre $57

The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro de Atacama is $69, while the average daily cost in Sucre is $57. 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 San Pedro de Atacama and Sucre in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Pedro de Atacama $32
    Sucre $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Pedro de Atacama $64
    Sucre $22
Compare Hotels in San Pedro de Atacama and Sucre

Looking for a hotel in San Pedro de Atacama or Sucre? 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 San Pedro de Atacama


Hotels in Sucre


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: San Pedro de Atacama Hotel Prices and Sucre Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Pedro de Atacama $9.14
    Sucre $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro de Atacama

Also for San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 3 Perfect Days in Atacama + Airport Transfer: $224
  • Private transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama City: $190
  • Puritama Hot Springs Experience with Transfer and Entrance: $90
  • Atacama Airport Private Transfer: $88
  • Calama Airport Transfer to Atacama / Airport Lodging: $60
  • Astronomical Tour in San Pedro de Atacama includes transfer, photo, and cocktail.: $53
  • Puritama Hot Springs Transfer Tour: $45
  • Stargazing Experience with Transfer: $44
  • TRANSFER TO PURITAMA HOT SPRINGS: $40
  • Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer: $40
  • Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer: $40
  • Atacama Airport Shuttle Transfer: $38

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sucre

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sucre are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sucre

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

  • Private transfer Sucre - Uyuni, stopover in Potosí Mines: $250
  • Private MiniVan or Bus Transfer from Sucre Airport SRE to Sucre: $28
  • Departure Transfer from Sucre to Sucre Airport by MiniVan or Bus: $27

Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro de Atacama or Sucre?

Prices for flights to both Sucre and San Pedro de Atacama 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
    San Pedro de Atacama $25
    Sucre $32
Typical Food Prices in San Pedro de Atacama

For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Empanadas
    $1.26
  • Lunch
    $10
  • Dinner
    $11
  • Drink
    $0.94
  • Empanada
    $5.24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro de Atacama

For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Local haute cuisine tasting menu dinner: $135
  • Private Dinner Under the Stars: $300

Typical Food Prices in Sucre

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Sucre:


  • Dinner
    $4.48
  • Juice
    $0.87
  • Juice
    $1.01
  • Chocolate
    $1.73
  • Cappuccino
    $4.34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sucre

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

  • Traditional Bolivian Cooking Class w/ Cocktail Making by La Boca del Sapo, Sucre: $45
  • Ancestral Cooking Classes: $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Pedro de Atacama $21
    Sucre $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Pedro de Atacama

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro de Atacama's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Sand Boarding
    $56

Tours and Activities in San Pedro de Atacama

For San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Moon Valley Tour, the Best Seller: $49
  • The 3 Best Selling Tours in Atacama: $190
  • 1-Day Tour Altiplanic Lagoons and Piedras Rojas and Laguna Chaxa: $120
  • 2 Tours Valley of the Moon and Hidden Lagoons: $120
  • 23km downhill bike tour + trekking among giant cacti: $70
  • 3 Days and 4 Tours in San Pedro de Atacama: $190
  • 3 Main Tours in San Pedo de Atacama: $190
  • 3 or 4 days in San Pedro with Semi-Private tours: $300
  • 3-Day Tour in San Pedro de Atacama: $205
  • 4 TOUR IN ATACAMA IN 3 DAYS: $230
  • 4 Tour in 2 Days, in San Pedro de Atacama: $200
  • 4 Tours in 3 Days in San Pedro de Atacama: $198

Tours and Activities in Sucre

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

  • 2-Day Icla Canyon Tour from Sucre: $87
  • 4-Day Guided Adventure Trip from Tupiza to Salar de Uyuni: $267
  • Behind: Textiles and History Walking Tour: $20
  • Historical and Cultural Walking Tour in Sucre with Guide: $9.99
  • JATUN YAMPARA - Agro-artisan Indigenous Nucleus -Full Day Tours + Lunch: $85
  • JATUN YAMPARA - Nucleo Indigena, Agroartesanal - Half Day Tours: $66
  • Private Cultural Tour in Sucre with Visit to 3 Museums: $45
  • Private Half Day Tour: Sucre Walking Tour with Hotel Pick up: $67
  • Sucre - Walking City Tour - Half Day - English Speaking guide: $64
  • Sucre City Tour With Visit to Cretaceous Park: $123
  • Sucre | City tour and museums | Private: $105
  • City Highlights Walking Tour: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Pedro de Atacama $4.93
    Sucre $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in San Pedro de Atacama

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in San Pedro de Atacama:


  • Alcohol
    $25


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Pedro de Atacama Expensive? and Is Sucre Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, San Pedro de Atacama or Sucre?

Sucre has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of San Pedro de Atacama. When comparing the sizes of San Pedro de Atacama and Sucre, 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.