Which place is cheaper, Lima or Leon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Leon and Lima 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.
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.
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 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Leon is $59, while the average daily cost in Lima is $77. 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 Lima in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Leon 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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
Prices for flights to both Lima 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leon.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leon and Lima, we can see that Lima is more expensive. And not only is Leon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Leon is in Central America 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 Leon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leon 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 Leon.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leon Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Lima has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Leon. When comparing the sizes of Leon 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Leon and Lima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Leon year-round. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Leon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Leon usually receives more rain than Lima. Leon gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Leon usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Leon gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.
Leon is much warmer than Lima in the summer. The daily temperature in Leon averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
The autumn brings many poeple to Leon as well as Lima. Leon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Leon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Leon usually gets more rain in October than Lima. Leon gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Leon often gets more sunshine than Lima. Leon gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Leon is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Leon in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Lima averages at about 19°C (66°F).
Both Lima and Leon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Leon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lima. Leon gets 4 mm (0.2 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 Leon. Leon usually receives more sunshine than Lima during winter. Leon gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Leon is generally a little warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Leon average around 26°C (79°F), and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Both Lima and Leon during the spring 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 Lima year-round.
Leon usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Leon gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Leon. In the spring, Leon often gets more sunshine than Lima. Leon gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.
Leon is a little warmer than Lima in the spring. The daily temperature in Leon averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
Leon | Lima | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |