Which place is cheaper, Lima or Banos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Banos and Lima. 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.
Banos (de Agua Santa) is a small city in the Andean highlands of Ecuador under volcano Tungurahua. Its name, which is Spanish for "Baths (of sacred water)," comes from the famous hydrothermal springs in the area. It's equally popular with foreigners as with Ecuadorians, and is known as the adventure capital of Ecuador. The streets are lined with hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, and tour agencies. Although it is very touristy, lots of people love it, more for the activities and surroundings than for the city itself. It is an important hub for outdoor sports and jungle tours.
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Banos is $46, while the average daily cost in Lima is $77. 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 Banos and Lima in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Banos or Lima? 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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
Prices for flights to both Lima and Banos 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Banos:
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
Here are a few typical costs in Banos for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Banos for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Banos from other travelers:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Banos and Lima, we can see that Lima is more expensive. And not only is Banos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Banos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Banos 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 Lima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lima than you might in Banos.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Banos Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Lima has a larger population, and is about 810 times larger than the population of Banos. When comparing the sizes of Banos and Lima, 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.