Should I Visit Bali or Cusco for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Bali or Cusco?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Cusco can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Bali or Cusco?

Bali

Known as the "Island of the Gods," it's not difficult to see why the Gods would want to set up shop in Bali. With a beautifully diverse landscape of hills, mountains, coastlines, beaches, vibrant rice fields and volcanic hillsides, you'll easily go into sensory overload.

Bali is home to 4 million people who all hold true to a deeply spiritual and unique culture. With champion surfing, world class resorts and challenging hiking trails, this Indonesian island accommodates travelers from every walk of life. It's often called, "paradise on earth, " and no one disagrees.

Cusco

Cusco is most famous as the historic capital of the Inca Empire. It is in the southern Sierras and is one of the most popular travel destinations within Peru. The city is located at 3,400 meters above sea level so it is best to acclimate yourself slowly to avoid altitude sickness.

Cusco is the starting point for many travelers making their way to the famed Machu Picchu or other Inca sites in the surrounding area.

The city is very beautiful and has impressive architecture throughout. The history is obvious as you walk around town and there are impressive ruins nearby, with the most impressive being Sacsayhuaman. The city also has a significant indigenous population that is obvious from their traditional clothing and style.

Cusco has a subtropical highland climate with a pleasant daytime temperature year around. There are two distinct seasons with the dry season being between May and August and the wet season between December and March. During the dry season there is plenty of sun with occasional nighttime freezes. Frost is less common in the wet season.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.

Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Bali?

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

Bali Prices
Indonesia Prices

Cusco Prices
Peru Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Bali $87

Cusco $59

The average daily cost (per person) in Bali is $87, while the average daily cost in Cusco is $59. 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 Bali and Cusco in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Bali $41

Cusco $22
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Bali $82

Cusco $44

Compare Hotels in Bali and Cusco

Looking for a hotel in Bali or Cusco? 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: Bali Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Bali $8.89

Cusco $9.81

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bali:

Motorbike Rental

$3.05

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:

Nusa Dua Departure transfer to Bali Airport International (DPS): $13
Sanur Bali to/from Lembongan: Speedboat Transfer: $15
Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport Jimbaran and Uluwatu: $16
Private Arrival Transfer: Bali Airport to Jimbaran and Uluwatu Hotel: $16
Ngurah Rai Bali Airport Private Transfer: $17
Private Transfer Ubud-Seminyak-Kuta-Uluwatu-Jimbaran: $19
Bali Tours 4U Airport and Seaport transfers. 24 hours a day.: $21
Bali : Safari & Marine Park Round-Trip Transfer Only: $22
Bali DPS Airport Private Transfer from-to Nusa Dua: $23
Private Transfer Between Ubud and Canggu: $23
Denpasar Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $25
Denpasar Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $25

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cusco:

Taxi Ride

$1.06

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:

One-way transfer from hotel to airport: $7.90
Private 1-Way Transfer to Velasco Astete Airport: $9.00
One-Way Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $9.00
Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $9.67
Private Shuttle Transfer from Cusco Airport (CUZ) to Hotels in Cusco: $10
Private transfers from Cuzco Airport to Hotels and Sacred Valley: $10
Cusco Private Transfer/ Airport Transfer: $10
Transfer Cusco Airport to your Hotel in Cusco: $10
Peru Cusco Airport (CUZ) Private Transfer to Cusco City: $10
transfer to the airport: $11
One-way transfer from the airport to the hotel: $12
Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in the City of Cusco: $12

Is it cheaper to fly into Bali or Cusco?

Prices for flights to both Cusco and Bali 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

Bali $35

Cusco $22

Typical Food Prices in Bali

Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:

Coffee

$1.22
Lunch for Two

$13
Bali Cafe for Two

$26
Lunch for Two

$7.94
Lunch for 2

$8.80
Dinner for 2

$9.65

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bali.

