Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Flores?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Flores 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 Flores 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: Flores or Arequipa?
Flores
The town of Flores is located in Peten, Guatemala. The main hub is located on an island on Lago Peten Itza, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. On the other side of the causeway are the towns of Santa Elena and San Benito, however, all three are often referred to as Flores. Most people visit the area for its proximity to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal, though the town itself is also charming with colonial buildings and historic churches lining the cobbled streets.
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 Tours for Seniors to Guatemala, The Best G Adventures Tours to Guatemala, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
-
Flores Prices
Guatemala PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFlores $43Arequipa $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Flores is $43, 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 Flores and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFlores $8.77Arequipa $25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFlores $18Arequipa $50
Compare Hotels in Flores and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Flores 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: Flores Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Flores $8.00Arequipa $6.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Flores
Also for Flores, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bus transfer from Flores, Guatemala to Belize City: $20
- Flores, Peten: One way shared transfer to Rio Dulce, Izabal: $39
- Belize/Caye Caulke/San Pedro Van or Ferry Transfer: $20
- One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey, Lanquin: $49
- Tikal National Park Guided Tour with Transfers: $24
- Transfer from Flores to Semuc Champey, Lanquin, Tourists Only: $40
- From Flores, Peten: One way shared transfer to Tikal: $39
- Same day Round-Trip VIP Exclusive Transfer to Tikal from Flores: $160
- Tikal Transfer and Tour Guide From Flores: $90
- Transfer : Mayan World Airport to Flores Island Hotels: $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$1.47
-
Bus Ride$0.47
-
Taxi Ride$1.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- transfer Airport - Hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport: $37
- 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: $258
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $79
- Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
- Colca Canyon full day tour with transfer to Puno: $80
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Flores or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Flores 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 dayFlores $23Arequipa $26
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
-
Coke$0.44
-
Lunch$3.09
-
Ice Cream$1.18
-
Fruit$0.88
-
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: $63
- Arequipa : Food Tour and History (3 Restaurants and Market): $69
- 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
- Food Tour Gastronomic Guided: $119
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Flores $20Arequipa $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Flores
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Flores's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Tikal Entrance (for 2)$39
-
Map of Tikal$3.27
Tours and Activities in Flores
For Flores, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tour and transportation with tour guide to Tikal.: $20
- Tikal Sunset Tour Guided Exploration with Flores Pickup: $24
- Shared Guided Sunset Tour in Yaxhá from Flores: $25
- From Flowers Sunset Tour in Tikal: $25
- Yaxha Shared Sunset Tour with Transportation & Guide: $25
- Basic Tour to Tikal Includes Transportation and Guide Service: $25
- Shared tour to Tikal from Flores Island: $30
- Tikal Sightseeing Tour: from Mundo Maya Airport in Flores: $30
- From Tikal Ruins Guided Tour: $31
- Tikal Ruins Day Tour from Flores: $31
- From Yaxha Ruins Guided Tour: $36
- From Tikal Sunrise Archaeological Tour: $37
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Monastery Entry$2.94
-
Salsa Class$2.94
-
Movie Ticket$3.21
-
Hot Springs$2.94
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 Day Tour to Colca Canyon: $43
- 2 Days Colca Living Experience Nature Culture and Tradition: $173
- 2 Days of Natural Experience in the Colca Canyon: $150
- 2 days 1 night Colca Canyon tour ending in Puno: $145
- 2-Day Group Tour to Colca Canyon from Arequipa: $230
- 2-Day Hiking Tour to the Colca Canyon: $120
- 2-Day Tour to the Magical Colca Canyon: $68
- 3-hour guided tour in Arequipa: $65
- 8-Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas with Pick-up: $30
- Añashuayco Quarries and Sillar Route Tour from Arequipa: $25
- Afternoon : Arequipa Walking tour: $55
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayFlores $21Arequipa $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Flores
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Flores are as follows:
-
Two Margaritas$2.62
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
-
Beer$2.65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Flores and Arequipa, we can see that Arequipa is more expensive. And not only is Flores much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Flores 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 Flores would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Flores 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 Flores.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Flores Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Flores or Arequipa?
Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Flores. When comparing the sizes of Flores 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.