Which place is cheaper, Denver 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 Denver?
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 Denver. 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 Denver?
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.
Denver
The capital of Colorado, Denver is commonly referred to as "The Mile-High City" because it is at an elevation of 5,280 feet (1,600 meters) above sea level. It also sits where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, giving a beautiful backdrop for this metropolitan city. The city is the largest in the Rocky Mountains with a population of more than 600,000 and nearly 3 million in the metropolitan area. Denver is a cosmopolitan city with cowboy roots. It's cultural scene is thriving, and the outdoor recreation in the area is superb. Denver is a rapidly growing city but with change comes challenges. Urban sprawl is a problem and the city's infrastructure has reached its limits. Still, efforts are in place to maintain the character and personality that Denver is known for.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, The Best Adventure Tours to Peru, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
-
Lima Prices
Peru PricesDenver Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLima $96Denver $272
The average daily cost (per person) in Lima is $96, while the average daily cost in Denver is $272. 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 Denver in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLima $53Denver $102
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLima $106Denver $204
Compare Hotels in Lima and Denver
Looking for a hotel in Lima or Denver? 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 Denver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lima $6.16Denver $94
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$5.83
-
Taxi Ride$5.83
-
Short Taxi Ride$4.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores Kennedy Park: $5.95
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores: $5.95
- Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima City Center: $15
- Lima Airport Transfer Service Available 24 7: $15
- Private Transfer from Callao Cruise Port to Lima City hotels: $16
- Private Transfer from Callao Port to Lima Airport (LIM): $16
- Private Transfer from Lima City Hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $16
- Private Transfer from Callao Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $17
- Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Callao Port: $17
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $21
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Lima Hotels to Lima Airport (LIM)- Departure Private Transfer: $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:
- DEN Airport Private Transfer to/from Denver Downtown: $30
- Private Transfer Denver Airport DEN to Hot Ski Resorts: $65
- Private Transfer from Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Business Car: $107
- Departure Transfer: Denver to Denver Airport DEN by Business Car: $107
- Denver hotel or address to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $116
- Denver International Airport Private Transfer Pick up: $130
- Departure Private Transfer: Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Luxury SUV: $135
- Departure Private Transfer: Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Luxury Van: $135
- Arrival Private Transfer: Denver Airport DEN to Denver in Luxury Van: $135
- Private Transfer from Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Luxury Van: $135
- Denver Airport (DEN) to Keystone resort - Arrival Private Transfer: $137
- Keystone resort to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $137
Is it cheaper to fly into Lima or Denver?
Prices for flights to both Denver 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 $33Denver $85
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
-
Lunch for Two$4.66
-
Ice cream$3.79
-
Coffee$3.21
-
Donut$1.02
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Off the Radar Lima Food Tour Hidden Spots Pisco and Local Vibes: $4.00
- Dinner at Café del Museo Larco restaurant: $30
- Dinner with Folkloric Show at Casa Tambo Restaurant: $43
- Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $44
- Miraflores Cooking Class Ceviche, Tartar & Pisco Sour: $48
- #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $49
- Lima Street Food Tour : Try the best Peruvian street food: $49
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $50
- Lima : Cooking Class, Chef Le Cordon Bleu, Tuk Tuk and Fiesta: $51
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $55
- Barranco Food Tour: $60
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $62
Typical Food Prices in Denver
Some typical examples of dining costs in Denver are as follows:
-
Sushi Dinner (for 2)$61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Denver
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Denver.
- Morning Downtown 16th St. Food Tour with Local Guide: $69
- Denver Downtown 16th Street Food Tour: $75
- RiNo Arts District Walking Food Tour: $79
- Denver RiNo Arts District Food Tour: $85
- Downtown Denver Food Tour: $85
- The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Show - Denver, CO: $89
- Denver Food Tour with Food Tastings in Historic Lower Downtown: $98
- Denver Food Tour with Tastings in Historic Lower Downtown: $110
- Taste of the City Food Tour by Bike: $125
- Downtown Dinner Food and Drink Tour: $135
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lima $9.30Denver $47
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)$17
-
Movie Tickets$2.48
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Walking Tour Hidden Lima Downtown: $2.50
- Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Lima: $5.00
- Barranco Walking Tour with Sunset Option: $5.00
- Street Art Walking Tour in Barranco: $5.00
- Gastronomic Walking Tour A Taste of Lima: $5.00
- Lima Cathedral Museum Entrance Ticket: $10
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Miraflores Guided Walking Tour and Surquillo Market Experience: $15
- Walking Tour to Miraflores and Barranco with a beer: $15
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
- Private Beach Guided Bike Tour in Lima: $19
- Tour in Lima with Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco: $20
Tours and Activities in Denver
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Denver are as follows:
- Denver Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
- Self-Guided Podcast Tour The Resurrection of LoDo: $5.46
- Gold Beer and the Rockies: Audio Walking Tour of Golden's Past: $7.99
- Denver's Heart A Self Guided Tour of the State Capitol and Beyond: $8.99
- Denver’s Wild Side: Self-Guided Audio Tour of its Notorious Past: $9.99
- Winding Pathways of Denver's City Park A Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
- Downtown Denver to Capitol Hill: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Denver's Booms and Busts: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Denver by Operation City Quest: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure on Your Phone: $10
- Fun Royal Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Arvada, CO: $10
- Colorado Rockies Baseball Game Rooftop Experience Ticket: $15
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLima $6.05Denver $5.31
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
-
Bottle of Wine$7.84
-
Beer$4.37
-
Cocktail$3.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
- Barranco Bohemian Bar Crawl: 4 Bars & Live Music: $24
- Lima Anti Pub Crawl: $60
- From Lima Paracas and Huacachina Oasis Dunes and Wine Tour: $89
Sample the Local Flavors in Denver
Also in Denver, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Stranahan's Distillery Tour and Tasting Experience: $22
- Denver Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Denver Street Art, Murals & Graffiti Tour + Brewery Visit: $35
- Denver Street Art & Murals Tour + Brewery Visit/Beer Tasting: $39
- Spirits and Spirits Bar Crawl: $45
- Golden Ghosts & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $45
- Downtown Denver Pub Crawl - Food & Drinks Included!: $50
- Neighborhood Bar Crawl in RiNo Arts District (Denver): $50
- Wild West Pub Crawl: $61
- DIY Candle Making Class at a Local Brewery: $75
- Denver Pedicab Brewery Tour: $130
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lima and Denver, we can see that Denver 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 Denver 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 Denver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Denver 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 Denver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lima or Denver?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Denver. When comparing the sizes of Lima and Denver, 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.