Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Flores?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Flores or Machu Picchu?
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 Machu Picchu 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 Machu Picchu?
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.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a site of ancient Inca ruins located about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Cuzco, Peru, in the Cordillera de Vilcabamba of the Andes Mountains. It is perched above the Urubamba River valley in a narrow saddle between two sharp peaks, Machu Picchu ("Old Peak") and Huayna Picchu ("New Peak"), at an elevation of 7,710 feet (2,350 metres). One of the few major pre-Columbian ruins found nearly intact, Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Thus, Machu Picchu is not only an impressive remnant of the Inca civilization, it is also one of the world's most important archaeological sites. A stop at Machu Picchu is an essential part of any traveler's itinerary in Peru, as it is one of the seven wonders of the world.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours in Guatemala, The Best 2-Week Tours in Guatemala, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFlores $33Machu Picchu $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Flores is $33, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is $101. 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 Machu Picchu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFlores $8.62Machu Picchu $42
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFlores $17Machu Picchu $84
Compare Hotels in Flores and Machu Picchu
Looking for a hotel in Flores or Machu Picchu? 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 Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Flores $7.86Machu Picchu $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Flores
Also for Flores, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Round-Trip VIP Exclusive Transfer to Tikal from Flores: $137
- Tikal Transfer and Tour Guide From Flores: $60
- Transfer from Flores Guatemala to Caye Caulker Belize: $43
- Bus transfer from Flores, Guatemala to Belize City: $20
- Belize, Caye Caulke, San Pedro Van/ Ferry Transfer: $20
- Private transfer Mundo Maya Airport to Flores Island Hotels: $10
Is it cheaper to fly into Flores or Machu Picchu?
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu 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 $13Machu Picchu $19
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Flores $20Machu Picchu $74
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$3.22
Tours and Activities in Flores
For Flores, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Shared Guided Sunset Tour in Yaxhá from Flores: $25
- 2-Day Tour to Tikal and Yaxhá from Flores Island: $220
- Admire The Sunrise In Tikal - Private Tour From Flores: $214
- Awaken to Tikals' Sunrise Exclusive Tour: $199
- Basic Tour to Tikal Includes Transportation and Guide Service: $25
- Enjoy The Sunset On Top Of A Mayan Pyramid In Yaxha - Private Tour From Flores: $199
- 1-Day Tikal Tour Private Service From your Hotel: $185
- From Flores Guided Tour to Tikal with transportation + lunch: $75
- From 2-Day Tikal & Yaxhá Tour: $299
- From Blue Crater private day tour: $160
- From El Pucte Blue Crater Private Day Tour: $200
- From Exclusive Tikal Group Tour: $77
Typical Entertainment Prices in Machu Picchu
For Machu Picchu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Gardens of Mandor$2.71
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayFlores $21Machu Picchu $6.90
Typical Alcohol Prices in Flores
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Flores are as follows:
-
Two Margaritas$2.57
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Flores and Machu Picchu, we can see that Machu Picchu 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 Machu Picchu 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 Machu Picchu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Machu Picchu 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 Machu Picchu Expensive?.
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.