Which place is cheaper, Paracas or Banos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Banos or Paracas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Banos and Paracas. 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.
Where Should I go: Banos or Paracas?
Banos
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.
Paracas
Paracas, also known as El Chaco, is a resort town on the Southern coast of the country, about 150 miles south of Lima. The town in located in one of the oldest regions of Peru, with a history dating back to 900 BC and offers many pre-Inca cultural sites throughout the area. Paracas is possibly best known for being home to the Paracas National Reserve, a nature reserve boasting one of the most abundant and diverse ecosystems in the world.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBanos $46Paracas $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Banos is $46, while the average daily cost in Paracas is $63. 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 Paracas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBanos $16Paracas $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBanos $32Paracas $44
Compare Hotels in Banos and Paracas
Looking for a hotel in Banos or Paracas? 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: Banos Hotel Prices and Paracas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Banos $10Paracas $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:
- Direct Private Transfer From Paracas to Lima, English Speaking Driver: $163
- Lima: Private taxi transfer from Lima airport to Paracas: $129
- Oneway Transfer from San Juan Airport, Hotel, Airbnb to Bayamon: $60
- Paracas Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
- Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
- Private Transfer From Paracas To Lima With 2 Stops: $175
- Private Transfer From San Juan Airport (SJU) to /from San Juan: $44
- Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels: $78
- Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $87
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $78
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $87
- Private Transfer from Pisko Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Banos or Paracas?
Prices for flights to both Paracas 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBanos $15Paracas $23
Typical Food Prices in Banos
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Banos:
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Dinner$13
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Ice cream$1.50
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Coffee$2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paracas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Paracas.
- From Lima Ballestas Islands, Ica and cooking class Ceviche: $139
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Banos $19Paracas $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Banos
Here are a few typical costs in Banos for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Two Rented Bikes for the Day$10
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Cost to see Waterfall$2.00
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Day at the Spa$45
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2 Bike Rentals (1 Day)$10
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Entrance to Waterfall$2.00
Tours and Activities in Banos
Here are a few actual costs in Banos for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Adventure Circuit 4 activities in 1. All within an impressive cascade: $25
- Canopy Ziplining in Puntzan Adventure Park: $26
- Private Canyoning Experience in Baños de Agua Santa Ecuador: $26
- 2 Hours Small-Group Horseback Riding Experience in Banos: $30
- Canyoning Adventure Tour in the Ravine: $30
- Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience in Chamana: $30
- Full Day Jungle Tour: $32
- Full Day Guided Tour in the Ecuadorian Amazon: $35
- Pailón del Diablo | Waterfall Route | Tour for 3 hours: $35
- Puyo Jungle Tour in 1 Day: $35
- Adventure and Fun River Rafting in Baños Ecuador: $35
- Small-Group Canyoning Experience in Baños de Agua Santa: $39
Tours and Activities in Paracas
Here are a few actual costs in Paracas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- From Ballestas Islands Guided Boat Tour: $20
- 4-Hour Guided Tour Paracas National Reserve: $20
- Ballestas Islands Morning Boat Tour: $20
- Boat Tour of the Ballestas Islands in Paracas: $20
- Ballestas Islands Sightseeing Boat Ride from Paracas: $24
- Ballestas Islands Tour: $24
- Islas Ballestas Boat Tour - The Galapagos of Peru: $25
- Ballestas Islands Tour - Paracas: $25
- From Scenic Boat Tour to Ballestas Island: $25
- Ballestas Islands Group Tour from Paracas : $26
- From Ballestas Islands Guided Tour: $26
- Ica: Ballestas Island Adventure | Watch Sea Lions: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBanos $9.74Paracas $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Banos
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Banos from other travelers:
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Beer$4.00
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Banos and Paracas, we can see that Paracas 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 Paracas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paracas 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 Paracas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Banos or Paracas?
Banos has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of Banos and Paracas, 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.