Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Asuncion?
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 Asuncion or Arequipa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Asuncion or Arequipa, 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: Asuncion or Arequipa?
Asuncion
Asuncion is a vastly underrated city. It is the capital but also the administrative economic and cultural center of Paraguay. It is located in the south central part of the country, near the border with Argentina and it is one of the oldest cities in South America, with people living here since almost 500 years. The city has a beautiful and simple center, with a few unique colonial and beaux arts buildings, international cuisine, shady plazas and friendly people. Its handful of historic buildings around the Plaza de los Heroes, Plaza Uruguaya and Manzana de la Ribera, two or three small museums, old bars and cafes, but also smart suburbs, ritzy shopping malls and fashionable nightclubs will keep you entertained for a day or two. It is a very charming city for travellers and apart from the sights, the city boasts a good tourist infrastructure with hotels and restaurants.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
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Asuncion Prices
Paraguay PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAsuncion $98Arequipa $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Asuncion is $98, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $62. 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 Asuncion and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAsuncion $27Arequipa $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAsuncion $54Arequipa $50
Compare Hotels in Asuncion and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Asuncion or Arequipa? 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: Asuncion Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Asuncion $11Arequipa $6.61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Asuncion
Also for Asuncion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Asuncion Airport (ASU): $26
- Private Transfer to Asuncion Airport (ASU): $26
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Asuncion Airport (ASU): $50
- Silvio Pettirossi Airport to Asuncion Transfers: $50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$1.49
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Bus Ride$0.48
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Taxi Ride$1.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- transfer Airport - Hotel: $21
- Transfer Between Arequipa's Airport and Hotels: $35
- Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport: $38
- Private Transfer from Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport to Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer between Arequipa and Puno: $300
- Private Transfer From Arequipa To Puno With a 2 Hour Stop: $262
- Koh lanta any hotel to Phuket airport Private transfer: $168
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $79
- Colca Canyon 2 days from Arequipa with final transfer to Puno: $85
- Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
- Arequipa Airport Private Transfer: $38
- Arequipa Airport Departure Transfer: $22
Is it cheaper to fly into Asuncion or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Asuncion 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 dayAsuncion $36Arequipa $26
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$0.45
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Lunch$3.13
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Ice Cream$1.19
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Fruit$0.89
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Ice Cream$1.04
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
- Arequipa Nights Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $63
- Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour: $79
- Arequipa : Food Tour and History (3 Restaurants and Market): $80
- Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Asuncion $20Arequipa $20
Tours and Activities in Asuncion
For Asuncion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tour of Asunción History and Culture in the Center: $20
- Asuncion Highlights Walking Tour with a Guide: $30
- Asuncion Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $30
- Asunción Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Walking Tour with a Local in Asuncion "The Mother of Cities": $35
- Asuncion : Custom Walking Tour with A Guide (Private Tour): $37
- VIP Transportation and Custom Tours in Paraguay: $50
- Asuncion Birding Tour: $100
- Birding and Nature Chaco Tour: $160
- Cultural City 3 Hour Tour in Asuncion by Bus: $180
- Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour from Asunción: $180
- Full day Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour: $230
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$2.98
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Salsa Class$2.98
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Movie Ticket$3.25
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Hot Springs$2.98
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Day Tour to Colca Canyon: $43
- 2 Days Climbing Volcano Chachani Tour, Conquer Your First 6,070m: $200
- 2 Days Colca Living Experience Nature Culture and Tradition: $173
- 2 days 1 night Colca Canyon tour ending in Puno: $145
- 2-Day Group Tour to Colca Canyon from Arequipa: $230
- 2-Day Hiking Tour to the Colca Canyon: $120
- 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
- Añashuayco Quarries and Sillar Route Tour from Arequipa: $25
- Afternoon : Arequipa Walking tour: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAsuncion $13Arequipa $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Asuncion
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Asuncion are as follows:
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Beer$1.49
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$2.68
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asuncion and Arequipa, we can see that Asuncion is more expensive. And not only is Arequipa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Asuncion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Asuncion 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 Asuncion Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Asuncion or Arequipa?
Asuncion has a larger population, and is about 76% larger than the population of Arequipa. When comparing the sizes of Asuncion and Arequipa, 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.