Which place is cheaper, Lima or Koh Samui?
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 Koh Samui or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Koh Samui or Lima? 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: Koh Samui or Lima?
Koh Samui
The largest island on the east coast of southern Thailand, Ko Samui (or Koh Samui) sees a good number of visitors every year who come for its lush rainforest, beautiful shores, and undersea wildlife. The size of the island is still small enough to allow visitors to circumnavigate it with a taxi or motorbike in a day, while hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can find plenty of inland activities in the hills and jungle.
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 Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Koh Samui Prices
Thailand PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samui $75Lima $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $75, 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 Koh Samui and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samui $25Lima $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samui $50Lima $108
Compare Hotels in Koh Samui and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samui 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: Koh Samui Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samui $18Lima $6.25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Koh Samui:
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Scooter Rental$2.24
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Gas for Scooter$1.19
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Airport Taxi$13
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Taxi- Na Thon Pier to Lamai Beach$13
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Minibus- Airport to Chaweng$3.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Samui
Also for Koh Samui, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Samui International Airport (USM) Departure Shared Transfer: $9.00
- Ferry Transfers between Koh Samui and Ko Pha-ngan: $15
- Private Transfer : Koh Samui Airport Arrival to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $15
- Private Koh Samui Airport Transfer with Meet & Greet: $17
- Koh Samui Airport to Hotel Transfer – Arrival & Departure: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Airport (USM) to Ko Samui Port: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui island hotels to Ko Samui Port: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Port to Ko Samui Island Hotels: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Airport (USM) to Ko Samui Port: $19
- Private Taxi Transfer from Samui Airport to Koh Samui Main Areas: $21
- Private Departure Transfer: From Hotel to Koh Samui Airport by Car: $21
- Ferry Transfers between Ko Pha-ngan and Koh Tao: $21
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:
- From Lima Private transfer to Paracas: $290
- Lima round trip transfers airport - hotel - airport + City Tour: $218
- Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Pisco Cruise Port: $216
- Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Pisco Port: $216
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $197
- Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer: $160
- Palomino Islands Excursion & Swimming with Sea Lions with Hotel Transfers: $125
- Airport Transfer Service in Lima: $95
- Private Largevan Transfer - Arrival Lima Airport to Hotel: $79
- Transfer by car from the airport to the hotel: $60
- Private Transfer from Lima to Jorge Chávez (LIM) Airport: $58
- Larco Museum Complete Guided Tour with Transfers (Small Group): $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samui or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Koh Samui 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 dayKoh Samui $37Lima $33
Typical Food Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Samui:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Samui
For Koh Samui, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $69
- Thai Cooking Class from Koh Samui with Local Market: $77
- Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise: $77
- Cooking Class by Samui Native Instructor Geng and O Family: $77
- Cooking Class in Koh Samui with Micro Organic Garden: $77
- Thai Cooking Class in Koh Samui with Market Tour: $77
- Cooking Class in Ko Samui for Small Group: $80
- Thai Cooking Class in Koh Samui: $87
- Sunset Dinner Cruise Koh Samui The Red Baron: $108
- Red Baron : A Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $111
- Romantic Evening on Koh Samui’s Sunset Dinner Cruise: $111
- Koh Samui Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise with Return Transfer (SHA Plus): $119
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 (Min. 3 Guests – Max. 6): $5.00
- 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
- 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
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $50
- Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $55
- Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
- Limeno Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samui $11Lima $9.44
Tours and Activities in Koh Samui
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.
- Coconut Soap Making Demo and Experience Koh Samui Class@13:30 pm.: $2.32
- Kanchanaburi Mallika City Thai Cultural Tour Experience: $7.76
- Sky Bicycle Jungle Adventure Tour from Koh Samui: $17
- Paris Follies Cabaret Evening Entertainment Ticket from Koh Samui: $18
- Create Your Own Crystal Aroma Oil Ritual Experience: $20
- Koh Samui Half Day Island Guided Tour: $23
- Koh Samui Chaweng Beach Nightlife Walking Tour: $24
- Top Sights of Samui City Tour: $24
- Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour by Minivan: $25
- Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour Around The Island: $26
- High Speed Karting Fun Adventure at EasyKart from Koh Samui: $28
- Scenic Half Day Island Highlights Tour in Koh Samui: $29
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
- 3 Day Tour From Paracas, Huacachina Oasis & Pisco Vineyard: $159
- 3 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $289
- 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
- 8-Hour Private Tour Lima Viceroyalty and Gold Museum with Lunch: $120
- A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samui $5.06Lima $6.14
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
- Lima Nightlife Tour & Society – Cultural Pub Crawl: $50
- From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samui and Lima, we can see that Lima is more expensive. And not only is Koh Samui much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Koh Samui 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 Koh Samui would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Samui 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 Koh Samui.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Samui Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui 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 Koh Samui or Lima?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Koh Samui or Lima in the Summer?
Both Lima and Koh Samui during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samui. Koh Samui usually gets more rain in July than Lima. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Koh Samui is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samui in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Lima averages at about 18°C (64°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Lima in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Lima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. Also, October to December is the rainy season in Koh Samui. Koh Samui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Lima. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Koh Samui is generally a little warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (75°F), and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samui 24°C (75°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Lima in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Lima. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Also, December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. Koh Samui usually gets more rain in January than Lima. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Koh Samui is around the same temperature as Lima in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 22°C (72°F) in January, and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samui 22°C (72°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Lima in the Spring?
Both Lima and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Lima. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Koh Samui is around the same temperature as Lima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samui in April average around 24°C (76°F), and Lima averages at about 22°C (72°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Koh Samui
| Koh Samui | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.