A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lima vs. New Orleans for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lima or New Orleans?

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 New Orleans. 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 New Orleans?

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.

New Orleans

New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, and it is a cultural city that is the home of jazz, unique cuisine, and Mardi Gras in the U.S. It was established in 1718 and is one of the oldest cities in the country. The culture of the city has a mix of French, Creole, African American, Caribbean, Irish, Haitian, German and Vietnamese. There's an energy and atmosphere that is unlike any place else.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, The Best Adventure Tours to Peru, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, New Orleans or Lima?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lima is $76, while the average daily cost in New Orleans is $239. 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 New Orleans in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lima $49
    New Orleans $125
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lima $98
    New Orleans $250
Compare Hotels in Lima and New Orleans

Looking for a hotel in Lima or New Orleans? 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.

Hotels in Lima


Hotels in New Orleans


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 New Orleans Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lima $5.67
    New Orleans $51
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $5.37
  • Taxi Ride
    $5.37
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $4.03

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:

  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Lima HTL-APT (LIM): $34
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Lima APT-HTL (LIM) : $34
  • Transfers from / to Lima airport: $43
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Lima Jorge Chávez Airport to Lima City: $40
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Lima City to Airport: $40
  • Transfer in Private Minivan from Lima City - Lima Airport (LIM): $61
  • Transfer from Lima city to the airport: $18
  • Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
  • The Larco Museum Complete Tour with transfers: $52
  • Tegucigalpa to Tegucigalpa Toncontin Airport (TGU) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
  • Taxi transfers from and to the Lima Airport and Paracas Ica: $20
  • Round-Trip Transfer in Private Minivan from-to Lima Airport (LIM) in Lima City: $122

Typical Local Transportation Prices in New Orleans

Some typical examples of transportation costs in New Orleans are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in New Orleans

Also for New Orleans, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer in (Rover RSD) New Orleans MSY/Home/Hotel/Work : $47
  • Private Transfer from Louis Armstrong Airport: $50
  • 1-Way Private Airport Transfer: $50
  • Private Airport Transfer From New Orleans: $60
  • Private Departure Transfer to Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport MSY: $67
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport: $67
  • Private Transfer in a Luxury Sedan from Louis Armstrong Airport: $69
  • New Orleans hotels to NOLA Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $74
  • New Orleans Port to New Orleans Airport Departure Transfer: $75
  • New Orleans L.Armstrong Airport (MSY) to New Orleans - Arrival Private Transfer : $75
  • New Orleans to New Orleans L.Armstrong Airport(MSY) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
  • Cruise Port to New Orleans L.Armstrong Airport(MSY) - Departure Private Transfer: $75

Is it cheaper to fly into Lima or New Orleans?

Prices for flights to both New Orleans 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 day
    Lima $17
    New Orleans $45
Typical Food Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.30
  • Ice cream
    $3.49
  • Coffee
    $2.95
  • 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 New Orleans

For New Orleans, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cajun and Creole Cooking Class with Meal: $38
  • New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal: $42
  • Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans: $55
  • Evening Jazz Boat Cruise with Optional Dinner: $55
  • Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option: $55
  • French Quarter Food Tour: Signature Flavors of New Orleans: $59
  • The Premier New Orleans Food Tour: $77
  • Taste Of New Orleans Food Tour and Experience: $80
  • Private New Orleans Food Tour of the French Quarter : $85
  • French Quarter Food Tour with Tastings: $89
  • New Orleans' Lower Garden Food Tour: $89
  • Lower Garden District Food Tour: $89

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lima $8.57
    New Orleans $55
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
    $2.28

Tours and Activities in Lima

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:

  • Lima bike and 5 Step Food Tasting Experience: $92
  • The best of Lima walking tour: $198
  •  Cultural Tour of the city of Lima & Gastronomic: $62
  • 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $279
  • 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $149
  • 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $149
  • 2d/1n Tour: Flight to the Nazca, Paracas and Huacachina Lines: $289
  • 3 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $289
  • 3 Day Tour to Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $159
  • 3-Day Trip to Lima Tour Package: $150
  • 3-Hour Private Scooter Tour through Miraflores with Guide: $50
  • 360° Panoramic bus - Sightseeing Tour: $27

