Which place is cheaper, Paracas 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 Paracas?
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 Paracas. 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 Paracas?
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.
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 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 PricesParacas Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLake Titicaca (Puno) $66Paracas $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Lake Titicaca (Puno) is $66, 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) and Paracas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLake Titicaca (Puno) $26Paracas $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLake Titicaca (Puno) $52Paracas $44
Compare Hotels in Lake Titicaca (Puno) and Paracas
Looking for a hotel in Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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: Lake Titicaca (Puno) Hotel Prices and Paracas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lake Titicaca (Puno) $11Paracas $19
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):
- Private Transfer From Puno to Arequipa with English Speaking Driver: $278
- Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay, English Speaking Driver: $221
- Private Transfer from Inca Manco Capac (JUL) Airport to Puno: $94
- 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 Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $40
- Puno Airport Shared Transfer: $20
- Puno Arrival Transfer from bus or railway Station: $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:
- Paracas Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
- Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
- Private Transfer From San Juan Airport (SJU) to /from San Juan: $44
- From Lima: Paracas and Huacachina Day Trip with Transfers: $89
- Lima: Private taxi transfer from Lima airport to Paracas: $129
- From Lima: Paracas and Huacachina Day Trip with Transfers: $139
- Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $213
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $213
Is it cheaper to fly into Lake Titicaca (Puno) or Paracas?
Prices for flights to both Paracas 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) $27Paracas $40
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lake Titicaca (Puno) $29Paracas $25
Tours and Activities in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
- Half-Day Tour to the Floating Islands of Uros: $14
- Half Day Tour Floating Islands of Uros Puno: $15
- Half Day Tour to Sillustani from Puno : $22
- Morning: Uros Floating Islands Tour from Puno: $25
- Lake Titicaca Uros Floating Islands Half-Day Tour: $25
- Sillustani Tours: $26
- Chullpas de Sillustani Inca Cemetery Tour by Tourist Bus: $26
- 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
- Half Day Tour to Chullpas de Sillustani From Puno: $35
- Tour to Uros and Taquile Islands in a Fast Boat: $37
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 dayLake Titicaca (Puno) $13Paracas $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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) and Paracas, we can see that Paracas 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 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 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 Paracas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lake Titicaca (Puno) or Paracas?
Lake Titicaca (Puno) has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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.