Which place is cheaper, Lima or Ho Chi Minh City?
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 Ho Chi Minh City or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Ho Chi Minh City and Lima can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Ho Chi Minh City or Lima?
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam. It previously served as the capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The metropolitan area, including Ho Chi Minh City, Thu Dau Mot, Di An, Bien Hoa, and other surrounding towns, has a population of more than 9 million people and continues to grow.
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 Historical Tours in Vietnam, The Best 10-Day Tours in Vietnam, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Ho Chi Minh City Prices
Vietnam PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHo Chi Minh City $87Lima $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Ho Chi Minh City is $87, while the average daily cost in Lima is $98. 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 Ho Chi Minh City and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHo Chi Minh City $48Lima $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHo Chi Minh City $96Lima $108
Compare Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City 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: Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ho Chi Minh City $15Lima $6.25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ho Chi Minh City:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.33
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Taxi From Airport$7.60
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Cyclo Ride (One Hour)$1.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City
Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mui Ne Beach: Bus transfer from/to Saigon City: $8.00
- Ho Chi Minh: SGN Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $8.85
- Ho Chi Minh City airport transfer: $13
- Ho Chi Minh Airport: Private Transfer: $14
- Transfer from Ho Chi Minh to Phan Thiet or Mui Ne, Japan Quality: $14
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cam Ranh HTL-APT (CXR): $14
- Ho Chi Minh Airport Arrival Or Departure By Private Car Transfers: $15
- Comfort Van Transfer From Phong Nha or Dong Hoi to Hue: $15
- Private Departure Transfer: Ho Chi Minh City Hotels to Tan Son Nhat Airport: $15
- Ho Chi Minh Airport Arrival Or Departure Private Car Transfers: $15
- Ho Chi Minh Airport (SGN) to Ho Chi Minh hotels Arrival Transfer: $16
- Ho Chi Minh to Ho Chi Minh City Airport (SGN) Departure Transfer: $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.92
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Taxi Ride$5.92
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Short Taxi Ride$4.44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Pisco Cruise Port: $216
- Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Pisco Port: $198
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $198
- Lima Airport Arrival Transfer for small groups: $189
- Transfer from Lima Airport to your hotel and vice versa: $175
- 3-Day Trip to Lima, hotels & transfers: $165
- Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer: $160
- Palomino Islands Excursion & Swimming with Sea Lions with Hotel Transfers: $125
- Enjoy a Football Game in Lima with local guide and Transfers: $99
- Private Largevan Transfer - Arrival Lima Airport to Hotel: $79
- Transfer by car from the airport to the hotel: $60
- Transfer in Private Van from the Airport to Hotels in Lima: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Ho Chi Minh City or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Ho Chi Minh City 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 dayHo Chi Minh City $23Lima $33
Typical Food Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ho Chi Minh City:
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Street Food Dinner (for Two)$4.07
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Pizza$4.94
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Sweet Rice$1.14
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Pork Sandwich$0.57
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.45
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Western Lunch (for Two)$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour with Local LGBT Student Guide: $1.88
- Water Puppet Show And Dinner Cruise On Saigon River Private Tour: $1.88
- Mekong With Cai Be Less Tourist - Cooking Class: $14
- Saigon Food Tour & Culture Explore Ho Chi Minh City Walking Tour: $15
- 1 hour Egg Coffee Cooking Class with Snack and Local Instructor: $15
- Mekong Delta 4 Islands, TukTuk, Boat, Try Khot Cake Local Cooking: $16
- HCM:Mekong Delta Boat,Khotcake cooking Coconut Village,SmallGroup: $16
- Saigon Sightseeing & Street Food Tour By scooter with Student: $20
- Cu Chi Tunnels & Countryside Cooking Class with Organic Farm: $20
- Ho Chi Minh city Walking Chinatown / HCM city walking food tour: $25
- Saigon Walking Food Tour & Hidden Alleys with Locals: $26
- Ho Chi Minh Street Food Tour and Vietnamese Coffee: $27
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.74
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Ice cream$3.85
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Coffee$3.26
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Donut$1.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Food Tours on the Forbidden Side of Lima with Elite DRONE FOOTAGE: $2.50
- Local Food Tour at an Iconic Market!!: $24
- Private Churros Cooking Class, Miraflores & Hotel Pickup: $43
- Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
- Miraflores Cooking Class Ceviche, Tartar & Pisco Sour: $45
- Dinner with Folkloric Show at Casa Tambo Restaurant: $46
- #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $49
- Lima Street Food Tour : Try the best Peruvian street food: $49
- Lima Food Tour & Market Experience: 13 Peruvian Bites: $50
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $50
- Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $55
- Limeno Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ho Chi Minh City $19Lima $9.44
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Massage$5.32
Tours and Activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.
- Highlights & Hidden Gems - Free Walking Tour: $0.64
- Hidden Bunker & Vietnam War - Ho Chi Minh City Free Walking Tour: $0.64
- Ghosts & Legends of Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City Night Walking Tour: $0.64
- Gangster Island: Saigon Street Food, Seafood & Hidden Alleys Tour: $0.64
- Hidden Jungle War Experience – The Untold Side of Saigon: $1.80
- Ho Chi Minh City private walking tours with young local volunteers: $1.81
- Cat Tien National Park Adventure Biking Hiking Nature Day Tour: $1.88
- Ho Chi Minh City Private City Tour with Highlights Hidden Gems: $1.88
- Phu My Port: Ho Chi Minh City Shore Excursion Tour With Massage: $1.88
- 2-Day Mekong Delta Tour: Can Tho Floating Market, Flower Village: $1.88
- Ho Chi Minh City Highlights Hidden Gems Tour By Heritage Vespa: $1.88
- 3-Day Phu Quy And Mui Ne Adventure: Beaches, Dunes, Island Life: $1.88
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)$18
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Movie Tickets$2.52
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- 1 Day Tour to Huacachina from Lima (Dunebuggy + Vineyards): $225
- 1 day tour in Ica Peru: $200
- 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $265
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $134
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Huacachina, Tunnels & Vineyard: $134
- 2D Tour from Lima Paracas and Huacachina with Night in Huacachina: $230
- 3 Day Tour From Paracas, Huacachina Oasis & Pisco Vineyard: $159
- 3 Days Tour of Paracas Huacachina and Nazca: $275
- 3 Hour Private Electric Scooter Tour of Lima: $75
- 3 Hours Walking Tour of Lima Old Town and Catacumbs: $59
- 3-Day Tour Discover Paracas and Huacachina from Lima: $260
- 4 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $299
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHo Chi Minh City $7.60Lima $6.14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Ho Chi Minh City:
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Beer$0.38
Sample the Local Flavors in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Make Your Own Gin Experience and Saigon Baigur Distillery Tour: $29
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$7.96
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Beer$4.44
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Cocktail$3.55
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
- Discover Barranco's Nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
- Discover Miraflores nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $24
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $24
- Lima Nightlife Tour & Society – Cultural Pub Crawl: $50
When comparing the travel costs between Ho Chi Minh City and Lima, we can see that Lima is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Ho Chi Minh City is in Asia and Lima is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ho Chi Minh City Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ho Chi Minh City or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ho Chi Minh City. When comparing the sizes of Ho Chi Minh City and Lima, 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.