Which place is cheaper, Pereira or Liberia?
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 Liberia or Pereira?
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 Pereira. 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 Pereira?
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.
Pereira
Situated in a small valley in the western Andes, Pereira is the capital city of Risaralda, Colombia. The city is surrounded by coffee producing agriculture and sits in the middle of a triangle of cities including Bogota, Medillin and Cali, each of which is about a three to five hour drive away.
The city itself is very much student oriented, as there are many universities around town and at least one quarter of the population is made up of students. There is also a very European vibe to the city and you will find the area beautiful with many parks and museums.
Pereira's economy is based on government, agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, trade, commerce, and tourism. Agricultural products include sugarcane, cacao, rubber, cereals, coffee, and livestock. Apparel is the main manufacturing product, along with aluminium goods, motorcycles and telecommunications technology.
Pereira is found in a warm moorland area with an average temperature of around 72 degrees. The temperatures remain relatively consistent throughout the year with highs in the high 70s Fahrenheit to low 80s Fahrenheit. Low temperatures are usually in the low 60s Fahrenheit. Rain is heaviest during the months of April and May as well as October and November.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia.
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Liberia Prices
Costa Rica PricesPereira Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLiberia $128Pereira $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Liberia is $128, while the average daily cost in Pereira is $81. 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 Pereira in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLiberia $60Pereira $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLiberia $120Pereira $52
Compare Hotels in Liberia and Pereira
Looking for a hotel in Liberia or Pereira? 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 Pereira Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Liberia $43Pereira $20
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:
- ATO Liberia Private Transfer to Nosara: $115
- Airport transfer Liberia from and to Tamarindo (One way) : $107
- Costa Rica Private LIR Airport Arrival Transfer : $6.00
- GUANACASTE COSTA RICA Airport Transfers | Shuttle Service: $75
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Flamingo/Tamarindo - Arrival Transfer: $123
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Peñas Blancas - Arrival Private Transfer: $106
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Playa Grande Round-Trip Private Transfer: $214
- Liberia Airport to Hotels One Way Private Transfer: $110
- Liberia Airport to Hotels Round Trip Private Transfers: $220
- Liberia Airport to La Fortuna Private VIP Transfer: $179
- Peñas Blancas to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $106
- Private Airport Shuttle Transfer Playa del Coco Hermosa Ocotal: $45
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pereira
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Pereira are as follows:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pereira
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pereira:
- Arrival or Departure Transfer Matecaña International Airport: $11
- Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer La Nubia Airport: $20
- Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer: Matecaña Intl Airport: $41
- Arrival or Departure Transfer El Éden International Airport: $42
- One way transfer Pereira to Santa Rosa Hot Springs: $88
- PEREIRA/ARMENIA: FULLDAY TRANSFER SALENTO+ FILANDIA + COCORA VALLEY: $144
Is it cheaper to fly into Liberia or Pereira?
Prices for flights to both Pereira 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 $36Pereira $40
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)$4.94
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Lunch$11
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Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)$14
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Ginger Ale$1.28
Typical Food Prices in Pereira
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pereira:
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Hamburger$1.66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Liberia $25Pereira $18
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
- 2 Hour Coffee & Chocolate Tour in Playas del Coco: $40
- Rincón de la Vieja Rainforest Hot Springs Experience: $40
- La Leona waterfall adventure hike half day : $45
- Skip the Line: Diamante Eco Adventure Park: Animal Sanctuary Discovery Ticket: $55
- Cultural Experience Tour: $68
- Day pass to Ponderosa Adventure Park : $70
- Rincón de la Vieja Extreme Canopy Adventure: $74
- Vandará Nature Pass Thermal Springs & Cultural Tour in Costa Rica: $75
- Nature Wildlife Safari Float Tour from La Fortuna-Arenal: $76
- 8 Essential Guanacaste Experiences: culture, nature & wellness : $78
- Volcano Horseback Ride, Mud Bath & Costa Rican Lunch Adventure: $80
- 2 Hour ATV Private Tour in Costa Rica: $81
Tours and Activities in Pereira
Here are a few actual costs in Pereira for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- PRIVATE TOUR OF MAIN SQUARES, HISTORICAL SITES + LOOKOUT POINT: $56
- Tour to hot springs of Santa Rosa from Pereira, Armenia or Salento: $84
- Eco-Park Recinto del Pensamiento Tour: $84
- Manizales City Tour with Cable Car and Chipre Viewpoint : $87
- Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour: $89
- Private Tour to the Coffee Park from Pereira or Armenia: $115
- Tour Santa Rosa hot springs from Pereira, Armenia or Salento: $116
- Private Tour to Salento and Cocora Valley from Pereira or Armenia: $131
- Tour to San Vicente hot springs from Pereira, Armenia or Salento: $132
- Coffee Farm and Santa Rosa Hot Springs Tour from Pereira or Armenia: $149
- Salento and Cócora Tour plus Coffee Farm from Pereira or Armenia: $158
- Salento, Cocora and Filandia Tour from Pereira or Armenia: $160
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLiberia $13Pereira $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Liberia and Pereira, we can see that Liberia is more expensive. And not only is Pereira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Liberia is in Central America and Pereira 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 Pereira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pereira 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 Pereira.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Liberia Expensive? and Is Pereira Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Liberia or Pereira?
Pereira has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Liberia. When comparing the sizes of Liberia and Pereira, 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.