A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cali vs. Arequipa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cali or Arequipa?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cali and Arequipa 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: Cali or Arequipa?

Cali

Cali is Colombia's third largest city. Founded in 1536, can be explored on foot: walk under the shade of trees along the riverbank, admire the architecture of churches and other national monuments, and visit the city's many museums. Being the salsa capital of the world, Cali is primarily a destination for salsa and party but it also offers some great days out in the nearby natural surroundings. In Cali, travelers can enjoy music festivals, learn about sugarcane farming, and take in the mountainous landscapes.

Arequipa

Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.

Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Cali?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cali is $22, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $47. 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 Cali and Arequipa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cali $5.34
    Arequipa $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cali $11
    Arequipa $46
Compare Hotels in Cali and Arequipa

Looking for a hotel in Cali or Arequipa? 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 Cali


Hotels in Arequipa


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: Cali Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cali $4.99
    Arequipa $6.00
Typical Local Transportation prices in Cali

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cali:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.89

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cali

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

  • Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by 2x4 Vehicle: $75
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by Minibus: $179
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by Minivan: $105
  • Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $255
  • Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $255
  • Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by 2x4 Vehicle: $75
  • Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minibus: $179
  • Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minivan: $105
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Cali to Alfonso B. Aragon Airport (CLO): $34
  • Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport: $15
  • Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport (CLO): $19
  • Private Transfer to / from Buenaventura: $60

Typical Local Transportation prices in Arequipa

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.35
  • Bus Ride
    $0.43
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.95

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:

  • transfer Airport - Hotel: $21
  • Transfer in private minivan from Arequipa city to Rodríguez Ballón Airport (AQP): $16
  • Transfer in private minivan from Arequipa city to Rodríguez Ballón Airport (AQP): $20
  • Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport: $40
  • Private Transfer from Arequipa Airport to City Center or Viceversa: $29
  • Private Departure Transfer: Arequipa Hotel to Airport: $14
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Arequipa Airport to Hotel: $14
  • Full day tour including transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $87
  • From 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno: $90
  • Direct Transfer Chivay - Puno: $49
  • Departure Private Transfer from Arequipa City to Arequipa Airport AQP by Minivan: $31
  • Departure Private Transfer Arequipa Arequipa City to Airport AQP by Sedan Car: $19

Is it cheaper to fly into Cali or Arequipa?

Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Cali 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
    Cali $7.60
    Arequipa $14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cali

For Cali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Culinary Journeys: Cooking Workshop + Dinner Party: $50
  • Night City Tour in Cali + Dinner: $110
  • Dinner Show in Cali: $189

Typical Food prices in Arequipa

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:


  • Coke
    $0.41
  • Lunch
    $2.84
  • Ice Cream
    $1.08
  • Fruit
    $0.81
  • Ice Cream
    $0.95

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa

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

  • Skip the Line: Dinner and Typical Dances Show Ticket: $23
  • Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $28
  • Peruvian cooking class + PiscoSour class + visit the local market *Whatsapp for more información: $55
  • Curious Monkey -Arequipa Streets, Walking Food Tour: $55
  • Curious Monkey- Arequipa Market and Streets, Walking Food Tour: $56
  • Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $64
  • A 3-hour Guided Food Tour with 5 Iconic Restaurants of Arequipa: $67
  • Peruvian market tour, cooking class, and dinner in Arequipa: $67
  • 3-hour guided food tour / 5 iconic restaurants of Arequipa: $72
  • Food tour in Arequipa: $207

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cali $9.42
    Arequipa $18

Tours and Activities in Cali

For Cali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • RiCo Salsa Tour: Cali Real: $19
  • Santiago de Fruit Market Walking Tour with Tastings: $24
  • Cali City Tour: $29
  • Walking Tour in the Historic Center of Cali City: $37
  • Private City Tour: $39
  • Historical Walking Cali City Tour 3H: $41
  • Private City Tour And Shopping: $44
  • Skip the Line: Show de Salsa Ticket: $46
  • Cali City Tour - The Best Of Cali In Comfort: $47
  • A Unique Gastronomic Experience With Fruit Tour: $54
  • Alameda Market Fruit Tour: $55
  • Private Salsa Lesson Experience with Locals: $70

Typical Entertainment prices in Arequipa

Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Monastery Entry
    $2.70
  • Salsa Class
    $2.70
  • Movie Ticket
    $2.95
  • Hot Springs
    $2.70

Tours and Activities in Arequipa

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

  • 2 Day - Colca Canyon and Condor Tour from Arequipa, Peru - Group Service: $221
  • 2 days 1 night Colca Canyon tour from Arequipa: $78
  • 2-Day Colca Valley Tour: $153
  • 2-Day Group Tour to Colca Canyon from Arequipa: $210
  • 2-Day Group Tour to Colca Canyon from Arequipa to Puno: $318
  • 2-Days Canyon Colca Small-Group Tour from Arequipa: $100
  • 2days: Private Tour Trekking in the Colca Canyon: $250
  • 3-day Colca Canyon Trek Adventure: $1,160
  • 3days Private tour trekking into Colca Canyon: $390
  • 4 days tour to Arequipa and Colca Canyon: $469
  • 4-Day Tour: Arequipa and the Colca Canyon: $617
  • 4-Days Tour to Cotahuasi Canyon in Arequipa: $612

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cali $7.52
    Arequipa $16

Typical Alcohol prices in Arequipa

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:


  • Beer
    $2.43


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

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Cali vs. Arequipa Travel Comparison

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