Private Tour Rafting Uluwatu Kecak Dance Sunset and Dinner in Jimbaran Bay: $27
The Balinesia Lu'au - 'A Kampung Bali Experience & Dinner Show': $28
Romantic Seafood Dinner under sunset jimbaran Beach: $30
Private Tour Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Dance and Dinner at Jimbaran: $31
Pirate Dinner Cruise with Shows, Games, and Music: $33
Amazing Private Tour-Uluwatu Kecak Dance and Romantic Seafood Dinner: $33
Ubud: Balinese Cooking Class at an Organic Farm: $33
From Ubud: Authentic Cooking Class in a Local Village: $35
Seminyak: Balinese Cooking Class & Market Tour: $45
Padang-Padang Beach+ Uluwatu Sunset and Kecak Dance + Dinner: $49
Private Balinese Cooking Class in a Family Home: $54
Bali Famous Beach, Kecak Dance, Uluwatu Temple, Sunset, Dinner: $55

Typical Food Prices in Cusco

Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:

Sandwich

$2.12
Mango

$0.53

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.

Small-Group Virtual Ceviche Cooking Experience: $25
Folkloric Andean Show & 3-Course Dinner at Tunupa: $37
Pachapapa Restaurant Lunch or Dinner: $41
Cusco Tunupa Restaurant Folk Show with Dinner : $49
Andean Bread Baby Cooking Class with Hotel Pickup: $49
3-Hour Peruvian Cooking Class: $49
Andean Folk Show with Dinner at Tunupa Plaza de Armas: $50
CUSCO COOKING CLASS DINNER - Short & Immersive 4:30pm: $50
Pete's Peruvian Cooking Class: $52
Cusco Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo in Cusco: $54
Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market in Cusco: $55
Market Tour & Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class in Cusco: $55

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Bali $11

Cusco $29

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bali are as follows:

Spa for Two

$53
Snorkelling Trip

$12
Cooking School

$27

Tours and Activities in Bali

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bali are as follows:

Bali Ultimate Water Sports Experience: $7.25
Bali Water Sports Adventure: $7.89
Bali Bird Park: 1-Day Admission Ticket: $8.89
Private Tour to New Indonesia Urban Destination: $13
Kecak and Fire Dance Ticket at Uluwatu Temple: $14
Uluwatu Temple Tour with Optional Kecak Dance Ticket: $16
Uluwatu Kecak Tickets A Spectacular Show: $18
Tanah Lot Temple Guided Tour: $18
Best of Ubud Full Day Private Guided Tour: $18
Gunung Kawi Rice Terrace Swing And Waterfall Private Guided Tour : $20
Bali Sea Walker Experience at Nusa Dua Beach: $21
Jetski Bali Watersport Experience: $21

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:

Salsa Class

$2.65

Tours and Activities in Cusco

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:

Free Walking tour in Cusco : $5.00
cultural walking tour with drinks: $10
City Tour - Cusco: $10
CITY TOUR CUSCO - HALF DAY TOUR: $10
extreme adventure in cusco warachicuy adventure park: $11
Cusco City Half-Day Tour: $12
Peruvian Andes Tour in Cusco: $12
Open Bus Tour of the City’s Wonder’s: $12
open-top bus city tour: $12
Mirabus Cusco City Tour: $12
Sightseeing Tour of the City on an Open-Top Bus: $12
Open-Top Bus City Tour: $12

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Bali $3.15

Cusco $9.31

Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco

Also in Cusco, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks: $17
Exclusive Pub Crawl with more than 10 Benefits: $25
Pisco and wine tour in the Majes Valley: $50

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bali Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bali or Cusco?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Cusco, 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.

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Cusco for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bali or Cusco?

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

Where Should I go: Bali or Cusco?

Bali

Cusco

Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Bali?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Bali and Cusco

Local Transportation

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco

Is it cheaper to fly into Bali or Cusco?

Food

Typical Food Prices in Bali

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali

Typical Food Prices in Cusco

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco

Entertainment

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali

Tours and Activities in Bali

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco

Tours and Activities in Cusco

Alcohol

Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco

Which is Bigger, Bali or Cusco?

Related Articles for Bali

Related Articles for Cusco

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Cusco for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bali or Cusco?

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

Where Should I go: Bali or Cusco?

Bali

Cusco

Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Bali?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Bali and Cusco

Local Transportation

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco

Is it cheaper to fly into Bali or Cusco?

Food

Typical Food Prices in Bali

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali

Typical Food Prices in Cusco

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco

Entertainment

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali

Tours and Activities in Bali

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco

Tours and Activities in Cusco

Alcohol

Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco

Which is Bigger, Bali or Cusco?

Related Articles for Bali

Related Articles for Cusco

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