Which place is cheaper, Paracas or Huaraz?
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 Huaraz or Paracas?
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 Huaraz and Paracas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Huaraz or Paracas?
Huaraz
Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.
Paracas
Paracas, also known as El Chaco, is a resort town on the Southern coast of the country, about 150 miles south of Lima. The town in located in one of the oldest regions of Peru, with a history dating back to 900 BC and offers many pre-Inca cultural sites throughout the area. Paracas is possibly best known for being home to the Paracas National Reserve, a nature reserve boasting one of the most abundant and diverse ecosystems in the world.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Peru, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Peru.
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Huaraz Prices
Peru PricesParacas Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHuaraz $63Paracas $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Huaraz is $63, while the average daily cost in Paracas is $80. 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 Huaraz and Paracas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHuaraz $20Paracas $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHuaraz $40Paracas $44
Compare Hotels in Huaraz and Paracas
Looking for a hotel in Huaraz or Paracas? 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: Huaraz Hotel Prices and Paracas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Huaraz $10Paracas $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huaraz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$2.17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:
- From Lima: Paracas and Huacachina Day Trip with Transfers: $89
- From Lima: Paracas and Huacachina Day Trip with Transfers: $139
- Lima: Private taxi transfer from Lima airport to Paracas: $129
- Paracas Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
- Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
- Private Transfer From San Juan Airport (SJU) to /from San Juan: $44
- Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $214
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $214
Is it cheaper to fly into Huaraz or Paracas?
Prices for flights to both Paracas and Huaraz 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 dayHuaraz $30Paracas $40
Typical Food Prices in Huaraz
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Huaraz:
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Lunch$5.97
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Chips$1.49
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Huaraz $19Paracas $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huaraz
Here are a few typical costs in Huaraz for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Climbing Gear$17
Tours and Activities in Huaraz
Here are a few actual costs in Huaraz for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Traditional Picante de Cuy Gastronomy Tour in Huaraz: $15
- 69 Lake Tour of Peru: $26
- Pastoruri Glacier | Nevado Snowy Full Day Tour: $29
- Pastoruri Glacier - Day Tour - Ice and Adventure: $29
- Glacier Pastoruri and Puya Raimondi Full Day Tour: $30
- From Tour to Llanganuco Lakes (Chinancocha Lake): $32
- From Tour to the Pastoruri Glacier and Puya Raimondi: $32
- From Tour to Archeological Complex of Chavin: $34
- Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $35
- Tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca |Full day|: $36
- Lagoon 69 Adventure: Not to be missed excursion from Huaraz: $36
- From Huaraz || Full day tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca: $36
Tours and Activities in Paracas
Here are a few actual costs in Paracas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Paracas Desert Bike Adventure: $15
- Ballestas Islands and Candelabra Boat Tour: $15
- BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $16
- speedboat BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $17
- From Paracas National Reserve Tours: $17
- From Ballestas Islands tour all Inclusive: $17
- From Ballestas Islands Guided Boat Tour: $18
- Ballestas Islands tour all Inclusive: $18
- Tours to Ballestas Islands by Speed Boat: $19
- Tour to the Ballestas Islands: $20
- Ballestas Islands Guided Boat Tour: $20
- From Scenic Boat Tour to Ballestas Island: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHuaraz $15Paracas $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Paracas
Also in Paracas, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- From Lima: Ballestas Islands, Huacachina, and Wine Tour: $75
- From Lima: Ballestas Islands, Huacachina, and Wine Tour: $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Huaraz and Paracas, we can see that Paracas is more expensive. And not only is Huaraz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Huaraz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huaraz 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 Paracas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paracas than you might in Huaraz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Huaraz Expensive? and Is Paracas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Huaraz or Paracas?
Huaraz has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of Huaraz and Paracas, 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.