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

Should you visit Cordoba or Arequipa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cordoba or Arequipa, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Cordoba or Arequipa?

Cordoba

Cordoba is the capital of the Cordoba province and the second largest city in all of Argentina. The city is in a beautiful setting surrounded by valleys and hills. Within the city you will find many colonial buildings and beautiful architecture. Cordoba also has many universities and scientific institutes, giving it the nickname "La Docta." Because of the large number of students, Cordoba's population is young and active, which keeps the atmosphere light and fun.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Argentina, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Cordoba?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cordoba is $61, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $60. 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 Cordoba and Arequipa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cordoba $49
    Arequipa $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cordoba $98
    Arequipa $48
Compare Hotels in Cordoba and Arequipa

Looking for a hotel in Cordoba 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 Cordoba


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: Cordoba Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cordoba $2.86
    Arequipa $6.36

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.43
  • Bus Ride
    $0.46
  • Taxi Ride
    $1.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:

  • Colca Canyon 2-Day Tour with Lodge Stay and Transfer to Puno: $283
  • 2 Day Trek Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $179
  • Koh lanta any hotel to Phuket airport Private transfer: $172
  • Colca Canyon Sightseeing Tour 2D1N and Transfer to Puno: $147
  • 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with optional transfer to Puno: $132
  • Full Day Tour Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $112
  • Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
  • Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $81
  • Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
  • Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
  • Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport : $38
  • Transfer Between Arequipa's Airport and Hotels: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Cordoba or Arequipa?

Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Cordoba 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
    Cordoba $6.62
    Arequipa $25

Typical Food Prices in Arequipa

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


  • Coke
    $0.43
  • Lunch
    $3.01
  • Ice Cream
    $1.15
  • Fruit
    $0.86
  • Ice Cream
    $1.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa

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

  • Cooking Class at La Plantation: $35
  • Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
  • Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
  • Peruvian Cooking Class: $53
  • Private Cooking Class in Arequipa: $57
  • Food Tour Gastronomic Guided : $113

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cordoba $17
    Arequipa $19

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
    $2.87
  • Salsa Class
    $2.87
  • Movie Ticket
    $3.13
  • Hot Springs
    $2.87

Tours and Activities in Arequipa

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

  • Colca Full Day Tour: $51
  • Walking tour history, legends & mysteries : $28
  • 2 Day - Colca Canyon and Condor Tour from Arequipa, Peru - Group Service : $295
  • 2 Days of Natural Experience in the Colca Canyon: $140
  • 2 days 1 night Colca Canyon tour from Arequipa: $110
  • 2-Day Group Tour to Colca Canyon from Arequipa: $230
  • 2-Day Hiking Tour to the Colca Canyon: $90
  • 2-Day Tour to the Magical Colca Canyon: $68
  • 2-Day tour Colca Canyon ending in Puno: $95
  • 3 Hour Congata Rover Biking Ride Tour in Arequipa: $45
  • 3-hour guided tour in Arequipa: $65
  • 8-Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas with Pick-up: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cordoba $6.96
    Arequipa $17

Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa

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


  • Beer
    $2.58


When comparing the travel costs between Cordoba and Arequipa, we can see that Cordoba 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 Cordoba Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cordoba or Arequipa?

Cordoba has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Arequipa. When comparing the sizes of Cordoba and Arequipa, 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.