Typical Entertainment Prices in New Orleans

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New Orleans's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Zoo & Aquarium Tickets (2)
    $75
  • Riverboat Cruise
    $70
  • French Quarter City Tour
    $100

Tours and Activities in New Orleans

For New Orleans, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Self-Guided Walking Tour French Quarter In New Orleans: $6.75
  • Ghosts of Self-Guided Haunted Audio/App Walking Tour: $6.75
  • Struttin' Down Royal Street Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Struttin' Down Royal Street: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Stories of Faith and Courage: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Metairie Cemetery Stories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in New Orleans in 6 Languages: $9.00
  • Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in New Orleans in 6 Languages: $9.00
  • Secret Historical Garden District Audio Tour: $9.99
  • New Orleans Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in New Orleans by 3Quest Challenge: $10
  • Discover Tremé's Soul: A Self-Guided Audio Experience: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lima $5.57
    New Orleans $60
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $7.23
  • Beer
    $4.03
  • 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 New Orleans

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New Orleans:

  • Haunted Pub Crawl In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $13
  • Guided Rum Distillery Tour and Tasting: $15
  • Guided Distillery Tour & Rum Tasting: $15
  • New Orleans Distillery Tour and Rum Tasting with Guide: $15
  • Private New Orleans Seafood Bar Crawl: $15
  • Spooky Ghost and Haunted Pub Crawl Tour: $17
  • New Orleans Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of The Irish Channel: $25
  • Haunted Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $26
  • Adults Only True Crime Pub Crawl: $27
  • New Orleans Bar Crawl: $28
  • True Crime Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $30
  • Haunted Pub Crawl: $30


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lima and New Orleans, we can see that New Orleans 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Orleans 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 New Orleans Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Lima or New Orleans?

Lima has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of New Orleans. When comparing the sizes of Lima and New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?

New Orleans 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 New Orleans in the Summer?

Both New Orleans and Lima during the summer 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 summer months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Lima is much colder than New Orleans in the summer. The daily temperature in Lima averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and New Orleans fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Lima often gets less sunshine than New Orleans. Lima gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun.

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lima usually gets less rain in July than New Orleans. Lima gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lima 18°C (64°F) 
    New Orleans 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Lima or New Orleans in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lima and New Orleans. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.

In the autumn, Lima is around the same temperature as New Orleans. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lima in October average around 19°C (66°F), and New Orleans averages at about 69°F (21°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. Lima usually receives less sunshine than New Orleans during autumn. Lima gets 60 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lima usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Lima gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lima 19°C (66°F) 
    New Orleans 69°F (21°C)

Should I visit Lima or New Orleans in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lima as well as New Orleans. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to New Orleans for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Lima is generally much warmer than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Lima average around 23°C (73°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In the winter, Lima often gets more sunshine than New Orleans. Lima gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. Lima usually gets less rain in January than New Orleans. Lima gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lima 23°C (73°F) 
    New Orleans 51°F (11°C)

Should I visit Lima or New Orleans in the Spring?

Both New Orleans and Lima are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to New Orleans in the spring for the activities around the city.

Lima is around the same temperature as New Orleans in the spring. The daily temperature in Lima averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and New Orleans fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in New Orleans. Lima usually receives less sunshine than New Orleans during spring. Lima gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In April, Lima usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Lima gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lima 22°C (72°F) 
    New Orleans 68°F (20°C)

Typical Weather for New Orleans and Lima

Lima New Orleans
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 23°C (73°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 51°F (11°C) 5.2 inches (131 mm)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 54°F (12°C) 5.8 inches (147 mm)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 62°F (16°C) 5 inches (126 mm)
Apr 22°C (72°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 68°F (20°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm)
May 20°C (68°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 75°F (24°C) 4.3 inches (110 mm)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 80°F (27°C) 5.9 inches (151 mm)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 82°F (28°C) 5.9 inches (149 mm)
Aug 17°C (63°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 82°F (28°C) 6.2 inches (157 mm)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 78°F (26°C) 5.5 inches (140 mm)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 69°F (21°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 61°F (16°C) 4.8 inches (122 mm)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 55°F (13°C) 5.7 inches (146 mm)