A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Goa vs. Arequipa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Goa or Arequipa?

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

Should I visit Goa or Arequipa? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Goa or Arequipa?

Goa

Goa is a small but important state located on the west coast of India known as a popular beach resort and vacation area.

A large Portuguese influence can be found in Goa in the form of architecture as well as the cuisine, as it was formerly a Portuguese colony. Because of Goa's Portuguese history, there is a distribution of religion among the people, making it quite different than other states in India. About sixty-five percent of the population is Hindu, while about twenty-four percent is Catholic. Goa is one of the most peaceful states in India, with a very low crime rate. The best time to visit Goa is between November and February, as this is when the weather is most comfortable.

This is a popular tourist destination both for the Indian population as well as for tourists from around the world. The warm climate, beautiful beaches, friendly people, fun activities, and cultural diversity make it a popular destination for many types of travelers.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai, The Best 2-Week Tours from New Delhi, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Goa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Goa is $36, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $60. 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 Goa and Arequipa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Goa $15
    Arequipa $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Goa $30
    Arequipa $48
Compare Hotels in Goa and Arequipa

Looking for a hotel in Goa 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.

Hotels in Goa


Hotels in Arequipa


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: Arequipa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Goa $5.02
    Arequipa $6.36

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.43
  • Bus Ride
    $0.46
  • Taxi Ride
    $1.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:

  • Transfer Between Arequipa's Airport and Hotels: $35
  • Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport : $38
  • Private Transfer from Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport to Hotel: $20
  • Koh lanta any hotel to Phuket airport Private transfer: $172
  • Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $81
  • Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
  • Full Day Tour Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $112
  • Colca Canyon Sightseeing Tour 2D1N and Transfer to Puno: $147
  • Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
  • Colca Canyon 2-Day Tour with Lodge Stay and Transfer to Puno: $283
  • Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
  • Arequipa Bus Station Arrival Transfer : $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Goa or Arequipa?

Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Goa 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
    Goa $15
    Arequipa $25

Typical Food Prices in Arequipa

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:


  • Coke
    $0.43
  • Lunch
    $3.01
  • Ice Cream
    $1.15
  • Fruit
    $0.86
  • Ice Cream
    $1.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa

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

  • Cooking Class at La Plantation: $35
  • Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
  • Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
  • Peruvian Cooking Class: $53
  • Private Cooking Class in Arequipa: $57
  • Food Tour Gastronomic Guided : $113

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Goa $11
    Arequipa $19

Tours and Activities in Goa

For Goa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Agra: Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Skip-the-Line Tour-All Inclusive: $6.76
  • Agra: Private Taj Mahal and Agra Local City Tour By Tuk-Tuk: $27
  • Kerala:- 04 Days, Munnar, Periyar, Kumarakom & Boat Cruise: $514

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
    $2.87
  • Salsa Class
    $2.87
  • Movie Ticket
    $3.13
  • Hot Springs
    $2.87

Tours and Activities in Arequipa

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

  • Colca Full Day Tour: $51
  • Walking tour history, legends & mysteries : $28
  • 2 Day - Colca Canyon and Condor Tour from Arequipa, Peru - Group Service : $295
  • 2 Days of Natural Experience in the Colca Canyon: $140
  • 2 days 1 night Colca Canyon tour from Arequipa: $110
  • 2-Day Group Tour to Colca Canyon from Arequipa: $230
  • 2-Day Hiking Tour to the Colca Canyon: $90
  • 2-Day Tour to the Magical Colca Canyon: $68
  • 2-Day tour Colca Canyon ending in Puno: $95
  • 3 Hour Congata Rover Biking Ride Tour in Arequipa: $45
  • 3-hour guided tour in Arequipa: $65
  • 8-Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas with Pick-up: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Goa $12
    Arequipa $17

Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:


  • Beer
    $2.58


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Goa and Arequipa, we can see that Arequipa is more expensive. And not only is Goa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Goa is in Asia 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 Goa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Goa 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 Goa.

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


Which has a larger population, Goa or Arequipa?

Goa has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Arequipa. When comparing the sizes of Goa 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.