Which place is cheaper, Koh Phi Phi or Arequipa?
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 Arequipa or Koh Phi Phi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Arequipa or Koh Phi Phi? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Arequipa or Koh Phi Phi?
Arequipa
Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.
Koh Phi Phi
The islands of Koh Phi Phi, off the coast of southwestern Thailand, are very popular with travelers because of their unrivaled tropical scenery, clear blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and undersea attractions. However, in the last decade, Koh Phi Phi has seen a huge surge in tourism, adding to the crowds and pollution of the main (and only populated) island, known as Koh Phi Phi Don.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, The Best Cultural Tours in Peru, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.
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Arequipa Prices
Peru PricesKoh Phi Phi Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArequipa $62Koh Phi Phi $92
The average daily cost (per person) in Arequipa is $62, while the average daily cost in Koh Phi Phi is $92. 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 Arequipa and Koh Phi Phi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArequipa $25Koh Phi Phi $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArequipa $50Koh Phi Phi $96
Compare Hotels in Arequipa and Koh Phi Phi
Looking for a hotel in Arequipa or Koh Phi Phi? 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: Arequipa Hotel Prices and Koh Phi Phi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arequipa $6.56Koh Phi Phi $7.68
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$1.48
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Bus Ride$0.47
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Taxi Ride$1.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- Private Transfer between Arequipa and Puno: $300
- Private Transfer From Arequipa to Puno, English Speaking Driver: $280
- Colca Canyon 2-Day Tour with Lodge Stay and Transfer to Puno: $267
- 3 Day Trek Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $214
- 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with optional transfer to Puno: $135
- Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
- Colca Canyon 2 days from Arequipa with final transfer to Puno: $85
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $80
- Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
- Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
- Arequipa Airport Private Transfer: $38
- Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport: $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Phi Phi:
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Ferry to Maya Beach (for 2)$16
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Longboat Taxi$3.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Phi Phi
Also for Koh Phi Phi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Easy Island Transfer from Phi Phi Island to Koh Tao: $70
- Koh Phi Phi to Krabi VIP Speed Boat Transfer: $47
- Koh Phi Phi to Phuket VIP Speed Boat Transfer: $47
- Krabi to Phi Phi Island Scenic Round Trip Ferry Transfer Service: $38
- Phi Phi Island to Phuket Speedboat Transfer: $31
- Phuket Phi phi Maya Bay Khai Island Diving Transfer & Buffet: $88
- Smooth Round Trip Ferry Transfer from Krabi to Phi Phi Island: $37
- Speedboat Transfer Phi Phi Tonsai to Phuket with Dropoff Service: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Arequipa or Koh Phi Phi?
Prices for flights to both Koh Phi Phi and Arequipa 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 dayArequipa $26Koh Phi Phi $22
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
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Coke$0.44
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Lunch$3.10
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Ice Cream$1.18
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Fruit$0.89
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Ice Cream$1.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
- Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
- Cooking Class at La Plantation: $36
- Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $63
- Arequipa : Food Tour and History (3 Restaurants and Market): $69
- Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour: $79
- A 3-hour Guided Food Tour with 4 Iconic Restaurants of Arequipa: $79
- Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
- Food Tour Gastronomic Guided: $119
Typical Food Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Phi Phi:
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Crepe$1.82
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Sit Down Lunch$10
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Casual Lunch$6.38
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Coconut Donut$0.30
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Lunch at Mexican Restaurant (for 2)$12
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Sit Down Dinner$15
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arequipa $20Koh Phi Phi $51
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Monastery Entry$2.96
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Salsa Class$2.96
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Movie Ticket$3.22
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Hot Springs$2.96
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Day - Colca Canyon and Condor Tour from Arequipa, Peru - Group Service: $288
- 2 Day Tour to Colca Canyon: $43
- 2 Days Colca Living Experience Nature Culture and Tradition: $173
- 2 Days of Natural Experience in the Colca Canyon: $150
- 2 days 1 night Colca Canyon tour ending in Puno: $145
- 2 days and 1 night tour in the Colca Canyon: $205
- 2-Day Hiking Tour to the Colca Canyon: $120
- 2-Day Tour to the Magical Colca Canyon: $68
- 3 Hour Congata Rover Biking Ride Tour in Arequipa: $45
- 3-day Colca Canyon Trek Tour Adventure: $90
- 3-hour guided tour in Arequipa: $65
- 8-Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas with Pick-up: $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Phi Phi
For Koh Phi Phi, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental$9.12
Tours and Activities in Koh Phi Phi
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Phi Phi.
- Ferry from Phi Phi Islands to Phuket with Dropoff Service by Royal Jet Cruiser: $15
- Phuket Trick Eye Museum Admission Ticket: $16
- Half-Day Phi Phi Tour with Maya Bay By Longtail Boat From Phi Phi: $17
- Phi Phi Half Day Longtail Boat Tour to Maya Bay and Snorkeling: $19
- Phi Phi Sunset Longtail Boat Cruise to Maya Bay and Snorkeling: $20
- Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Phi Phi Cruiser: $21
- Phi Phi Islands Sunset Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $21
- Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $22
- Phi Phi Island To Phuket By Phi Phi Cruiser: $22
- Phi Phi Island Half Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $25
- Phi Phi 7 Islands Full-Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $31
- Phuket Evening Tour Sunset Viewpoints and Night Market Experience: $37
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayArequipa $17Koh Phi Phi $6.30
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
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Beer$2.66
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Phi Phi from other travelers:
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Mojito Bucket$15
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Banana Daiquiri$6.08
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arequipa and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Koh Phi Phi is more expensive. And not only is Arequipa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Arequipa is in South America and Koh Phi Phi is in Asia, 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 Arequipa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arequipa 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 Koh Phi Phi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Phi Phi than you might in Arequipa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arequipa Expensive? and Is Koh Phi Phi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arequipa or Koh Phi Phi?
Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 840 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Arequipa and Koh Phi Phi, 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.