Which place is cheaper, Huaraz or Liberia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Liberia or Huaraz?
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 Liberia and Huaraz. 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: Liberia or Huaraz?
Liberia
Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.
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 Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica, 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 dayLiberia $112Huaraz $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Liberia is $112, 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 Liberia and Huaraz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLiberia $60Huaraz $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLiberia $120Huaraz $40
Compare Hotels in Liberia and Huaraz
Looking for a hotel in Liberia 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: Liberia Hotel Prices and Huaraz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Liberia $43Huaraz $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Bike Rental$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:
- Airport transfer Liberia from and to Tamarindo (One way) : $113
- Costa Rica Private Airport Transfer : $6.00
- Departure Private Transfer Arenal to San Jose Airport by Minivan: $177
- Direct Transfer Liberia Airport to Guanacaste Hotels: $35
- GUANACASTE COSTA RICA Airport Transfers | Shuttle Service: $62
- Guanacaste Airport Transfer to Playa Tamarindo: $105
- Guanacaste Airport: Transfer to/from Papagayo Hyatt Hotel: $76
- Liberia Airport (LIR) Peñas Blancas - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Flamingo/Tamarindo - Round-Trip Transfer: $76
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Jaco / Monteverde - Round-Trip Transfer : $179
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Jaco/Monteverde Arrival Private Transfer: $89
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Peñas Blancas - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
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 Liberia or Huaraz?
Prices for flights to both Huaraz and Liberia 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 dayLiberia $21Huaraz $18
Typical Food Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Snacks$1.97
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Lunch at The Shack (for 1)$4.95
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Lunch$11
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Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)$14
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Ginger Ale$1.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.
- 2-Hour Cooking Class in Nosara : $65
- Private Local Cooking Class in Nosara: $85
- Private Sunset Dinner at the Beach with Chef : $190
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.Liberia $25Huaraz $19
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
- (Private) La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike: $41
- La Leona Waterfall: Private tour in Rincon de la Vieja!: $43
- Night Tour in Nuevo Arenal: $43
- Bird-Watching and Wildlife Tour: $43
- La Leona waterfall adventure hike half day : $45
- La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike (Private Tour): $45
- Skip the Line: Diamante Eco Adventure Park: Animal Sanctuary Discovery Ticket: $49
- Zip-line Adventure: $53
- Horseback Riding Tour: $59
- Rincón de la Vieja Bird-Watching Tour: $62
- Zipline at Skyline Canopy Tour Guanacaste Costa Rica: $65
- From Tubing Adventure at Rio Negro: $65
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 dayLiberia $13Huaraz $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Liberia and Huaraz, we can see that Liberia is more expensive. And not only is Huaraz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Liberia 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 Liberia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Liberia 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 Liberia Expensive? and Is Huaraz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Liberia or Huaraz?
Huaraz has a larger population, and is about 92% larger than the population of Liberia. When comparing the sizes of Liberia 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 Liberia 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 Liberia or Huaraz in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Liberia and Huaraz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Liberia year-round. Huaraz attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Liberia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Liberia usually receives more rain than Huaraz. Liberia gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Huaraz can get quite cold in the summer. Liberia is much warmer than Huaraz in the summer. The daily temperature in Liberia averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Huaraz fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLiberia 28°C (82°F)Huaraz 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Liberia or Huaraz in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Liberia as well as Huaraz. Liberia attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Huaraz throughout the year.
Also, December to April in Liberia is the dry season. April to December in Liberia is the rainy season. Liberia receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Liberia usually gets more rain in October than Huaraz. Liberia gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Huaraz can be very cold during autumn. In the autumn, Liberia is much warmer than Huaraz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Liberia in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Huaraz averages at about 4°C (39°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLiberia 27°C (81°F)Huaraz 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Liberia or Huaraz in the Winter?
Both Huaraz and Liberia are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Liberia throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Huaraz because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Huaraz. In January, Liberia usually receives less rain than Huaraz. Liberia gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Liberia is generally much warmer than Huaraz. Daily temperatures in Liberia average around 27°C (81°F), and Huaraz fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLiberia 27°C (81°F)Huaraz 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Liberia or Huaraz in the Spring?
Both Huaraz and Liberia during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Liberia because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Huaraz year-round.
December to April is the dry season in Liberia. April to December is the rainy season in Liberia. Liberia usually gets less rain in April than Huaraz. Liberia gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Liberia is much warmer than Huaraz in the spring. The daily temperature in Liberia averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Huaraz fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLiberia 29°C (85°F)Huaraz 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Huaraz and Liberia
| Liberia | Huaraz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.