Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Lima?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Lima or Arequipa?
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 Lima and Arequipa. 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: Lima or Arequipa?
Lima
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.
Arequipa
Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, The Best Adventure Tours to Peru, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
-
Lima Prices
Peru PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLima $89Arequipa $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Lima is $89, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $57. 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 Lima and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLima $49Arequipa $23
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLima $98Arequipa $46
Compare Hotels in Lima and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Lima or Arequipa? 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: Lima Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lima $5.71Arequipa $6.00
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$5.41
-
Taxi Ride$5.41
-
Short Taxi Ride$4.06
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Direct Private Transfer From Lima to Paracas, English Speaking Driver: $256
- Enjoy a Football Game in Lima with local guide and Transfers: $85
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival Private Transfer : $20
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $41
- LIMA AIRPORT SHUTTLE - Shared Transfer: $13
- LIMA CAR TRANSFER - Private Service: $29
- Larco Museum Complete Guided Tour with Transfers (Small Group): $58
- Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer: $154
- Lima : Private transfer between airport to your destination: $29
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
- Lima Airport Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- Lima Airport Arrival Transfer: $45
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$1.35
-
Bus Ride$0.43
-
Taxi Ride$0.95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- Arequipa Airport Arrival Transfer: $13
- Arequipa Airport Departure Transfer: $13
- Alfredo Rodrígue Airport: Arequipa Hotel Private Transfer: $16
- transfer Airport - Hotel: $21
- Airport private transfer to/from the city center: $26
- 1-Way Airport Private Transfer: $31
- Sihanouk Ville Airport Pickup or Transfer Private Car: $32
- Transfer Between Arequipa's Airport and Hotels: $35
- Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
- Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
- From Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Lima or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Lima 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
-
Food Meals for one dayLima $30Arequipa $24
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
-
Lunch for Two$4.33
-
Ice cream$3.51
-
Coffee$2.97
-
Donut$0.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $38
- Miraflores: Amazing Peruvian Cooking Class Ceviche Seafood and Pisco Sour: $40
- Miraflores Ceviches Peruvian Cooking Classes and Pisco Sour : $45
- Dinner at Mangos Larcomar Restaurant: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Market Tour and Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $47
- Lima Street Food Tour: Experience Markets, History & Local Life: $49
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $49
- Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $55
- Food History & Local Markets (Food Tour): $56
- Lima's Food Tour through Local Markets & Barranco Visit: $59
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
-
Coke$0.41
-
Lunch$2.84
-
Ice Cream$1.08
-
Fruit$0.81
-
Ice Cream$0.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
- Cooking Class at La Plantation: $35
- Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
- Cooking Class Typical Food in Arequipa: $49
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $53
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $53
- Typical Food Cooking Class in Arequipa: $54
- Cooking Class Typical Food in Arequipa: $57
- Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour: $79
- A 3-hour Guided Food Tour with 4 Iconic Restaurants of Arequipa: $79
- Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour: $79
- Food Tour | Gastronomic Tour: $113
- Food Tour Experience: $115
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lima $8.63Arequipa $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
-
Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$16
-
Movie Tickets$2.30
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Tour a pie con Guía Local por el Centro Histórico: $2.00
- Lima Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Peru's Best Bike Experience since 2014 - 4 Hours Hire: $9.90
- Walking Tour Lima Historic Center (small group): $10
- Lima Historic Center Walking Tour: $15
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $18
- The Charm of Barranco & Pre Inca Pyramid (5* Tour): $19
- Private Beach Guided Bike Tour in Lima : $19
- Party tour Fridays Barranco / Saturdays Miraflores: $19
- Bike Tour Lima: $19
- Private Tour with guide in Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI: $20
- GABRIEL | Peruvian Coffee Tasting Experience in Lima: $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Monastery Entry$2.70
-
Salsa Class$2.70
-
Movie Ticket$2.95
-
Hot Springs$2.70
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 4 hours Tour: Route of Sillar with Trek in Culebrillas: $8.39
- Tour + Hike to the Sillar Route and Culebrillas in Arequipa: $8.99
- Sillar Route Tour.: $13
- Tour to La Ruta del Sillar and Culesbrillas in Arequipa: $13
- Walking tour through the historic center of Arequipa: $15
- Walking Tour through the Historic Center of Arequipa: $16
- From Mirabus City Tour | Yanahuara Viewpoint |: $17
- Walking tour in the Historic Center of Arequipa: $18
- From Panoramic Tour of Arequipa: $20
- From Sillar Route - Half Day Tour: $20
- AREQUIPA COUNTRYSIDE TOUR PANORAMIC BUS TOUR: $20
- Walking tour history, legends & mysteries : $20
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLima $5.61Arequipa $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
-
Bottle of Wine$7.27
-
Beer$4.06
-
Cocktail$3.24
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Discover Miraflores nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $19
- Miraflores Nightlife Tour with Bar Crawl & Free Shots: $19
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $24
- Pisco Pub Crawl: $35
- Local Wine Tour: $58
- Local wine tasting in Lima: $96
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $100
- From Huacachina Sandboarding and Wine Tasting Day Trip: $105
- From Huacachina Sandboarding and Wine Tasting Tour: $105
- From Huacachina Sandboarding and Wine Tasting Day Trip: $114
- From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
- From Huacachina Sandboarding and Wine Tasting Day Trip: $135
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
-
Beer$2.43
Sample the Local Flavors in Arequipa
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Arequipa:
- Pub Crawl with Skip-The-Line Access and Drinks: $20
- Pub Crawl Tour in Arequipa with VIP Access.: $25
- From Pisco and wine tour through the Majes Valley: $50
- Pisco and wine tour through the Majes Valley: $59
- Pub Crawl Tour in Arequipa with Drinks and VIP Access.: $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lima and Arequipa, we can see that Lima is more expensive. And not only is Arequipa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Arequipa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arequipa 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 Arequipa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lima Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lima or Arequipa?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Arequipa. When comparing the sizes of Lima and Arequipa, 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.