Which place is cheaper, Lima or Dakar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dakar or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dakar or Lima, 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: Dakar or Lima?
Dakar
Located in West Africa, Dakar is the capital city of Senegal and an Atlantic port on the Cap-Vert peninsula. Main attractions include the city's markets, the Dakar Grand Mosque, Goree Island, the IFAN Museum, the African Renaissance Monument, beaches, and the Senegal Zoo.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDakar $61Lima $76
The average daily cost (per person) in Dakar is $61, while the average daily cost in Lima is $76. 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 Dakar and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDakar $32Lima $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDakar $64Lima $98
Compare Hotels in Dakar and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Dakar or Lima? 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: Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dakar $5.37Lima $5.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:
- AIBD-DAKAR transfer: $49
- Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $66
- Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $82
- DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $120
- Transfer - Dakar <-> Saint-Louis (One way): $197
- Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $211
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.37
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Taxi Ride$5.37
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Short Taxi Ride$4.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Airport Transfer Service in Lima: $95
- Assistance /Transfer Hotel - Airport Lima Airport : $40
- Deluxe Car Lima Transfer - Private Service: $29
- From The Larco Museum Complete Tour with transfers: $56
- J.Chavez Airport to Miraflores City Hotels- Round Trip Transfer: $41
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival Private Transfer : $31
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $61
- Jorge Chavez International Airport: Private Transfer: $25
- LIMA AIRPORT SHUTTLE - Shared Transfer: $13
- Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer: $134
- Lima : Private transfer between airport to your destination: $29
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Dakar or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Dakar 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 dayDakar $20Lima $17
Typical Food Prices in Dakar
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:
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Breakfast$4.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dakar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dakar.
- Senegalese Street Food Tour in Dakar: $115
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.30
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Ice cream$3.49
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Coffee$2.95
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Donut$0.94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Market Food Tour: $33
- Lima Market Food Tour: $34
- Peruvian Food Tour Through Local Markets: $40
- Ceviche Cooking Class Including Pisco Sour Lesson: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dakar $14Lima $8.57
Tours and Activities in Dakar
Here are a few actual costs in Dakar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $30
- Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Dakar: $31
- Accro Baobab Adventure Ticket Entry: $38
- Half Day Dakar City Tour: $105
- Private City Tour: $109
- Full Day Private Tour in move, eat, act like a local: $109
- Half-Day GOREE Island Tour:The Heritage Tour: $130
- Mamelles Lighthouse and Ngor Island (Walking Tour): $130
- From Dakar or Saly: Half-Day Tour to Pink Lake: $138
- Full Day Goree Island And Dakar City Tour(Minimum 2 Participants): $142
- Full-Day Private Dakar City Tour : $142
- Day trip Goree island and Dakar city tour : $159
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$16
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Movie Tickets$2.28
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Free Walking Tour of Lima: $2.00
- Peru's Best Bike Experience since 2014 - 4 Hours Hire: $9.90
- Customize your trip to Peru with Lima Experience: $12
- bike tour: $12
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $13
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Barranco Street Art Tour: $17
- Party tour Fridays Barranco / Saturdays Miraflores: $18
- Private Beach Guided Bike Tour in Lima : $19
- Private Tour with guide in Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI: $20
- Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $20
- Lima Downtown Tour from Miraflores in 3 hrs: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDakar $9.00Lima $5.57
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.23
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Beer$4.03
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Cocktail$3.22
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $12
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $18
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Party Tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl and Drinks: $18
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $25
- Local Wine Tour : $39
- Local Wine Tour: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dakar and Lima, we can see that Lima is more expensive. And not only is Dakar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dakar is in Africa and Lima 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 Dakar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dakar 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 Lima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lima than you might in Dakar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dakar Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dakar or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dakar. When comparing the sizes of Dakar and Lima, 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.
When is the best time to visit Dakar or Lima?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Dakar or Lima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dakar and Lima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Dakar usually receives more rain than Lima. Dakar gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dakar usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Dakar gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.
Dakar is much warmer than Lima in the summer. The daily temperature in Dakar averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDakar 28°C (82°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Dakar or Lima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Dakar as well as Lima. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Dakar usually gets more rain in October than Lima. Dakar gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. In the autumn, Dakar often gets more sunshine than Lima. Dakar gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Dakar is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dakar in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Lima averages at about 19°C (66°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDakar 28°C (82°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Dakar or Lima in the Winter?
Both Lima and Dakar are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Dakar usually receives more rain than Lima. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. Dakar usually receives more sunshine than Lima during winter. Dakar gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Dakar is generally around the same temperature as Lima. Daily temperatures in Dakar average around 22°C (72°F), and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDakar 22°C (72°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Dakar or Lima in the Spring?
Both Lima and Dakar during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dakar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
Dakar usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Dakar gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Dakar. In the spring, Dakar often gets more sunshine than Lima. Dakar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.
Dakar is around the same temperature as Lima in the spring. The daily temperature in Dakar averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDakar 21°C (70°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Dakar
| Dakar | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
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.