Which place is cheaper, Lima or Kingston?
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 Kingston or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Lima, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Kingston or Lima?
Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $123Lima $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in Lima is $95. 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 Kingston and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $62Lima $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $124Lima $104
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Kingston 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: Kingston Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $28Lima $6.06
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston: $19
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $24
- Private Transfer from Kingston's Airport: $32
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
- Kingston Airport Transfers Private Taxi Service***: $37
- Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
- Kingston Norman Manley Airport (KIN) to Kingston - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kingston International Airport to Hotel: $53
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay: $69
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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Short Taxi Ride$4.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Assistance - Transfer Cusco Airport to Hotel & Viceversa: $40
- Deluxe Car Lima Transfer - Private Service: $29
- Direct Private Transfer From Lima to Paracas, English Speaking Driver: $269
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival Private Transfer : $22
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $43
- LIMA AIRPORT SHUTTLE - Shared Transfer: $13
- Larco Museum Complete Guided Tour with Transfers (Small Group): $55
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores city - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Lima Airport Arrival Transfer: $25
- Lima Airport Transfers by SUV/Van: $43
- Lima Bus Station Arrival Transfer: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Kingston 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 dayKingston $44Lima $32
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.59
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Ice cream$3.73
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Coffee$3.15
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Donut$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken: $32
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $40
- Lima Food Tour - Prepare your Anticuchos and Pisco Sour : $48
- #1 Reviewed Lima Cooking Class: $49
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $55
- Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
- Peru’s Most Beloved Recipes Cooking Class: $58
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- Lima Night: Cooking Experience with locals: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting: $65
- Vegan Peruvian Food Cooking Class | Ceviche + Pisco Sour: $69
- 4 iconic restaurants of Lima / 3-hour guided food tour: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Lima $9.15
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Art Walk Sunday Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $9.78
- Walking Tour with Mural Exploration: $26
- Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
- Kingston Creative: Mural Art Walking Tour: $31
- Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
- Mural Tours in the Downtown Kingston Art District, Jamaica: $40
- Reggae Legend - Bob Marley Museum Tour Tickets: $41
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $62
- Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
- Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
- Private Bob Marley Tour Experience: $65
- Kingston City Guided Tour - Classic: $69
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$2.44
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Lima City Tour with Baby Alpaca Class and Pisco Tasting: $16
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $18
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
- Private Bike Tour in Lima: $19
- Bike Tour Lima: $19
- Water Magic Circuit Lima Night Tour by Panoramic Bus: $20
- Tour in Lima with Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco: $20
- Bohemian and artistic ravine walking tour: $22
- Lima Half-Day City Walking Tour (Small Groups): $24
- Pisco Sour experience with mini causitas at República del Pisco: $25
- Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Lima $5.95
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$7.71
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Beer$4.30
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Cocktail$3.44
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $19
- Bar Crawl Night Tour in Miraflores: $30
- Local Wine Tour : $55
- From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
- Full Day Paracas, Huacachina and Wine Tasting from Lima : $138
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Lima, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston is in Caribbean Islands 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 Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Kingston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kingston than you might in Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kingston Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Kingston. When comparing the sizes of Kingston 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.
When is the best time to visit Kingston or Lima?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Kingston or Lima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Lima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Kingston usually receives more rain than Lima. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Kingston is much warmer than Lima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Lima averages at about 18°C (64°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Lima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Lima. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Kingston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Lima. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the autumn, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Lima. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.
In October, Kingston is generally a little warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Lima in the Winter?
Both Lima and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Kingston usually receives more rain than Lima. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Lima during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
Kingston is a little warmer than Lima in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Lima in the Spring?
Both Lima and Kingston during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
Kingston usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the spring, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Lima. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Kingston is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Lima averages at about 22°C (72°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Kingston
| Kingston | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
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.