Which place is cheaper, Boston or Lima?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lima or Boston?
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 Boston. 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 Boston?
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.
Boston
Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, The Best Adventure Tours to Peru, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLima $76Boston $255
The average daily cost (per person) in Lima is $76, while the average daily cost in Boston is $255. 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 Boston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLima $49Boston $166
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLima $98Boston $332
Compare Hotels in Lima and Boston
Looking for a hotel in Lima or Boston? 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 Boston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lima $5.67Boston $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.37
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Taxi Ride$5.37
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Short Taxi Ride$4.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $5.00
- Lima Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Miraflores: $5.63
- Lima Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Lima city center: $6.00
- Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport to Hotels in Lima: $13
- LIMA AIRPORT SHUTTLE - Shared Transfer: $13
- Private transfers from Lima Airport or to Lima Airport: $17
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
- Transfer from Lima city to the airport: $18
- Taxi transfers from and to the Lima Airport and Paracas Ica: $20
- Private Transfer from Lima Airport to Hotel by Aludy Travel: $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
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Taxi$35
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Subway Daily Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
- Private Departure Transfer to Boston Airport BOS: $28
- Private Arrival Transfer from (BOS) Boston Airport: $28
- Cruiseport Boston to Boston Airport (BOS) - Departure Transfer: $38
- Boston Logan Intl Airport (BOS) to Flynn Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Boston Airport(BOS) to Flynn Cruiseport Boston - Arrival Transfer: $38
- Transfer in private vehicle from Boston Airport (BOS) to City Downtown: $69
- Transfer in private vehicle from Boston Downtown to Boston Airport (BOS): $69
- Boston to Boston Logan Airport (BOS) - Departure Private Transfer: $79
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Arrival Private Transfer: $79
- Departure Private Transfer Boston to Boston Airport BOS Business-Luxury Vehicle: $84
- Private Transfer from Boston City Hotels to Newport Cruise Port: $88
- Private transfer: Boston to Boston Airport (BOS): $96
Is it cheaper to fly into Lima or Boston?
Prices for flights to both Boston 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
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Food Meals for one dayLima $17Boston $49
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.30
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Ice cream$3.49
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Coffee$2.95
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Donut$0.94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Market Food Tour: $33
- Lima Market Food Tour: $34
- Peruvian Food Tour Through Local Markets: $40
- Ceviche Cooking Class Including Pisco Sour Lesson: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
- AM Coffee Walks with Salem Food Tours: $34
- Boston's North End Pizza & History Walking Food Tour: $49
- North End Pizza Tour with 3 Slices and Cannoli: $55
- Boston Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- North End Food Experience with Pizza, Meats & Cheese: $75
- Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on Boston Harbor: $77
- Boston's North End Small Group Food Tour : $81
- Ultimate Boston Food Tour: North End & Boston Public Market: $89
- Ultimate Food Tour of North End & Public Market: $89
- Union Square, Somerville Neighborhood Food Tour: $90
- Boston Harbor: Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $108
- Local Gems of the South End Neighborhood Food Tour: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lima $8.57Boston $33
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$16
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Movie Tickets$2.28
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Free Walking Tour of Lima: $2.00
- Peru's Best Bike Experience since 2014 - 4 Hours Hire: $9.90
- Customize your trip to Peru with Lima Experience: $12
- bike tour: $12
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $13
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Barranco Street Art Tour: $17
- Party tour Fridays Barranco / Saturdays Miraflores: $18
- Private Beach Guided Bike Tour in Lima : $19
- Private Tour with guide in Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI: $20
- Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $20
- Lima Downtown Tour from Miraflores in 3 hrs: $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
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Two Tickets to Celtics Game$101
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Duck Tour$32
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
- Self Guided Audio Tour 'Hawthorne's Haunts' Haunted Walking Tour Salem: $5.00
- Underground Railroad Audio App Self-Guided Tour: $5.00
- Self Guided "Historic Boston Downtown Freedom Trail" Audio/GPS Walking Tour: $5.00
- Self-Guided Smartphone Ghost Walking Tour in Boston: $5.95
- Self-Guided Smartphone Ghost Walking Tour in Salem: $5.99
- Self-Guided Freedom Trail Walking Audio Tour w/ App: $5.99
- App Self-guided tours with Audioguide Boston: $6.46
- Self Guided Classic Freedom Trail Location Aware (GPS) Walking Audio Tour: $7.75
- Self-Guided Boston's Beacon Hill Underground Railroad Audio Tour Walking Tour: $7.75
- Boston History and Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Boston's History and Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- City History and Highlights Audio App Walking Tour: $7.99
For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLima $5.57Boston $27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.23
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Beer$4.03
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Cocktail$3.22
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $12
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $18
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Party Tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl and Drinks: $18
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $25
- Local Wine Tour : $39
- Local Wine Tour: $50
Sample the Local Flavors in Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
- Boston Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs and Taverns: $30
- Boston Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $34
- Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures: $35
- History Pub Crawl Tour Along the Freedom Trail: $59
- Boston Small-Group Freedom Trail History Tour Pub Crawl: $60
- Boston Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- Guided Craft Brewery Tour with a Snack: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lima and Boston, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lima is in South America and Boston is in North 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 Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston than you might in Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lima Expensive? and Is Boston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lima or Boston?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Boston. When comparing the sizes of Lima and Boston, 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 Lima or Boston?
Boston has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Lima or Boston in the Summer?
Both Boston and Lima are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Boston this time of year.
Lima is cooler than Boston in the summer. The daily temperature in Lima averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Boston fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
It's quite sunny in Boston. Lima usually receives less sunshine than Boston during summer. Lima gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Lima usually receives less rain than Boston. Lima gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLima 18°C (64°F)Boston 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Lima or Boston in the Autumn?
Both Boston and Lima during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Boston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Lima is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lima in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Boston averages at about 54°F (12°C).
In the autumn, Lima often gets less sunshine than Boston. Lima gets 60 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun.
Lima usually gets less rain in October than Boston. Lima gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLima 19°C (66°F)Boston 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Lima or Boston in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lima and Boston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Boston in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Boston can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Lima is generally much warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in Lima average around 23°C (73°F), and Boston fluctuates around 29°F (-2°C).
Lima usually receives more sunshine than Boston during winter. Lima gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Lima usually receives less rain than Boston. Lima gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLima 23°C (73°F)Boston 29°F (-2°C)
Should I visit Lima or Boston in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Lima as well as Boston. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Boston for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
Lima is much warmer than Boston in the spring. The daily temperature in Lima averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and Boston fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boston. In the spring, Lima often gets less sunshine than Boston. Lima gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun.
Lima usually gets less rain in April than Boston. Lima gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLima 22°C (72°F)Boston 48°F (9°C)
Typical Weather for Boston and Lima
| Lima | Boston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 38°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
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.