Which place is cheaper, Lima or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lake Titicaca (Puno) and Lima. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Lake Titicaca (Puno) or Lima?
Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Lake Titicaca, which directly translates to "puma stone" in Quechua, is located high in the Andes Mountains straddling Peru and Bolivia, with about 60% of the lake in Peru and 40% in Bolivia. Among the lake are three main islands, the most popular of which are the Uros Islands, also known as the floating islands, where the Uros people live on totora reeds that grow in the lake.
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 Photography Tours in Peru, The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Peru, The Best Luxury Tours to Peru, and The Best Budget Tours to Peru.
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Lake Titicaca (Puno) Prices
Peru PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLake Titicaca (Puno) $66Lima $90
The average daily cost (per person) in Lake Titicaca (Puno) is $66, while the average daily cost in Lima is $90. 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLake Titicaca (Puno) $26Lima $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLake Titicaca (Puno) $52Lima $98
Compare Hotels in Lake Titicaca (Puno) and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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: Lake Titicaca (Puno) Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lake Titicaca (Puno) $11Lima $5.73
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
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Taxi$0.81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
- Puno Arrival Transfer from bus or railway Station: $14
- Puno Airport Shared Transfer: $20
- Private Transfer from Hotel Puno to Puerto de Puno: $22
- Private Transfer from Puerto de Puno to Hotel Puno: $22
- Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno Plaza de Armas: $40
- Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno and Viceversa: $43
- Private transfer airport-puno-viceverse: $60
- Private Transfer from Inca Manco Capac (JUL) Airport to Puno: $95
- Private Transfer from Puno to Desaguadero: $208
- Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay, English Speaking Driver: $224
- Private Transfer From Puno to Arequipa with English Speaking Driver: $282
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Short Taxi Ride$4.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores: $5.50
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.50
- Lima Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Miraflores: $5.90
- Lima Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Lima city center: $7.04
- LIM Airport to Lima City or Hotels Private Transfer: $9.00
- LIMA AIRPORT SHUTTLE - Shared Transfer: $13
- Transfer: Lima City Center to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) : $14
- Private Transfer from Callao Cruise Port to Lima City hotels: $16
- Private transfers from Lima Airport or to Lima Airport: $17
- Private Transfer from Callao Cruise Port to Lima Hotels: $17
- Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Callao Port: $17
- Private Transfer from Callao Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Lake Titicaca (Puno) or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 dayLake Titicaca (Puno) $27Lima $31
Typical Food Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
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Tamales$1.49
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.34
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Ice cream$3.53
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Coffee$2.99
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Donut$0.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Dinner at Café del Museo Larco restaurant: $28
- Miraflores: Amazing Peruvian Cooking Class Ceviche Seafood and Pisco Sour: $40
- Peruvian Food Tour Through Local Markets: $40
- Dinner with Folkloric Show at Casa Tambo Restaurant: $44
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $44
- Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $49
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $55
- Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
- Food History & Local Markets (Food Tour): $56
- Lima's #1 Reviewed Cooking Class: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lake Titicaca (Puno) $29Lima $8.66
Tours and Activities in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
- 3-Hour Uros Floating Islands Tour from Puno: $11
- Half-Day Tour to the Floating Islands of Uros: $14
- Half Day Tour to Sillustani from Puno : $22
- Lake Titicaca Uros Floating Islands Half-Day Tour: $25
- Morning: Uros Floating Islands Tour from Puno: $25
- Sillustani Tombs Half Day Tour from Puno: $28
- Uros and Taquile Islands From Puno Full Day Tour with Lunch: $30
- Tour Uros and Taquile Islands in Speedboat (full day): $31
- Puno City Tour and Carlos Dreyer Museum: $31
- Half Day Tour to Chullpas de Sillustani From Puno: $35
- Tour to Uros and Taquile Islands in a Fast Boat: $37
- 3h Boat Tour to Uros Island from Puno: $40
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)$16
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Movie Tickets$2.31
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Tour a pie con Guía Local por el Centro Histórico: $2.00
- Lima's Historic Center with Free Walking Tour: $5.00
- Walking Tour Lima Historic Center (small group): $10
- bike tour: $12
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- GABRIEL | Peruvian Coffee Tasting Experience in Lima: $15
- Private Beach Guided Bike Tour in Lima : $19
- Party tour Fridays Barranco / Saturdays Miraflores: $19
- Lima Half-Day City Walking Tour (Small Groups): $20
- Guided and Private Bike Tour of Lima: $20
- City Tour Lima / Catacombs: $21
- Colorful Barranco Tour and Street Art: $23
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLake Titicaca (Puno) $13Lima $5.63
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$7.30
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Beer$4.07
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Cocktail$3.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $18
- Discover Miraflores nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $18
- Discover Miraflores Nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $19
- Local Wine Tour: $58
- Local Wine Tour : $59
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $100
- From Huacachina Sandboarding and Wine Tasting Day Trip: $105
- From Huacachina Sandboarding and Wine Tasting Day Trip: $114
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lake Titicaca (Puno) and Lima, we can see that Lima is more expensive. And not only is Lake Titicaca (Puno) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lake Titicaca (Puno) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno).
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lake Titicaca (Puno) Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lake Titicaca (Puno) or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Lake Titicaca (Puno). When comparing the sizes of Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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.