A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Eagle Beach vs. Cusco for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Eagle Beach or Cusco?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Eagle Beach or Cusco, 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: Eagle Beach or Cusco?

Eagle Beach

Aruba, only fifteen miles north of Venezuela, is a top Caribbean tourist destination. It's a small island, only 20 miles long and 6 miles wide, and is an autonomous dependency of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. One of the most popular and beautiful beaches on the island is Eagle Beach. It's a popular beach with the locals, and a common destination for many who are looking for a party. The beach is particularly crowded on Easter weekend. The sand is a sugary white and the waters are a stunning crystal blue color. The beach itself is quite flat and the ocean is so calm it's like swimming in a pool. There are a handful of palm trees if you're seeking shade, but otherwise it's the ideal place to soak up some rays. You'll find some shaded picnic areas as well if you're hoping to enjoy a casual lunch.

Cusco

Cusco is most famous as the historic capital of the Inca Empire. It is in the southern Sierras and is one of the most popular travel destinations within Peru. The city is located at 3,400 meters above sea level so it is best to acclimate yourself slowly to avoid altitude sickness.

Cusco is the starting point for many travelers making their way to the famed Machu Picchu or other Inca sites in the surrounding area.

The city is very beautiful and has impressive architecture throughout. The history is obvious as you walk around town and there are impressive ruins nearby, with the most impressive being Sacsayhuaman. The city also has a significant indigenous population that is obvious from their traditional clothing and style.

Cusco has a subtropical highland climate with a pleasant daytime temperature year around. There are two distinct seasons with the dry season being between May and August and the wet season between December and March. During the dry season there is plenty of sun with occasional nighttime freezes. Frost is less common in the wet season.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.


Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Eagle Beach?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Eagle Beach is $341, while the average daily cost in Cusco is $51. 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 Eagle Beach and Cusco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Eagle Beach $227
    Cusco $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Eagle Beach $454
    Cusco $46
Compare Hotels in Eagle Beach and Cusco

Looking for a hotel in Eagle Beach or Cusco? 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 Eagle Beach


Hotels in Cusco


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: Cusco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Eagle Beach $33
    Cusco $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Eagle Beach

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Eagle Beach:


  • Round-trip Bus Ticket
    $2.22
  • One Day Scooter Rental
    $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Eagle Beach

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Eagle Beach:

  • Round-Trip Aruba Airport Transfer: $22
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Aruba Reina Beatrix Airport (AUA)- Aruba: $25
  • Aruba Private Airport Transfer: Personalized Arrival: $31
  • Private One-Way Transfer from Aruba To Reina Beatrix Airport: $32
  • Private Transfer from Oranjestad Cruise Port to Oranjestad city: $36
  • Private Transfer from Oranjestad Queen Airport to Oranjestad Port: $36
  • Private Transfer from Oranjestad Port to Oranjestad Queen Airport: $36
  • Aruba Queen Beatrix Airport(AUA) to Aruba Island-Arrival Transfer: $39
  • Aruba Island to Aruba Queen Airport(AUA) Departure Transfer: $39
  • Aruba Island to Aruba Queen Airport (AUA) - Departure Transfer: $39
  • 2 Ways Private Transfers: $45
  • Private Transfer from Reina Beatrix Airport to Oranjestad Aruba: $45

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cusco:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:

  • Airport Cusco Transfers: $69
  • Arrival Transfer & Cusco City Tour (Private Service): $80
  • Cusco – Puno Direct Transfers: $24
  • Cusco Airport Arrival or Departure Transfer : $13
  • Cusco Airport Pickup and Private Transfer: $15
  • Cusco Airport: Private 1-Way Transfer: $15
  • Cusco Bus Station Arrival or Departure Transfer: $13
  • Cusco Private Transfer to Poroy Railway Station: $15
  • Cusco to Ollantaytambo: One-Way Private Transfer: $55
  • Abode of the Gods ATV Tour with Transfer: $30
  • Alpaca and Llama Farm Tour w/ Transfer & Weaving Demo: $34
  • Full-Day Trip to Machu Picchu with Hotel Transfers: $290

Is it cheaper to fly into Eagle Beach or Cusco?

Prices for flights to both Cusco and Eagle Beach 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
    Eagle Beach $68
    Cusco $13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Eagle Beach

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

  • Noord, Aruba: Exclusive Private Dinner aboard the Aqua Donut: $90
  • Aruba Caribbean Dinner Sail Experience: $92
  • Sunset Sail Cruise to Boca Catalina with BBQ Dinner: $110
  • Sunset Sail: Aruba Dinner Cruise with Open Bar by Catamaran: $119
  • Caribbean Cooking Class in Aruba: $160

Typical Food Prices in Cusco

Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:


  • Sandwich
    $2.17
  • Mango
    $0.54

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco

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

  • Folkloric Andean Show & 3-Course Dinner at Tunupa: $15
  • 3-Hour Peruvian Cooking Class: $49
  • Pete's Peruvian Cooking Class: $52
  • Market Tour & Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class in Cusco: $53
  • Cusco Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo in Cusco: $54
  • Cooking Class and market tour with a local chef: $56
  • Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market in Cusco: $59
  • Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market Tour: $63
  • Peruvian Cooking Class & Market Tour: $65
  • Awamaki Cooking Class: $68
  • Curious Monkey Cusco- Eat the Streets, Walking Food Tour: $70
  • The 10 Tastings of Cusco With Locals: Private Food Tour : $77

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Eagle Beach $121
    Cusco $29
Typical Entertainment Prices in Eagle Beach

Here are a few typical costs in Eagle Beach for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Full Day Bike Rental
    $25
  • Kayak & Snorkeling Tour
    $98
  • Horseback Riding Tour
    $70
  • 4 Hr Snorkel Trip
    $74

Tours and Activities in Eagle Beach

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

  • Champagne and Diamond Shopping Experience in Aruba: $5.00
  • Aruba Mangel Halto and Baby Beach Snorkeling Guided Tour: $37
  • Scenic Aruba Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $40
  • Aruba Downtown Historic and Cultural Walking Tour: $40
  • Explore Aruba Party Bus Tour: $41
  • Aruba Countryside Tour: $41
  • The Whole Story Tour + A Ride: $45
  • Half-Day Aruba Animal Sanctuary Guided Tour : $45
  • Half-Day Aruba Island Tour from Oranjestad: $49
  • Aruba Baby Beach Express Tour: $49
  • Colorful Beach Bus Sightseeing Tour of Aruba: $54
  • Aruba Jet Ski Rentals — Exciting Water Adventures Await: $58

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:


  • Salsa Class
    $2.71

Tours and Activities in Cusco

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

  • Free Walking Tour of Cusco: $2.00
  • Cusco Walking Tour: A Journey Through Ancient Streets: $5.00
  • Cusco : Half Day City Tour: $9.00
  • Open-Top Bus City Tour: $12
  • Mirabus Cusco city tour | Panoramic view |: $12
  • Mirabus Cusco city tour | Panoramic view |: $12
  • City tours Cusco: $12
  • Mirabus City Tour | Panoramic View: $12
  • Open Bus Tour of the City’s Wonder’s: $12
  • Sightseeing Tour of the City on an Open-Top Bus: $12
  • Historic Walking Tour with Pisco Sour and Music Show: $13
  • City Tour in Cusco: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Eagle Beach $31
    Cusco $9.56

Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco

Also in Cusco, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
  • Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks: $18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eagle Beach and Cusco, we can see that Eagle Beach is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Eagle Beach is in Caribbean Islands and Cusco 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 Cusco would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cusco 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 Eagle Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eagle Beach than you might in Cusco.

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