Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Dahab?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Dahab or Arequipa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Dahab and Arequipa 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: Dahab or Arequipa?
Dahab
Dahab is a small town on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It is located about 85 kilometers north of Sharm el-Sheikh and sits on the Gulf of Aqaba. It's a popular destination with divers and backpackers alike, and offers some of the best snorkeling and diving that you'll find in the Red Sea. It's a great alternative to the resort driven Sharm el-Sheikh, and is popular with independent travelers who are looking for affordable accommodation. There are some upmarket options however, predominantly in the Laguna area, but budget facilities are not hard to find.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
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Dahab Prices
Egypt PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDahab $23Arequipa $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Dahab is $23, 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 Dahab and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDahab $8.49Arequipa $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDahab $17Arequipa $50
Compare Hotels in Dahab and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Dahab 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.
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: Dahab Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dahab $2.83Arequipa $6.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dahab
Also for Dahab, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour from Dahab with Lunch & Hotel Transfers: $45
- Beginner Scuba Dive at Lighthouse w Photos & Transfer: $58
- Pickup transfer from Dahab To Sharm El Sheikh airport: $70
- Private Pickup Transfer From Dahab To St. Catherine: $75
- Private Pickup Transfers From Dahab To Cairo: $195
- Private Transfer From Dahab To Sharm el Sheikh airport: $65
- Private Transfer from Dahab to Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH): $34
- Private Transfer from Dahab to Sharm el Sheikh Airport or Hotels: $50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$1.45
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Bus Ride$0.46
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Taxi Ride$1.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- transfer Airport - Hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Arequipa Airport to hotels: $30
- Private Transfer from Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport to Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer From Arequipa To Puno With a 2 Hour Stop: $253
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $78
- Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
- Colca Canyon 2 days from Arequipa with final transfer to Puno: $85
- Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
- Arequipa Bus Station Departure Transfer: $37
- Arequipa Bus Station Arrival Transfer: $37
- Arequipa Airport Private Transfer: $38
- Arequipa Airport Departure Transfer: $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Dahab or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Dahab 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 dayDahab $12Arequipa $25
Typical Food Prices in Dahab
For Dahab, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Seafood Dinner (for 2)$1.82
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Juice$0.10
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Breakfast for Two$0.57
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dahab
For Dahab, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bedouin Dinner in the Mountains In Dahab: $39
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
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Coke$0.43
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Lunch$3.04
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Ice Cream$1.16
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Fruit$0.87
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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
- Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
- Arequipa Nights Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $63
- Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour: $63
- Arequipa : Food Tour and History (3 Restaurants and Market): $80
- Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dahab $5.98Arequipa $19
Tours and Activities in Dahab
For Dahab, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Royal seascope Semi-Submarine Cruise: $33
- Full-Day Hike Tour at St. Catherine's Monastery: $35
- Adventure Quad Biking Tour in Dahab: $40
- Royal Seascope Submarine Guided Boat Tour: $40
- luxury Snorkeling cruise with buffet lunch: $41
- Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour with lunch from Dahab: $43
- Camel Ride + Blue Hole Snorkeling + Quad Bike Tour With Lunch From Dahab: $50
- Mount Sinai Sunrise and St Catherine Monastery Tour from Dahab: $50
- Private Day Tour To Blue Lagoon And Ras Abu Galum From Dahab: $65
- Private City Tour In Sharm El Sheikh From Dahab: $65
- Adventure Safari By Horse In Dahab At Laguna Beach: $65
- Saint Catherine's Monastery half-day Tour with Lunch from Dahab: $70
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Monastery Entry$2.89
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Salsa Class$2.89
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Movie Ticket$3.15
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Hot Springs$2.89
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Day - Colca Canyon and Condor Tour from Arequipa, Peru - Group Service: $288
- 2 Days Climbing Volcano Chachani Tour, Conquer Your First 6,070m: $200
- 2 days 1 night Colca Canyon tour ending in Puno: $145
- 2 days and 1 night tour in the Colca Canyon: $205
- 2-Day Hiking Tour to the Colca Canyon: $120
- 2-Day Tour to the Magical Colca Canyon: $68
- 3 Hour Congata Rover Biking Ride Tour in Arequipa: $50
- 8-Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas with Pick-up: $30
- Afternoon : Arequipa Walking tour: $55
- All inclusive Full day tour Colca Canyon: all Meals & Entrances: $94
- Arequipa 2 day tour to Colca Canyon and Cruz del Cóndor: $55
- Arequipa City Tour and Santa Catalina Monastery: $102
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDahab $3.55Arequipa $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
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Beer$2.60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dahab and Arequipa, we can see that Arequipa is more expensive. And not only is Dahab much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dahab is in Africa and Arequipa 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 Dahab would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dahab 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 Arequipa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arequipa than you might in Dahab.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dahab Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dahab or Arequipa?
Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Dahab. When comparing the sizes of Dahab 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.
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.