Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or David?
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 David or Arequipa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between David and Arequipa can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: David or Arequipa?
David
In the Pacific West of Panama, David is the capital city of Chiriqui province. The city's population of almost 150,000 is among the wealthiest in the country. There is a well established middle class and unemployment remains low in the area. The area has grown rapidly in recent years with growing commercial and banking sectors. The city is well connected to the rest of the country by the Pan American Highway.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama, The Best Budget Tours to Panama, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
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David Prices
Panama PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDavid $39Arequipa $62
The average daily cost (per person) in David is $39, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $62. 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 David and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDavid $12Arequipa $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDavid $24Arequipa $50
Compare Hotels in David and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in David 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: David Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.David $12Arequipa $6.53
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$1.47
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Bus Ride$0.47
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Taxi Ride$1.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- Arequipa Airport Arrival Transfer: $13
- Private Transfer from Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport to Hotel: $20
- transfer Airport - Hotel: $21
- Arequipa Airport Departure Transfer: $22
- Arequipa Airport (AQP) Private Transfer to Arequipa City: $23
- Arequipa Bus Station Arrival Transfer: $37
- Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport: $38
- Arequipa Airport Private Transfer: $38
- Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
- Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
- Colca Canyon full day tour with transfer to Puno: $80
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into David or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and David 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 dayDavid $17Arequipa $26
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$0.44
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Lunch$3.09
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Ice Cream$1.18
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Fruit$0.88
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Ice Cream$1.03
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
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $63
- Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour: $79
- A 3-hour Guided Food Tour with 4 Iconic Restaurants of Arequipa: $79
- Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.David $4.37Arequipa $20
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$2.94
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Salsa Class$2.94
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Movie Ticket$3.21
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Hot Springs$2.94
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Route of the Sillar 4-Hour Tour: $10
- Arequipa Walking Tour city center and drinks experience: $10
- Arequipa Tasting Tour: $13
- Tour to La Ruta del Sillar and Culesbrillas in Arequipa: $15
- Countryside Tour Arequipa: $18
- Chili River White Water Rafting Adventure with Pickup: $18
- Sillar Route and Culebrillas Tour Culture and Nature in Arequipa: $19
- City Tour Arequipa: $20
- Arequipa Rafting adventure on the Chili river with pick-up: $20
- Koh Rong Tour: A Snorkeling, Fishing, Sunset, Plankton: $20
- Añashuayco Quarries and Sillar Route Tour from Arequipa: $25
- Arequipa Sillar Stone Quarries and Culebrillas Canyon Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDavid -Arequipa $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$2.65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between David and Arequipa, we can see that Arequipa is more expensive. And not only is David much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since David is in Central America 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 David would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in David 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 David.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is David Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, David or Arequipa?
Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of David. When comparing the sizes of David 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.