Which place is cheaper, Paracas 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 Paracas?
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 Paracas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: David or Paracas?
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.
Paracas
Paracas, also known as El Chaco, is a resort town on the Southern coast of the country, about 150 miles south of Lima. The town in located in one of the oldest regions of Peru, with a history dating back to 900 BC and offers many pre-Inca cultural sites throughout the area. Paracas is possibly best known for being home to the Paracas National Reserve, a nature reserve boasting one of the most abundant and diverse ecosystems in the world.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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David Prices
Panama PricesParacas Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDavid $39Paracas $84
The average daily cost (per person) in David is $39, while the average daily cost in Paracas is $84. 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 Paracas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDavid $12Paracas $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDavid $24Paracas $48
Compare Hotels in David and Paracas
Looking for a hotel in David or Paracas? 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 Paracas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.David $12Paracas $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:
- Paracas Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
- Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
- Private Transfer From San Juan Airport (SJU) to /from San Juan: $44
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $220
- Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $220
Is it cheaper to fly into David or Paracas?
Prices for flights to both Paracas 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 $17Paracas $42
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.David $4.37Paracas $26
Tours and Activities in Paracas
Here are a few actual costs in Paracas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Paracas Desert Bike Adventure: $15
- Ballestas Islands Group Tour from Paracas : $15
- Ballestas Islands and Candelabro Boat Tour: $15
- Ballestas Islands: Peru’s Natural Paradise boat tour: $16
- BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $16
- Ballestas Islands Guided Boat Tour: $17
- speedboat BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $17
- From Ballestas Islands tour all Inclusive: $17
- Ballestas Islands tour all Inclusive: $18
- Tours to Ballestas Islands by Speed Boat: $20
- Tour Ballestas Islands: $20
- Ballestas Islands Morning Boat Tour: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDavid -Paracas $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between David and Paracas, we can see that Paracas 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 Paracas 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 Paracas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paracas 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 Paracas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, David or Paracas?
David has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of David and Paracas, 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.