Which place is cheaper, Paracas or Cajamarca?
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 Cajamarca or Paracas?
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 Cajamarca and Paracas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cajamarca or Paracas?
Cajamarca
Located in the northern highlands of Peru, Cajamarca is a town of about 100,000 people. The city's mild weather and fertile soil is ideal for agriculture, which is a major industry in the area. The city is also well known for its cheeses and dairy products. Cajamarca is the site of the Battle of Cajamarca which led to the execution of the Inca emperor Atahualpa and the end of the infamous Inca empire. Today, the area is appealing to visitors in part because of its lovely churches, nice hot springs, and interesting Inca Baths.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Peru, The Best Cultural Tours in Peru, The Best Photography Tours in Peru, and The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Peru.
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Cajamarca Prices
Peru PricesParacas Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCajamarca $90Paracas $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Cajamarca is $90, while the average daily cost in Paracas is $80. 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 Cajamarca and Paracas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCajamarca $24Paracas $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCajamarca $48Paracas $44
Compare Hotels in Cajamarca and Paracas
Looking for a hotel in Cajamarca 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: Paracas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cajamarca $17Paracas $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:
- Paracas Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
- Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
- Private Transfer From San Juan Airport (SJU) to /from San Juan: $44
- From Lima: Paracas and Huacachina Day Trip with Transfers: $89
- Lima: Private taxi transfer from Lima airport to Paracas: $129
- From Lima: Paracas and Huacachina Day Trip with Transfers: $139
- Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $214
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $216
Is it cheaper to fly into Cajamarca or Paracas?
Prices for flights to both Paracas and Cajamarca 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 dayCajamarca $49Paracas $40
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cajamarca $26Paracas $25
Tours and Activities in Cajamarca
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cajamarca are as follows:
- Guided city tour + pick up: $22
- From Porcón Farm and Huambocancha Workshops Tour: $25
- Tour to Hacienda La Colpa and Baños del Inca: $35
- Pocon and Otuzco farm tour: $39
- Cajamarca in its Splendor: San Nicolas Lagoon Tour: $40
- Cajamarca Valley Tour – San Nicolas Lagoon: $40
- || Tour of the Cajamarca Valley - San Nicolás lagoon ||: $40
- Tour of the Cajamarca Valley - San Nicolas Lagoon: $40
- || Tour of the Cajamarca Valley - San Nicolás lagoon ||: $45
- From City Tour Cajamarca: $47
- Half-Day Private Cajamarca City Tour: $54
- Sulluscocha Extreme Activities Full-Day Adventure: $65
Tours and Activities in Paracas
Here are a few actual costs in Paracas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ballestas Islands and Candelabra Boat Tour: $15
- Paracas Desert Bike Adventure: $15
- BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $16
- speedboat BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $17
- From Paracas National Reserve Tours: $17
- From Ballestas Islands tour all Inclusive: $17
- From Ballestas Islands Guided Boat Tour: $18
- Ballestas Islands tour all Inclusive: $18
- Tours to Ballestas Islands by Speed Boat: $19
- Ballestas Islands Morning Boat Tour: $20
- Ballestas Islands Tour Boat with roof: $20
- From Scenic Boat Tour to Ballestas Island: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCajamarca $16Paracas $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Paracas
Also in Paracas, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- From Lima: Ballestas Islands, Huacachina, and Wine Tour: $75
- From Lima: Ballestas Islands, Huacachina, and Wine Tour: $75
When comparing the travel costs between Cajamarca and Paracas, we can see that Cajamarca is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cajamarca Expensive? and Is Paracas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cajamarca or Paracas?
Cajamarca has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of Cajamarca 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.