Which place is cheaper, Lima or Canberra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Canberra or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Canberra or Lima? 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: Canberra or Lima?
Canberra
There is something special about the capital city of Australia. Canberra's not just a wonderful spot for outdoor adventures. It's a city completely designed and built up around the coast of an artificial lake. When architects Walter Burley and Marion Mahony Griffin proposed their plans for Canberra it was met with a lot of criticism. Many people thought it would be a "waste of a good sheep pasture."
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 Walking Tours in Australia, The Best Eco Tours in Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCanberra $135Lima $76
The average daily cost (per person) in Canberra is $135, while the average daily cost in Lima is $76. 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 Canberra and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCanberra $83Lima $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCanberra $166Lima $98
Compare Hotels in Canberra and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Canberra 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: Canberra Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Canberra $25Lima $5.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Canberra
Also for Canberra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Canberra to Canberra Int Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $34
- Canberra Int'l Airport to Canberra - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
- Canberra Airport (CBR) to Canberra - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- Private Transfer from Canberra city hotels to Eden Cruise Port: $82
- Private Transfer from Canberra Airport CBR to Eden Cruise Port : $82
- Guided Tour of Floriade Festival with Transfers: $118
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.37
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Taxi Ride$5.37
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Short Taxi Ride$4.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Lima HTL-APT (LIM): $34
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Lima APT-HTL (LIM) : $34
- Transfers from / to Lima airport: $43
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Lima Jorge Chávez Airport to Lima City: $40
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Lima City to Airport: $40
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Lima City - Lima Airport (LIM): $61
- Transfer from Lima city to the airport: $18
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
- The Larco Museum Complete Tour with transfers: $52
- Tegucigalpa to Tegucigalpa Toncontin Airport (TGU) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Taxi transfers from and to the Lima Airport and Paracas Ica: $20
- Round-Trip Transfer in Private Minivan from-to Lima Airport (LIM) in Lima City: $122
Is it cheaper to fly into Canberra or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Canberra 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 dayCanberra $35Lima $17
Typical Food Prices in Canberra
For Canberra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$17
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.30
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Ice cream$3.49
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Coffee$2.95
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Donut$0.94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Market Food Tour: $33
- Lima Market Food Tour: $34
- Peruvian Food Tour Through Local Markets: $40
- Ceviche Cooking Class Including Pisco Sour Lesson: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Canberra $17Lima $8.57
Tours and Activities in Canberra
For Canberra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Building + Architecture Tour | 10am Daily: $13
- Museum Highlights Tour | 1pm Daily: $13
- First Australians Tour | 3pm Daily: $13
- Australian Institute of Sport: The AIS Tour: $14
- Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour in Canberra: $30
- LGBTQIA+ History Walking Tour: $33
- Guided Tree Ropes Course Experience in Majura Pines: $39
- Women's History Walking Tour with Local Guide: $40
- Spies in the Capital: Women in Espionage Walking Tour: $40
- Best of Wildlife Tour: $89
- Best of Wildlife and Birds Tour: $98
- Beer, Wine, and Spirits Tasting Tour: $112
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)$16
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Movie Tickets$2.28
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Lima bike and 5 Step Food Tasting Experience: $92
- The best of Lima walking tour: $198
- Cultural Tour of the city of Lima & Gastronomic: $62
- 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $279
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $149
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $149
- 2d/1n Tour: Flight to the Nazca, Paracas and Huacachina Lines: $289
- 3 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $289
- 3 Day Tour to Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $159
- 3-Day Trip to Lima Tour Package: $150
- 3-Hour Private Scooter Tour through Miraflores with Guide: $50
- 360° Panoramic bus - Sightseeing Tour: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCanberra $16Lima $5.57
Typical Alcohol Prices in Canberra
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Canberra from other travelers:
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Drinks at a Bar$9.25
Sample the Local Flavors in Canberra
Also in Canberra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Canberra Brewery and Beer Tour in 3 Hours: $99
- Canberra Brewery Winery and Distillery Tour: $112
- Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $122
- CanBEERa Explorer: Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $123
- From Winery, Distillery, & Tasting Tour with Lunch: $149
- Canberra Wine Tour: $158
- Full-Day Canberra Brewery, Wineries & Distillery tour /w lunch: $162
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$7.23
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Beer$4.03
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Cocktail$3.22
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $12
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $18
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Party Tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl and Drinks: $18
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $25
- Local Wine Tour : $39
- Local Wine Tour: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Canberra and Lima, we can see that Canberra is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Canberra is in Pacific and Lima is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra than you might in Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Canberra Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Canberra or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Canberra 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 Canberra or Lima?
Canberra 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 Canberra or Lima in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Canberra as well as Lima. Most visitors come to Canberra for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
In January, Canberra is generally around the same temperature as Limain July. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 20°C (68°F), and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Canberra usually gets more rain in January than Limain July. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyCanberra 20°C (68°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Canberra or Lima in the Autumn?
Both Lima and Canberra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Canberra because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Canberra is cooler than Lima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Canberra. In April, Canberra usually receives more rain than Limain October. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberCanberra 17°C (63°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Canberra or Lima in the Winter?
Both Lima and Canberra during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Canberra this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
In the winter, Canberra is much colder than Lima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Canberra in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Lima averages at about 23°C (73°F)in January.
Canberra usually gets more rain in July than Limain January. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCanberra 11°C (52°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Canberra or Lima in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and Lima. Many travelers come to Canberra for the activities around the city. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Canberra is generally cooler than Limain April. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 15°C (60°F), and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In October, Canberra usually receives more rain than Limain April. Canberra gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilCanberra 15°C (60°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Canberra
| Canberra | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (67°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (54°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 12°C (53°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (60°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 79 mm (3.1 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.