A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Buzios vs. Paracas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Buzios or Paracas?

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

Should I visit Buzios or Paracas? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Buzios or Paracas?

Buzios

Initially a fishing village, Armação dos Buzios is a small beach resort town about three hours from Rio de Janeiro by bus. Buzios is a common weekend getaway destination for Cariocas. With 23 beaches, visitors from all over come to swim, snorkel, surf and enjoy sun and sand.

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 Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Paracas or Buzios?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Buzios is $77, 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 Buzios and Paracas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Buzios $37
    Paracas $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Buzios $74
    Paracas $44
Compare Hotels in Buzios and Paracas

Looking for a hotel in Buzios 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.

Hotels in Buzios


Hotels in Paracas


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: Paracas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Buzios $19
    Paracas $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buzios

Also for Buzios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Arraial do Cabo Shared Transfer to Rio de Janeiro: $52
  • Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Departure Transfer : $28
  • Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Private Transfer: $25
  • Departure Private Transfer Arraial do Cabo to GIG or SDU Airport by Sedan Car: $241
  • Departure Transfer from Buzios or to Rio Airports by Minivan: $219
  • Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Buzios: $97
  • Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 4 pax to Buzios: $106
  • Private Transfer Buzios to Rio de Janeiro: $91
  • Private Transfer from Buzios Cruise Port to Cabo Frio city hotels: $36
  • Private Transfer from Buzios Cruise Port to Cabo Frio hotels: $40
  • Private Transfer from Buzios Cruise Port to Rio de Janeiro hotels: $28
  • Private Transfer from Buzios Cruise Port to Santos Dumont (SDU): $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:

  • Private Transfer From Paracas To Lima With 2 Stops: $175
  • Direct Private Transfer From Paracas to Lima, English Speaking Driver: $163
  • Lima: Private taxi transfer from Lima airport to Paracas: $129
  • Private Transfer from Pisko Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels: $87
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $87
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $87
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels: $78
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $78
  • Oneway Transfer from San Juan Airport, Hotel, Airbnb to Bayamon: $60
  • Private Transfer From San Juan Airport (SJU) to /from San Juan: $44
  • Bus Station Private Transfer: $16

Is it cheaper to fly into Buzios or Paracas?

Prices for flights to both Paracas and Buzios 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
    Buzios $24
    Paracas $23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paracas

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

  • From Lima:Paracas,Ica and cooking class Ceviche semi-private: $139

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Buzios $27
    Paracas $25

Tours and Activities in Buzios

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Buzios.

  • Tour of the most beautiful beaches and islands of Buzios by Buziana Tour: $12
  • Buggy Ride in Buzios by Buziana Tour: $16
  • Tour of Bugre in Arraial (Buggy): $21
  • Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo: $23
  • Catamaran Boat Tour in Búzios: $24
  • Half-Day Schooner Sightseeing Trip in Buzios Peninsula Beaches: $29
  • Buzios Trolley City Tour: $29
  • Buggy Tour in Arraial do Cabo by Arraial Viagens: $31
  • 3-hour Small Group Buzios Peninsula Open Air Trolley Tour: $33
  • 7 Beaches In Búzios With Photos On A Private Tour!: $34
  • Tour in Boat Tour in Buzios: $37
  • From Buzios To Arraial With Photos On A Private Tour!: $49

Tours and Activities in Paracas

Here are a few actual costs in Paracas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2-Hour Tour to the Ballestas Islands from Puerto San Martín: $49
  • 2D: Tour Ica, Huacachina, Sandboarding, Ballestas Islands: $215
  • 3-Day Paracas Tour Package: $235
  • 4-Hour Guided Tour Paracas National Reserve: $20
  • 7-Hours Tour in Paracas National Reserve with Pickup: $38
  • ATV Tour Adventure in Reserva Nacional de Paracas: $45
  • Ballestas Islands Group Tour from Paracas : $26
  • Ballestas Islands Group Tour from San Martin Port: $50
  • Ballestas Islands Sightseeing Boat Ride from Paracas: $24
  • Ballestas Islands Tour: $24
  • Ballestas Islands Tour - Paracas: $25
  • Ballestas Islands Tour Boat with roof: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Buzios $17
    Paracas $11


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

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


Which is Bigger, Buzios or Paracas?

Buzios has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of Buzios 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.