Which place is cheaper, Honolulu or Lima?
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 Lima or Honolulu?
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 Honolulu. 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 Honolulu?
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.
Honolulu
Hawaii's capital city of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the state's center for government, finance, and transportation. It's also the home of Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the state of Hawaii. Nearly one million people live in this Honolulu metropolitan area. This is almost 80% of the state's population. The city is not the relaxed Hawaiian destination that you might be searching for, but is instead a fast paced, cosmopolitan city. In addition to attracting many tourists every year, you'll also find international businesses, military defense and a diverse culture and population.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, The Best Adventure Tours to Peru, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.
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Lima Prices
Peru PricesHonolulu Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLima $98Honolulu $329
The average daily cost (per person) in Lima is $98, while the average daily cost in Honolulu is $329. 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 Honolulu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLima $54Honolulu $190
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLima $108Honolulu $380
Compare Hotels in Lima and Honolulu
Looking for a hotel in Lima or Honolulu? 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 Honolulu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lima $6.25Honolulu $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.92
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Taxi Ride$5.92
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Short Taxi Ride$4.44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- From Lima Private transfer to Paracas: $290
- Lima round trip transfers airport - hotel - airport + City Tour: $218
- Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Pisco Cruise Port: $216
- Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Pisco Port: $216
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $197
- Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer: $160
- Palomino Islands Excursion & Swimming with Sea Lions with Hotel Transfers: $125
- Airport Transfer Service in Lima: $95
- Private Largevan Transfer - Arrival Lima Airport to Hotel: $79
- Transfer by car from the airport to the hotel: $60
- Private Transfer from Lima to Jorge Chávez (LIM) Airport: $58
- Larco Museum Complete Guided Tour with Transfers (Small Group): $55
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Honolulu
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Honolulu are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
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Airport Shuttle for Two$30
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Hilton Parking$24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Honolulu
Also for Honolulu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
- Arrival Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
- Private Transfer from Honolulu Airport (HNL) to Honolulu Port: $21
- Private Transfer from Honolulu Port to Honolulu / Waikiki hotels: $21
- Shared Departure Transfer from Waikiki Hotels to Honolulu Airport: $23
- HNL Airport Private Transfer to/from Honolulu City: $24
- Shared Arrival Transfer from Honolulu Airport to Waikiki Hotels: $25
- Honolulu Airport HNL to Honolulu/Waikiki Arrival Private Transfer: $25
- Honolulu / Waikiki to Honolulu Airport (HNL) - Departure Private Transfer: $25
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $26
- Oahu: Private Transfer to/from Honolulu Airport - Waikiki: $27
- Hawaii: Private Airport Transfers from/to Honolulu City: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Lima or Honolulu?
Prices for flights to both Honolulu 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 $33Honolulu $91
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.74
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Ice cream$3.85
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Coffee$3.26
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Donut$1.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Food Tours on the Forbidden Side of Lima (Min. 3 Guests – Max. 6): $5.00
- Local Food Tour at an Iconic Market!!: $24
- Private Churros Cooking Class, Miraflores & Hotel Pickup: $43
- Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
- Dinner with Folkloric Show at Casa Tambo Restaurant: $46
- #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $49
- Lima Street Food Tour : Try the best Peruvian street food: $49
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $50
- Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $55
- Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
- Limeno Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
Typical Food Prices in Honolulu
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Honolulu:
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Dinner for Two$73
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Lapperts Hawaii Ice Cream$5.55
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Chai's Island Bistro (for 2)$53
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Cheeseburger Waikiki (for 2)$34
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Matsumoto Shave Ice (for 2)$7.50
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Hot Dog with the Fixins'$8.30
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Sushi Dinner for Two$73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Waikiki Food Tour with Local Guide: $98
- Hawaii: Off The Beaten Path Food Tour: $150
- Ka Moana Luau Dinner and Show with Transportation: $166
- Sunset 5 Course Dinner Cruise with Entertainment: $193
- Nova Five Star Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Jazz: $236
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lima $9.44Honolulu $40
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)$18
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Movie Tickets$2.52
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- 1 Day Tour to Huacachina from Lima (Dunebuggy + Vineyards): $225
- 1 day tour in Ica Peru: $200
- 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $265
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $134
- 3 Day Tour From Paracas, Huacachina Oasis & Pisco Vineyard: $159
- 3 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $289
- 3 Hour Private Electric Scooter Tour of Lima: $75
- 3 Hours Walking Tour of Lima Old Town and Catacumbs: $59
- 3-Day Tour Discover Paracas and Huacachina from Lima: $260
- 4 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $299
- 8-Hour Private Tour Lima Viceroyalty and Gold Museum with Lunch: $120
- A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Parking for Hike$5.00
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Pearl Harbor Audio Tour for Two$12
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2 hr Dinner Cruise$85
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1 Day Kayak Rental$36
Tours and Activities in Honolulu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Honolulu.
