Which place is cheaper, Lima or Halong Bay?
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 Halong Bay or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Halong Bay and Lima 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: Halong Bay or Lima?
Halong Bay
Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the north of Vietnam, near the Chinese border. Known for its thousands of beautiful limestone karsts and stalactite-filled caves, it is one of the most visited destinations in Vietnam. If you appreciate natural scenery and want an adventure at sea, you'll love cruising among more than 1,900 islands in Ha Long Bay.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Halong Bay Prices
Vietnam PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHalong Bay $67Lima $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Halong Bay is $67, while the average daily cost in Lima is $96. 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 Halong Bay and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHalong Bay $27Lima $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHalong Bay $54Lima $104
Compare Hotels in Halong Bay and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Halong Bay or Lima? 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: Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Halong Bay $14Lima $6.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halong Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Halong Bay:
- Ha Long Bay Day Cruise with Transfers from Ha Long City: $5.00
- Bus Transfer From Cat Ba Island To Ninh Binh/Ninh binh To Cat Ba: $19
- Transfer Ha Long and Ninh Binh by Limousine Bus: $23
- From Hanoi with Expessway Transfer to Halong Bay 1 Day Trip: $42
- Halong Bay Full Day Cruise from Hanoi by Transfer Expressway: $42
- Full-Day Halong Bay Islands and Cave Tour by Transfer Expressway: $48
- Halong Bay Full Day With Cave, Kayaking,Swimming,Highway Transfer: $49
- Alova Premium Cruise to Halong Bay 1 Day Trip by Highway Transfer: $50
- Private Transfer from Tuan Chau to Haiphong (HPH) Airport: $54
- Private Transfer from Ha Long to Haiphong (HPH) Airport: $54
- Private Transfer from Halong Bay Port to Haiphong Airport (HPH): $61
- Amethyst Luxury 5 Star Cruise From Halong Bay with Transfer: $68
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.78
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Taxi Ride$5.78
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Short Taxi Ride$4.34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- From Lima Private transfer to Paracas: $290
- Lima Airport Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- Lima Airport Arrival Transfer: $23
- Lima Airport Transfer to Hotel Deluxe Car English Driver: $50
- Lima Airport Transfers: Lima City to Jorge Chavez Airport LIM in Standard Van: $56
- Lima Hotels to Lima Airport (LIM)- Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Lima airport transfers: $27
- Lima to Huacachina Private Transfer with 2 Stops: $252
- LIM Airport Private Transfer to/from Lima Center/Barranco: $13
- Palomino Islands Excursion & Swimming with Sea Lions with Hotel Transfers: $125
- Premium Peruvian Horse Show with Lunch & Transfers: $159
- Private Airport Transfer Service – Arrival or Departure: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Halong Bay or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Halong Bay 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 dayHalong Bay $27Lima $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halong Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Halong Bay.
- Halong Bay Luxury Dinner Cruise - Ambassador: $37
- Sunset and Bioluminescent Kayaking Tour in Lan Ha Bay with Dinner: $37
- Luxury Ha Long Bay Yacht Dinner Cruise & Spectacular Views: $71
- Best 2D1N Lan Ha Bay Cruise: BBQ dinner, Viet Hai Ancient Village: $210
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.63
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Ice cream$3.76
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Coffee$3.18
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Donut$1.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $44
- Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
- Dinner with Folkloric Show at Casa Tambo Restaurant: $46
- Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken: $55
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $55
- #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $59
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $67
- Peruvian Food Tour Through Local Markets: $69
- Peruvian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting: $72
- Authentic 4-dish Peruvian Food Cooking Class in Lima + Pisco Sour: $75
- Peru Culinary Identity: 10+ Tastes with Sherpa Food Tours: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Halong Bay $16Lima $9.23
Tours and Activities in Halong Bay
Here are a few actual costs in Halong Bay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self Guided Podcast Tour Ha Long The Black Gold of Hon Gai: $5.49
- From Cat Ba: Small Group, Lan Ha, Ha Long Bay- Kayaking Tours: $19
- Shared 6 Hours boat Tour With Cave Kayak Beach From Halong City: $20
- Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - best selling: Kayaking, Swimming, hiking & Lunch: $23
- Cat Ba Kayak Tour in Mangrove Forests and Explore Thien Long Cave: $24
- Sky Tour - Entertainment: $25
- Lan Ha Bay Cruise Day Tour : Kayaking, Swimming, Hiking & Lunch: $25
- Hanoi: Ha Long Bay Day Cruise with Lunch, Cave & Kayaking: $26
- The Best 5 Star Halong Bay Cruise with Buffet,pool, Sunset Party: $26
- Majestic Sunset Boat Tour Explore Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba Island: $26
- Cat Ba: Majestic Sunset Boat Tour Explore the Stunning Lan Ha Bay: $26
- From Ha Noi/Cat Ba: Full-Day Cruise to Lan Ha bay - Ha Long Bay: $26
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$17
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Movie Tickets$2.46
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Barranco Walking Tour with Sunset Option: $5.00
- Lima Cathedral Museum Entrance Ticket: $10
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Miraflores Guided Walking Tour and Surquillo Market Experience: $15
- Tour in Lima with Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco: $20
- A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20
- Water Magic Circuit Lima Night Tour by Panoramic Bus: $25
- Skip the Line: Peruvian Regional Dances Ticket: $29
- Lima Bike Tour Miraflores Pyramid & Bohemian Barranco: $34
- Lima City Tour with Catacombs and Pickup: $35
- Barranco Bike Tour: From Pyramids to Bohemian Streets: $35
- From Lima Magic Water Circuit Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHalong Bay $12Lima $6.00
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.78
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Beer$4.34
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Cocktail$3.47
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $22
- Barranco Bohemian Bar Crawl: 4 Bars & Live Music: $24
- Lima Anti Pub Crawl: $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Halong Bay and Lima, we can see that Lima is more expensive. And not only is Halong Bay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Halong Bay is in Asia and Lima 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 Halong Bay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halong Bay 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 Lima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lima than you might in Halong Bay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Halong Bay Expensive? and Is Lima 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.