Which place is cheaper, La Paz or Lima?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lima or La Paz?
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 La Paz. 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 La Paz?
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.
La Paz
La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It has a population of about 215,000 people and is a significant commercial center for the region. The city has a good economy and a high standard of living when compared to much of Mexico. Much of the economy is focused on eco-tourism and there are many protected marine environments in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, The Best Adventure Tours to Peru, The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLima $77La Paz $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Lima is $77, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $118. 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 La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLima $49La Paz $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLima $98La Paz $104
Compare Hotels in Lima and La Paz
Looking for a hotel in Lima or La Paz? 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 La Paz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lima $5.73La Paz $22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Short Taxi Ride$4.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores Kennedy Park: $5.00
- Lima Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Miraflores: $5.63
- Lima Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Lima city center: $6.00
- 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
- Miraflores City to Lima Airport(LIM) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Jorge Chavez International Airport: Private Transfer: $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Paz:
- Roundtrip Transfer to La Paz International Airport: $73
- La Paz Airport to Costa Baja Private Roundtrip Transfer: $89
- La Paz Int. Airport (LAP): Private Transfer to La Paz hotels: $174
- Private Transfer from La Paz to Cabo San Lucas: $240
- La Paz Airport: Private Roundtrip Transfer to La Ventan: $259
Is it cheaper to fly into Lima or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz 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 $18La Paz $38
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.34
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Ice cream$3.53
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Coffee$2.99
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Donut$0.95
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
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
- Lima Night Food Tour: $48
- Lima Market Food Tour: $52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Paz.
- 4 Hours of Guided La Paz Street Food Tour: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lima $8.66La Paz $13
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$2.31
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
- Customize your trip to Peru with Lima Experience: $12
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $13
- Skip the Line: Peruvian Regional Dances Ticket: $14
- Barranco Street Art Tour: $17
- Party tour Fridays Barranco / Saturdays Miraflores: $18
- Private Tour with guide in Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI: $20
- Guided and Private Bike Tour of Lima: $20
- Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $20
- Lima Downtown Tour from Miraflores in 3 hrs: $21
- Historic Center Walking Tour with Pisco Sour Tasting: $25
- Costa Verde Express Tour: $25
Tours and Activities in La Paz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Paz are as follows:
- Transparent Boat Tour with Mushroom Rock: $64
- Pearls of Pearl Farm Experience: $64
- Half Day Sandboarding and Paddleboarding Experience in La Paz: $81
- Unique Mexican Spirits Tasting & Pairing Experience: $85
- Sunset Sandboarding at La Paz Dunes Tour: $89
- City Tour & Beaches from La Paz: $91
- Supercombo 2-Day City Tour: $105
- Half Day Private Tour of the Beaches of La Paz: $113
- From Los Cabos: City Tour La Paz, Balandra and Todos Santos: $115
- holy spirit island tour: $116
- Los Cabos Tour from La Paz: $119
- Snorkel Tour with Whale Shark in La Paz: $119
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLima $5.63La Paz $12
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$7.30
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Beer$4.07
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Cocktail$3.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $12
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Party Tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl and Drinks: $18
- Party tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $25
- Local Wine Tour: $50
- Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Oasis + Wine Tour !! The best price: $226
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lima and La Paz, we can see that La Paz 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 La Paz 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 La Paz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Paz 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 La Paz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lima or La Paz?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of Lima and La Paz, 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 La Paz?
La Paz 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 La Paz in the Summer?
Both La Paz 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 summer months attract visitors to La Paz because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Lima is much colder than La Paz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lima in July average around 18°C (64°F), and La Paz averages at about 30°C (86°F).
It's quite sunny in La Paz. Lima usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during summer. Lima gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Lima usually receives less rain than La Paz. Lima gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLima 18°C (64°F)La Paz 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Lima or La Paz in the Autumn?
Both La Paz 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, the shopping scene are the main draw to La Paz this time of year.
In October, Lima is generally cooler than La Paz. Daily temperatures in Lima average around 19°C (66°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Lima often gets less sunshine than La Paz. Lima gets 60 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 272 hours of full sun.
Lima usually gets less rain in October than La Paz. Lima gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLima 19°C (66°F)La Paz 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Lima or La Paz in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lima and La Paz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to La Paz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Lima is a little warmer than La Paz in the winter. The daily temperature in Lima averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and La Paz fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. Lima usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during winter. Lima gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Lima usually receives less rain than La Paz. Lima gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLima 23°C (73°F)La Paz 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Lima or La Paz in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Lima as well as La Paz. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to La Paz in the spring for the beaches.
In the spring, Lima is around the same temperature as La Paz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lima in April average around 22°C (72°F), and La Paz averages at about 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. In the spring, Lima often gets less sunshine than La Paz. Lima gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 292 hours of full sun.
Lima usually gets more rain in April than La Paz. Lima gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLima 22°C (72°F)La Paz 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for La Paz and Lima
| Lima | La Paz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
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.