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

Should you visit Da Nang or Arequipa?

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

Should I visit Da Nang or Arequipa? 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: Da Nang or Arequipa?

Da Nang

Halfway between Ho Chi Minh City in the south and Hanoi in the North is the easy-going beach city of Da Nang (or Danang, for some). The third most populated city in Vietnam, Da Nang draws in crowds with its beautiful and calm beaches as well as its history as a French colonial port.

With beaches, mountains, and cityscape, there's bound to be a point of interest for all travelers. Da Nang is also a transit hub to get to the four Vietnamese UNESCO World heritage sites: Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Hue, Hoi An, and My Son.

Da Nang experiences wet season from September through March and dry season from April through August with average temperatures of around 80℉.

Da Nang is also known to have some of the friendliest locals, probably due to the peace and quiet and lack of heavy traffic, even in the city.

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 Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Da Nang?

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 Da Nang is $56, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $61. 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 Da Nang and Arequipa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Da Nang $18
    Arequipa $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Da Nang $36
    Arequipa $50
Compare Hotels in Da Nang and Arequipa

Looking for a hotel in Da Nang 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 Da Nang


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: Da Nang Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Da Nang $11
    Arequipa $6.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Da Nang

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Da Nang:

  • Afternoon private transfer from Danang city to the Golden Bridge: $44
  • Ba Na Hills Day/Night Ticket With Round-trip Private Transfer: $79
  • Coconut Jungle - Vegetable & Pottery Village- PRIVATE TRANSFER: $56
  • Coconut Jungle- Basket Boat Ride- Hoi An City - PRIVATE TRANSFER: $66
  • DA NANG AIRPORT to Da Nang Hotel by Private Transfer: $17
  • DCAR Limousine to GOLDEN BRIDGE - Private Transfer ( 8-9 Hours): $89
  • Da Nang - Hoi An Airport Transfer: $18
  • Da Nang Airport (DAD) to Da Nang/Hoi An – Private Transfer: $5.15
  • Da Nang Airport (or Da Nang hotel) Transfer to Hue by Private Car: $55
  • Da Nang Airport Arrival Private Transfer: $25
  • Da Nang Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $10
  • Da Nang Airport Private Transfer Drop off in Da Nang or Hoi An: $14

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.45
  • Bus Ride
    $0.46
  • Taxi Ride
    $1.01

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:

  • Arequipa Airport Arrival Transfer: $13
  • Arequipa Airport Departure Transfer: $19
  • Private Transfer from Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport to Hotel: $20
  • Arequipa Airport Private Transfer: $38
  • Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
  • Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $78
  • Colca Canyon full day tour with transfer to Puno: $80
  • Colca Canyon 2 days from Arequipa with final transfer to Puno: $85
  • Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
  • 2 Days Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno: $138

Is it cheaper to fly into Da Nang or Arequipa?

Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Da Nang 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
    Da Nang $27
    Arequipa $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Da Nang

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

  • Da Nang Private Street Food Tour with Students Flexible Itinerary: $5.00
  • Ho Chi Minh City Authentic Street Food Tour With Local Students: $7.91
  • Coffee Making and Cooking Class: $17
  • Tasty Dinner Han River Dragon Cruise by Yatch & Tradictional Show: $17
  • Da Nang Han River Night Cruise Sightseeing And Dinner Option: $20
  • Poseidon Cruise with Dinner and Dragon Bridge Show: $22
  • Da Nang Street Walking Food Tour: $29
  • Vietnamese Banh Xeo Cooking Class w.t Traditional Recipes-Private: $30
  • Da Nang Street Food Tour On Scooter - up to 12 Tastings: $32
  • Da Nang Private Tour Poseidon Dinner Cruise and Hotel Transfer: $33
  • 6 Hours Cooking Activity Pick up Da Nang: $33
  • Experience Vegan/Vegetarian Cooking Class in Da Nang: $35

Typical Food Prices in Arequipa

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


  • Coke
    $0.43
  • Lunch
    $3.04
  • Ice Cream
    $1.16
  • Fruit
    $0.87
  • Ice Cream
    $1.01

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa

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

  • Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
  • Cooking Class at La Plantation: $36
  • Arequipa Nights Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
  • Almuerzo Arequipa Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
  • Peruvian Cooking Class: $63
  • Arequipa : Food Tour and History (3 Restaurants and Market): $80
  • Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
  • Food Tour Gastronomic Guided: $119

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Da Nang $13
    Arequipa $19

Tours and Activities in Da Nang

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Da Nang are as follows:

  • Hue Imperial City and Royal Tombs Scenic Tour With Hai Van Pass: $1.90
  • Da Nang City Sightseeing and Ba Na Hills Golden Bridge 2 Day Tour: $1.90
  • Da Nang City Sightseeing and My Son Sanctuary Heritage Experience: $1.90
  • Vietnamese Tradition Combo Ao dai Coffee and Banh mi Private Tour: $2.77
  • Vietnam Da Nang Museum Admission Ticket: $4.00
  • Da Nang Ultimate Highlights Tour With Golden Bridge Ba Na Hills: $5.00
  • Da Nang Night Cruise on Han River with Optional Shows or Massage: $5.00
  • Discover Marble Mountains, Son Tra, Hai Van Pass Tour: $5.00
  • Da Nang City Sightseeing Private Tour With Heritage Show: $5.00
  • Da Nang Nightlife Cruise on Han River with Show, Bar or Massage: $5.00
  • Da Nang City Sightseeing Private Full Day Customized Tour: $5.00
  • Da Nang City Tasting Local Streeet Food Private Tour With Student: $5.00

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
    $2.89
  • Salsa Class
    $2.89
  • Movie Ticket
    $3.15
  • Hot Springs
    $2.89

Tours and Activities in Arequipa

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

  • Pedestrian Tour of the Historic Center of Arequipa: $5.00
  • Route of the Sillar 4-Hour Tour: $10
  • Walking Tour through the Historic Center of Arequipa: $10
  • City tour Arequipa by foot: $10
  • Arequipa Tasting Tour: $13
  • Tour to La Ruta del Sillar and Culesbrillas in Arequipa: $15
  • Chili River White Water Rafting Adventure with Pickup: $16
  • Sillar Route Tour The best experience!!: $17
  • Countryside Tour Arequipa: $18
  • City Tour Arequipa: $20
  • Koh Rong Tour: A Snorkeling, Fishing, Sunset, Plankton: $20
  • Sillar Route and Culebrillas Canyon Full-Day Tour from Arequipa: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Da Nang $9.05
    Arequipa $17

Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa

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


  • Beer
    $2.60


When comparing the travel costs between Da Nang and Arequipa, we can see that Arequipa 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. Even though Da Nang is in Asia and Arequipa is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Da Nang or Arequipa?

Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Da Nang. When comparing the sizes of Da Nang 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.