Which place is cheaper, Paracas or Castro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Castro 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 Castro and Paracas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Castro or Paracas?
Castro
The capital of Chiloe, modern and dynamic, has succeeded in keeping its authenticity even though it now has many gigantic supermarkets, hotels and other touristic infrastructures. It is located on the island's eastern coast, halfway between Ancud in the north and Quellon in the south, and is a convenient base for exploring the stunning sites in the region of Chiloe Island. The tourist information is located on the town square in front of the church.
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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCastro $88Paracas $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Castro is $88, 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 Castro and Paracas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCastro $37Paracas $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCastro $74Paracas $44
Compare Hotels in Castro and Paracas
Looking for a hotel in Castro 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: Castro Hotel Prices and Paracas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Castro $20Paracas $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Castro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Castro:
- Chiloe Airport Private Transfer: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:
- Direct Private Transfer From Paracas to Lima, English Speaking Driver: $163
- Lima: Private taxi transfer from Lima airport to Paracas: $129
- Oneway Transfer from San Juan Airport, Hotel, Airbnb to Bayamon: $60
- Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
- Private Transfer From Paracas To Lima With 2 Stops: $175
- Private Transfer From San Juan Airport (SJU) to /from San Juan: $44
- Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels: $78
- Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $87
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $78
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $87
- Private Transfer from Pisko Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Castro or Paracas?
Prices for flights to both Paracas and Castro 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 dayCastro $36Paracas $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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Castro $21Paracas $25
Tours and Activities in Castro
Here are a few actual costs in Castro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Half Day Tour in Patrimonial Castro: $30
- Castro Sightseeing Tour in Chiloe: $58
- From Puerto Varas: Chiloe Island Full-day Tour: $65
- Bosque Piedra Reserve Tour: $106
- Dalcahue and Quinchao Island Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $123
- Pier of Light Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $156
- Lemuy Island in Chiloe Full Day Private Tour: $164
- Lemuy Island Tour from Castro: $178
- Full Day Private Chiloe National Park Tour Following "The Darwin´s Route" : $179
- Dock of Souls Trekking in Chiloe Private Tour: $189
Tours and Activities in Paracas
Here are a few actual costs in Paracas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ballestas Islands Morning Boat Tour: $20
- Ballestas Islands Tour Boat with roof: $20
- 4-Hour Guided Tour Paracas National Reserve: $20
- From Ballestas Islands Guided Boat Tour: $20
- Boat Tour of the Ballestas Islands in Paracas: $20
- Ballestas Islands Tour: $24
- Ballestas Islands Sightseeing Boat Ride from Paracas: $24
- Islas Ballestas Boat Tour - The Galapagos of Peru: $25
- From Scenic Boat Tour to Ballestas Island: $25
- Ballestas Islands Tour - Paracas: $25
- Ballestas Islands Group Tour from Paracas : $26
- From Ballestas Islands Guided Tour: $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCastro $17Paracas $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Castro and Paracas, we can see that Castro 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 Castro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Castro 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 Castro Expensive? and Is Paracas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Castro or Paracas?
Castro has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of Castro 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.