Which place is cheaper, Lima or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
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 Buenos Aires, Argentina or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Lima 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: Buenos Aires, Argentina or Lima?
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, federal capital of Argentina, also known as "The City of Tango", is best known for its energetic and unpredictable character. Like a restless child, Buenos Aires is a dynamic and modern city full of surprises. While its French-style palaces, rooftop restaurants, wide avenues and green plazas resemble European-style architecture, Buenos Aires preserves its musical, literary and culinary traditions. You can't miss dining in front of a Tango show, walking around the colourful streets of La Boca and visiting the renowned Recoleta Cemetery, designed by Argentina's most important architects and home to hundreds of illustrious corpses.
Lima
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina Prices
Argentina PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $59Lima $97
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $59, while the average daily cost in Lima is $97. 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuenos Aires, Argentina $42Lima $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $84Lima $106
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Buenos Aires, Argentina Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.20Lima $6.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- Private Transfer to Buenos Aires Airport (AEP): $19
- Private Transfer from Buenos Aires Airport (AEP): $19
- Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City: $20
- Private Aeroparque (AEP) Airport Transfer TO Buenos Aires City: $23
- Tango Show in Catullo Without Transfer: $28
- Private Transfer to Buenos Aires Airport (EZE): $29
- Jorge Newbery Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
- Buenos Aires Local Airport One - way Private Transfer from 30 USD: $30
- Local Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
- Buenos Aires Center One-way Private Transfer to Local Airport: $30
- Private Transfer from Buenos Aires Cruise Port to Ezeiza: $35
- Private Ezeiza (EZE) Airport Transfer to Buenos Aires City: $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.88
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Taxi Ride$5.88
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Short Taxi Ride$4.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Airport Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport LIM to Lima by Sedan: $52
- Deluxe Car Lima Transfer - Private Service: $29
- Guided Assistance -Hassle-free service -Airport -Hotel transfers: $30
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $42
- LIMA CAR TRANSFER - Private Service: $29
- Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer: $160
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $47
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores city - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Lima Airport Arrival Transfer: $23
- Lima Airport Luxury Arrival or Departure Transfer: $163
- Lima Airport One Way Private Transfer LIM to Lima City Center: $12
Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $7.95Lima $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show with Optional Transfer and Dinner: $28
- Piazzolla Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $35
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
- BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $39
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $40
- Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $43
- BA: Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Palermo: $43
- BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Tasting in Palermo: $43
- Early Tango Dinner Show with Optional Traditional Bus Transfer: $46
- El Aljibe Tango Show in Buenos Aires with Optional Dinner: $47
- BA: Small Group Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Tasting in Palermo: $49
- Chacarita Walking Tour - Spooky Cemetery, History & Pizza: $49
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.71
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Ice cream$3.82
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Coffee$3.24
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Donut$1.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Food tours on the forbidden side of Lima (Min. 3 Guests – Max. 6): $15
- Dinner at Café del Museo Larco restaurant: $30
- Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
- Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken: $45
- Dinner at Mangos Larcomar Restaurant: $48
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $50
- Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $59
- Dinner at the Cala Restaurant in Lima: $63
- Lima Market Food Tour: $65
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $67
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $32Lima $9.39
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $6.72
- Buenos Aires Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h30 and 18 reviews: $7.20
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $11
- Recoleta Cemetery Buenos Aires Tour with Audioguide (no ticket): $12
- Palermo Graffiti Tour: $13
- 2 hrs. Walking Tour in San Telmo & Market: $13
- Guided tour of the Mate Museum: $13
- Graffiti Tour: $14
- Small Group Tour of Buenos Aires Historic: $15
- Recoleta Cemetery Tour in English: $16
- Buenos Aires Shopping Tour: $19
- La Boca walking tour Tango neighborhood Football and Art: $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$18
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Movie Tickets$2.50
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Miraflores Guided Walking Tour and Surquillo Market Experience: $5.00
- Adventure at the Airport of Peru: $10
- Lima Cathedral Museum Entrance Ticket: $10
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Jogging Activity through Tourist Places facing the Sea in Lima: $15
- Walking Tour in the Historical Centre and China Town: $18
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
- Private Bike Tour in Lima: $19
- Tour in Lima with Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco: $20
- Tour around Lima City: $20
- A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $9.69Lima $6.10
Sample the Local Flavors in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also in Buenos Aires, Argentina, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Buenos Aires Full City Tour with Wine Tasting and Stops: $35
- Exclusive Malbec Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $42
- BA: Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending in Palermo: $54
- Wine tasting in OASIS Palermo: $55
- Wine Tasting at Encuentro Nativo a Historic Tenement in Caminito: $60
- Tango Lesson and Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires, Argentina: $65
- Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $65
- BA: Wine tour with 5 tasting stops in the heart of Palermo: $78
- Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $85
- Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $94
- Private Malbec Wine Tasting Experience in Buenos Aires: $95
- Private argentinian wine tasting in downtown: $97
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.91
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Beer$4.41
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Cocktail$3.53
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
- Discover Barranco's Nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
- Bar Crawl Night Tour in Miraflores: $38
- Lima Nightlife Tour & Society – Cultural Pub Crawl: $50
- Local Wine Tour: $77
- From Lima Paracas and Huacachina Oasis Dunes and Wine Tour: $89
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Lima, we can see that Lima is more expensive. And not only is Buenos Aires, Argentina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Buenos Aires, Argentina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Buenos Aires, Argentina Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Lima?
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 69% larger than the population of Lima. When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina 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.
When is the best time to visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Lima?
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Lima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Buenos Aires, Argentina and Lima. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Buenos Aires, Argentina is generally a little warmer than Limain July. Daily temperatures in Buenos Aires, Argentina average around 25°C (77°F), and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Buenos Aires, Argentina usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.
Buenos Aires, Argentina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Buenos Aires, Argentina usually receives more rain than Limain July. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyBuenos Aires, Argentina 25°C (77°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Lima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Buenos Aires, Argentina as well as Lima. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Buenos Aires, Argentina is around the same temperature as Lima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Buenos Aires, Argentina averages around 18°C (65°F) in April, and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Buenos Aires, Argentina this time of the year. In the autumn, Buenos Aires, Argentina often gets more sunshine than Limain October. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.
Buenos Aires, Argentina receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Buenos Aires, Argentina usually gets more rain in April than Limain October. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberBuenos Aires, Argentina 18°C (65°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Lima in the Winter?
Both Lima and Buenos Aires, Argentina are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Buenos Aires, Argentina is much colder than Lima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Buenos Aires, Argentina in July average around 12°C (53°F), and Lima averages at about 23°C (73°F)in January.
Buenos Aires, Argentina usually receives less sunshine than Lima during winter. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Buenos Aires, Argentina usually receives more rain than Limain January. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryBuenos Aires, Argentina 12°C (53°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Lima in the Spring?
Both Lima and Buenos Aires, Argentina during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
In October, Buenos Aires, Argentina is generally cooler than Limain April. Daily temperatures in Buenos Aires, Argentina average around 18°C (64°F), and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
It's quite sunny in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In the spring, Buenos Aires, Argentina often gets more sunshine than Limain April. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Buenos Aires, Argentina usually gets more rain in October than Limain April. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilBuenos Aires, Argentina 18°C (64°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Buenos Aires, Argentina
| Buenos Aires, Argentina | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
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.