Which place is cheaper, Flores or Arusha?
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 Arusha or Flores?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Arusha and Flores 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: Arusha or Flores?
Arusha
Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.
Flores
The town of Flores is located in Peten, Guatemala. The main hub is located on an island on Lago Peten Itza, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. On the other side of the causeway are the towns of Santa Elena and San Benito, however, all three are often referred to as Flores. Most people visit the area for its proximity to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal, though the town itself is also charming with colonial buildings and historic churches lining the cobbled streets.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Tours for Seniors to Guatemala, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Guatemala.
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Arusha Prices
Tanzania PricesFlores Prices
Guatemala Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $189Flores $43
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $189, while the average daily cost in Flores is $43. 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 Arusha and Flores in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $126Flores $8.78
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $252Flores $18
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Flores
Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Flores? 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: Arusha Hotel Prices and Flores Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $13Flores $8.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Arusha to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $46
- Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $149
- Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
- Arusha Airport and Hotel Transfer: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Flores
Also for Flores, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer : Mayan World Airport to Flores Island Hotels: $10
- Tikal Transfer and Tour Guide From Flores: $90
- Same day Round-Trip VIP Exclusive Transfer to Tikal from Flores: $160
- From Flores, Peten: One way shared transfer to Tikal: $39
- Transfer from Flores to Semuc Champey, Lanquin, Tourists Only: $40
- Tikal National Park Guided Tour with Transfers: $24
- One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey, Lanquin: $49
- Belize/Caye Caulke/San Pedro Van or Ferry Transfer: $20
- Flores, Peten: One way shared transfer to Rio Dulce, Izabal: $39
- Bus transfer from Flores, Guatemala to Belize City: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Flores?
Prices for flights to both Flores and Arusha 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 dayArusha $40Flores $23
Typical Food Prices in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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A Quick Lunch (for 2)$2.09
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Tanzania Cooking Class & Food Market Tour: $43
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
- Local Tanzanian Food Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $75
- Homestay + Cooking + Animal Care + Fruit Harvesting + Much More: $187
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $44Flores $20
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4 Hours Cycling Tour in Shimo La Mungu Crater: $50
- Arusha African Shopping Tour: $100
- Arusha City Culture and Historical Walking Tour: $40
- Arusha City Tour with Local Culture and Food Markets: $25
- Arusha City Walking Tour: Markets, Culture & Hotel Pickup: $15
- Arusha City town tour: $101
- Arusha Guided City Tour &Hotel Pickup (History, Culture &Market: $21
- Arusha Mountain Village and Coffee Tour: $24
- Arusha Nightlife Tour: $60
- Arusha Private City Tour: $75
- Arusha Serval Wildlife Sanctuary Tour with Pickup: $295
- Arusha Town Day Tour (Geneva of Africa ): $71
Typical Entertainment Prices in Flores
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Flores's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Tikal Entrance (for 2)$39
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Map of Tikal$3.28
Tours and Activities in Flores
For Flores, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Day Tour to Tikal and Yaxhá from Flores Island: $220
- 4 Hours Private Tour to see the sunset at El Rey Canek Viewpoint: $100
- All Inclusive Tikal Tour from Flores and Airport: $105
- All Inclusive Tikal Tour from Flores or Mayan World Airport: $78
- Basic Tour to Tikal Includes Transportation and Guide Service: $25
- Classic Private Tour of Tikal from Flores Guatemala: $180
- Classic Tour to Tikal from Flores Mayan Temples and Tropical Jungle: $110
- 1-Day Tikal Tour Private Service From your Hotel: $185
- Blue Crater, Imox Lagoon & Hidden Pools Tour: $75
- Tikal National Park Tour with Mayan Energy Reading: $222
- Yaxha Shared Sunset Tour with Transportation & Guide: $25
- From Flores Guided Tour to Tikal with transportation + lunch: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $11Flores $21
Typical Alcohol Prices in Flores
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Flores are as follows:
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Two Margaritas$2.62
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Flores, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Flores much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Arusha is in Africa and Flores is in Central America, 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 Flores would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Flores 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 Arusha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arusha than you might in Flores.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Flores Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arusha or Flores?
Arusha has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Flores. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Flores, 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.