Which place is cheaper, Huaraz or Leon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leon or Huaraz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Leon and Huaraz can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Leon or Huaraz?
Leon
Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.
With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.
Huaraz
Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeon $59Huaraz $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Leon is $59, while the average daily cost in Huaraz is $50. 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 Leon and Huaraz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeon $16Huaraz $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeon $32Huaraz $40
Compare Hotels in Leon and Huaraz
Looking for a hotel in Leon or Huaraz? 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: Huaraz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leon $1.51Huaraz $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huaraz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$2.17
Is it cheaper to fly into Leon or Huaraz?
Prices for flights to both Huaraz and Leon 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 dayLeon $12Huaraz $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leon.
- Tlakualli Food Tour: $19
Typical Food Prices in Huaraz
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Huaraz:
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Lunch$5.97
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Chips$1.49
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leon $5.81Huaraz $19
Tours and Activities in Leon
Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half Day Private Tour of Cerro Negro's Volcano Boarding: $35
- Leon City Walking Private Tour : $48
- Rum Tour & Chorotega Museum Experience: $62
- Hike El Hoyo Volcano "Private Tour" : $67
- Old Leon and Asososca Lagoon Private Tour: $82
- Volcano Boarding Private Tour : $84
- Kayak Private tour at Juan Venado Island: $92
- Telica Sunset Tour : $93
- Horseback Riding Private Tour : $103
- Half-Day Leon City Tour: $135
- Somoto Canyon "Private Tour from Leon" : $154
- 6 Hours Sunset Private Guided Tour of Telica Volcano in León: $163
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huaraz
Here are a few typical costs in Huaraz for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Climbing Gear$17
Tours and Activities in Huaraz
Here are a few actual costs in Huaraz for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Traditional Picante de Cuy Gastronomy Tour in Huaraz: $15
- 69 Lake Tour of Peru: $26
- Glacier Pastoruri and Puya Raimondi Full Day Tour: $28
- Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $30
- From Huaraz || Full day tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca: $36
- From Tour to Llanganuco Lakes (Chinancocha Lake): $37
- From Tour to Archeological Complex of Chavin: $38
- Ancash: Nevado pastors and puyas Raymondi Tour | Full Day |: $40
- Lake 69 Full-Day Hiking Tour from Huaraz: $40
- From Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $46
- From Chavín de Huantar fullday tour: $56
- From Llanganuco Lagoon fullday tour: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeon $3.53Huaraz $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leon and Huaraz, we can see that Leon is more expensive. And not only is Huaraz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Leon is in Central America and Huaraz 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 Huaraz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huaraz 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 Leon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Leon than you might in Huaraz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leon Expensive? and Is Huaraz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leon or Huaraz?
Leon has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Huaraz. When comparing the sizes of Leon and Huaraz, 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 Leon or Huaraz?
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 Leon or Huaraz in the Summer?
Both Huaraz and Leon are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Huaraz because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Leon. In July, Leon usually receives more rain than Huaraz. Leon gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Huaraz can be very cold during summer. Leon is much warmer than Huaraz in the summer. The daily temperature in Leon averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Huaraz fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeon 27°C (81°F)Huaraz 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Leon or Huaraz in the Autumn?
Both Huaraz and Leon during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Leon because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Huaraz year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Leon. Leon usually gets more rain in October than Huaraz. Leon gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The weather in Huaraz can be very cold. In the autumn, Leon is much warmer than Huaraz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Leon in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Huaraz averages at about 4°C (39°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeon 27°C (81°F)Huaraz 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Leon or Huaraz in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Leon and Huaraz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Leon year-round. Huaraz attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Huaraz receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Leon usually receives less rain than Huaraz. Leon gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Leon is generally much warmer than Huaraz. Daily temperatures in Leon average around 26°C (79°F), and Huaraz fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeon 26°C (79°F)Huaraz 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Leon or Huaraz in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Leon as well as Huaraz. Leon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Huaraz throughout the year.
Leon usually gets less rain in April than Huaraz. Leon gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Leon is much warmer than Huaraz in the spring. The daily temperature in Leon averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Huaraz fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeon 29°C (84°F)Huaraz 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Huaraz and Leon
| Leon | Huaraz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 112 mm (4.4 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.