- Honolulu Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.71
- Official Pearl Harbor Commander's SelfGuided Multimedia Tour: $12
- Arrival Trasfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Cruise Terminal: $17
- Downtown Ghostly Night Marchers Walking Tour: $21
- Ghosts of Old Honolulu Walking Tour: $21
- BYOB Weekend Sightseeing Sail towards Diamond Head: $24
- XploreRide VR Bus Tour of Underwater City: $29
- Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum Ticket with Audio Tour and Shuttle: $30
- Waikiki: Waikiki Night Marchers Ghostly Walking Tour: $30
- Airport Shuttle Round Trip Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $35
- Kawaiahaʻo Church Guided Walking Tour: $37
- Bishop Museum General Admission Ticket: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLima $6.14Honolulu $6.47
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$7.96
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Beer$4.44
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Cocktail$3.55
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
- Discover Barranco's Nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
- Discover Miraflores nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $24
- Lima Nightlife Tour & Society – Cultural Pub Crawl: $50
- From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
Sample the Local Flavors in Honolulu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Honolulu:
- Waikiki Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $38
- Kaka'ako Brewery Tour by 15-Passenger Bike: $45
- Kaka'ako Brewery Tour by 15-Passenger Bike: $45
- Oahu: Dole Plantation and Ko Hana Distillery with Rum Tasting: $104
- V.I.P Dole, Rum Distillery, N.Shore, Haleiwa Circle island tour: $241
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lima and Honolulu, we can see that Honolulu 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 Honolulu 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 Honolulu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Honolulu 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 Honolulu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lima or Honolulu?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Honolulu. When comparing the sizes of Lima and Honolulu, 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 Honolulu?
Honolulu 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 Honolulu in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Lima as well as Honolulu. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Honolulu because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Lima is cooler than Honolulu in the summer. The daily temperature in Lima averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Honolulu fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Honolulu. In the summer, Lima often gets less sunshine than Honolulu. Lima gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 303 hours of full sun.
Lima usually gets less rain in July than Honolulu. Lima gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLima 18°C (64°F)Honolulu 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Lima or Honolulu in the Autumn?
Both Honolulu and Lima are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Honolulu this time of year.
In the autumn, Lima is cooler than Honolulu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lima in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Honolulu averages at about 80°F (26°C).
It's quite sunny in Honolulu. Lima usually receives less sunshine than Honolulu during autumn. Lima gets 60 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 246 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Lima usually receives less rain than Honolulu. Lima gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLima 19°C (66°F)Honolulu 80°F (26°C)
Should I visit Lima or Honolulu in the Winter?
Both Honolulu and Lima during the winter 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 Honolulu for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Lima is generally around the same temperature as Honolulu. Daily temperatures in Lima average around 23°C (73°F), and Honolulu fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
In Honolulu, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Lima often gets less sunshine than Honolulu. Lima gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 212 hours of full sun.
Lima usually gets less rain in January than Honolulu. Lima gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLima 23°C (73°F)Honolulu 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Lima or Honolulu in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lima and Honolulu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Honolulu in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Lima is around the same temperature as Honolulu in the spring. The daily temperature in Lima averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and Honolulu fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Honolulu this time of the year. Lima usually receives less sunshine than Honolulu during spring. Lima gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Lima usually receives less rain than Honolulu. Lima gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLima 22°C (72°F)Honolulu 76°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Honolulu and Lima
| Lima | Honolulu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (98 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.