A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cesis vs. Machu Picchu for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cesis or Machu Picchu?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cesis and Machu Picchu 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: Cesis or Machu Picchu?

Cesis

Cesis is the quintessential old world town in Latvia. It is nestled among rolling hills, giving it a beautiful, fantasy world like setting. The small town is sprinkled with old castles, fortresses, and parks that you can leisurely wander through to pass the time. There's a lovely town square that is the perfect place to grab a seat on a bench and people watch. Because of the square's central location, many residents pass through it on their way to and from the market. The town is intertwined with lovely cobblestone streets that are lined with old homes, in various stages of disrepair. Cesis manages to perfectly balance a level of authentic wear and tear with a fairytale ambiance. Outside of town you'll find great hiking trails that you can use to explore the rolling hills and picturesque countryside. The small town is also conveniently located less than 100 kilometers from Riga, making it an easy trip on a bus.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is a site of ancient Inca ruins located about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Cuzco, Peru, in the Cordillera de Vilcabamba of the Andes Mountains. It is perched above the Urubamba River valley in a narrow saddle between two sharp peaks, Machu Picchu ("Old Peak") and Huayna Picchu ("New Peak"), at an elevation of 7,710 feet (2,350 metres). One of the few major pre-Columbian ruins found nearly intact, Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Thus, Machu Picchu is not only an impressive remnant of the Inca civilization, it is also one of the world's most important archaeological sites. A stop at Machu Picchu is an essential part of any traveler's itinerary in Peru, as it is one of the seven wonders of the world.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Cesis?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Cesis Prices
    Latvia Prices
    Machu Picchu Prices
    Peru Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Cesis 138
    Machu Picchu 104

The average daily cost (per person) in Cesis is €138, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is €104. 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 Cesis and Machu Picchu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cesis 47
    Machu Picchu 38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cesis 94
    Machu Picchu 76
Compare Hotels in Cesis and Machu Picchu

Looking for a hotel in Cesis or Machu Picchu? 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 Cesis


Hotels in Machu Picchu


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: Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cesis 30
    Machu Picchu 27

Is it cheaper to fly into Cesis or Machu Picchu?

Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and Cesis 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
    Cesis 71
    Machu Picchu 30
Typical Food Prices in Cesis

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


  • Lunch in town for two
    6.67

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cesis 16
    Machu Picchu 66

Typical Entertainment Prices in Machu Picchu

For Machu Picchu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Gardens of Mandor
    2.44

Tours and Activities in Machu Picchu

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

  • Private & Flexible 3-Hour Guided Tour of Machu Picchu: $60
  • Private Tour Guide Service: $98
  • Machu Picchu Morning Combo: Entrance Ticket, Bus and Guide: $196
  • Machu Picchu Small-Group Combo: Entrance Ticket, Bus & Guide: $196

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cesis 17
    Machu Picchu 6.20


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

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