A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ilha Grande vs. Paracas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ilha Grande or Paracas?

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

Should I visit Ilha Grande or Paracas? 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: Ilha Grande or Paracas?

Ilha Grande

Ilha Grande is a large, beautiful, island located off the southeast coast of Brazil. The island has few inhabitants, resulting in mostly unadulterated beaches and landscapes. There are over a dozen trails and beaches to explore, some of which have been called the best beaches in Brazil. Due to the limited number of inhabitants, ATMs are sparse on the island, so be sure to have cash with you before getting there.

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 Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Paracas or Ilha Grande?

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

  • Ilha Grande Prices
    Brazil Prices
    Paracas Prices
    Peru Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Ilha Grande $80
    Paracas $84

The average daily cost (per person) in Ilha Grande is $80, while the average daily cost in Paracas is $84. 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 Ilha Grande and Paracas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ilha Grande $35
    Paracas $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ilha Grande $70
    Paracas $48
Compare Hotels in Ilha Grande and Paracas

Looking for a hotel in Ilha Grande 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.

Hotels in Ilha Grande


Hotels in Paracas


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: Paracas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ilha Grande $17
    Paracas $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ilha Grande

Also for Ilha Grande, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Angra dos Reis: Shared Transfer to Rio de Janeiro: $46
  • Private Transfer Angra dos Reis to Rio de Janeiro: $91
  • Private Transfer from Angra dos Reis to Airport GIG in Rio : $182
  • Private Transfer from GIG to anywhere in the City Angra dos Reis: $182
  • Regular Transfer Angra dos Reis x Rio de Janeiro and Airports: $36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:

  • Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $220
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $220
  • Private Transfer From San Juan Airport (SJU) to /from San Juan: $44
  • Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
  • Paracas Bus Station Private Transfer: $16

Is it cheaper to fly into Ilha Grande or Paracas?

Prices for flights to both Paracas and Ilha Grande 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
    Ilha Grande $35
    Paracas $42

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ilha Grande $6.36
    Paracas $26

Tours and Activities in Ilha Grande

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

  • Regular Schooner Ride - Ilha Grande Tour: $12
  • Speedboat Tour Paradise Lagoons of Ilha Grande: $13
  • Boat Tour To The Beaches Of Angra Dos Reis: $18
  • Ilha Grande - From Abrãao: Lopes Mendes beach tour & trekking: $25
  • Shared Speedboat Tour - Paradise Island Tour: $32
  • Tour Of The Motorboat The Paradisiac Islands Of Angra Dos Reis: $42
  • Half-Day Ilha Grande Schooner Tour: $42
  • Six hour speedboat tour of Ilha Grande. Be amazed by the Blue and Green Lagoons: $55
  • Schooner Cruise with Caipirinha drinks by the Blue Lagoon: $56
  • Ilha Grande - Private Historical Walking Tour with Natural Pool.: $60
  • Full-Day Ilha Grande Northern Coast Speedboat Tour: $63
  • From Ilha Grande - Paradise Island 7 h - Speedboat tour: $65

Tours and Activities in Paracas

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

  • 2-Hour Ballestas Islands Tour by modern boat: $20
  • 2-Hour Tour to the Ballestas Islands from Puerto San Martín: $49
  • 3-Day Classic Paracas Tour Package: $245
  • 4-Hour Guided Tour Paracas National Reserve: $20
  • 7-Hours Tour in Paracas National Reserve with Pickup: $38
  • ATV Tour Adventure in Reserva Nacional de Paracas: $35
  • Adventure in the Paracas National Reserve in private: $30
  • BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $16
  • Ballestas & Paracas Reserve from PISCO CRUISESHIP TERMINAL: $100
  • Ballestas & Tambo Colorado from PISCO CRUISESHIP TERMINAL: $110
  • Ballestas Islands & Tambo Colorado from PISCO CRUISESHIP TERMINAL: $110
  • Ballestas Islands Boat Tour for Pisco Cruise Travelers: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ilha Grande $10
    Paracas $12


When comparing the travel costs between Ilha Grande and Paracas, we can see that Paracas 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. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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