Which place is cheaper, Phoenix or Lima?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lima or Phoenix?
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 Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?
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.
Phoenix
The most populous city in the American Southwest, Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona and busiest hub of activity in the general area. Geographically it is located in the Sonoran Desert, making for long hot summers and mild winters. This climate has ensured a thriving tourism industry with plenty of attractions both in and around Phoenix.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, The Best Adventure Tours to Peru, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLima $76Phoenix $238
The average daily cost (per person) in Lima is $76, while the average daily cost in Phoenix is $238. 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 Phoenix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLima $49Phoenix $144
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLima $98Phoenix $288
Compare Hotels in Lima and Phoenix
Looking for a hotel in Lima or Phoenix? 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 Phoenix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lima $5.67Phoenix $39
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:
- Private Transfer From Lima To Huacachina With 2 Stops: $198
- Private Transfer From Lima To Paracas With 2 Stops : $176
- Premium Peruvian Horse Show with Lunch & Transfers: $150
- Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer: $134
- Round-Trip Transfer in Private Minivan from-to Lima Airport (LIM) in Lima City: $122
- Palomino Islands Excursion & Swimming with Sea Lions with Hotel Transfers: $119
- Airport Transfer Service in Lima: $95
- Private Transfer from Callao Cruise Port to Lima city hotels: $87
- Private Transfer from Lima city hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $87
- Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Pisco Cruise Port: $87
- Lima Airport Arrival Transfer for small groups: $79
- Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Pisco Port : $79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phoenix
Also for Phoenix, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Hotels To Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport PHX : $41
- Private Transfer from Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Business Car: $90
- Departure Private Transfer: Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Business Car: $90
- Arrival Private Transfer: Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Luxury SUV: $104
- Private Transfer from Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Luxury SUV: $104
- Private Transfer from Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Luxury SUV: $104
- Departure Private Transfer: Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Luxury SUV: $104
- One-Way Transfer Sky Harbor Airport to Phoenix: $104
- Departure Private Transfer Phoenix City to Phoenix Airport PHX : $110
- Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) to Phoenix - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $116
- Arrival Private Transfer Phoenix Airport PHX to Phoenix City : $117
- Phoenix International Airport (PHX) - Private transfer From/to Hotels: $118
Is it cheaper to fly into Lima or Phoenix?
Prices for flights to both Phoenix 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 $17Phoenix $52
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
Typical Food Prices in Phoenix
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Phoenix:
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Nice Lunch (for 2)$36
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Indian Food Dinner (for 2)$32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phoenix
For Phoenix, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Awesome French Crêpes Cooking Class: $75
- Old Town Scottsdale Food Tour: $92
- Downtown Phoenix Food Tour: $92
- Scottsdale Waterfront Food Tour: $95
- Quiche Lorraine French Cooking Class in Scottsdale: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lima $8.57Phoenix $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)$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:
- 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
Tours and Activities in Phoenix
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Phoenix.
- Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting Entry Ticket: $17
- Private Asylum Escape Room Experience in Avondale: $24
- Private Speakeasy Escape Room Experience in Avondale: $24
- The Scottsdale Selfie Experience: $25
- Ghosts & Poltergeists Guided Haunted Walking Tour: $26
- RoRo Street Art Tour in Phoenix: $27
- Tempe Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Phoenix Zoo Admission Ticket: $38
- Phoenix Zoo: One Day General Admission Ticket: $38
- Phoenix History, Mystery and Ghost Hunting Tour : $39
- Phoenix History, Mystery and Ghost Hunting Tour: $39
- Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball Game Ticket: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLima $5.57Phoenix $17
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 Phoenix
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Phoenix:
- Scottsdale Bar Hunt: Scorching Scottsdale Bar Crawl: $12
- Pedal Bar Crawl of Old Town Scottsdale: $55
- Stretch Limo Party Cart - Custom Bar Crawls, Wine Tastings, Night Clubs & More: $155
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lima and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix 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 Phoenix Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lima or Phoenix?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Phoenix. When comparing the sizes of Lima and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?
Phoenix 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 Phoenix in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Lima as well as Phoenix. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
It's very hot in Phoenix this time of the year. In July, Lima is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Lima average around 18°C (64°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the summer, Lima often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Lima gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun.
Lima usually gets less rain in July than Phoenix. Lima gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLima 18°C (64°F)Phoenix 98°F (36°C)
Should I visit Lima or Phoenix in the Autumn?
Both Phoenix 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 and the shopping scene are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.
Lima is cooler than Phoenix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lima averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Lima usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. Lima gets 60 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Lima usually receives less rain than Phoenix. Lima gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLima 19°C (66°F)Phoenix 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Lima or Phoenix in the Winter?
Both Phoenix 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. Also, many travelers come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Lima is much warmer than Phoenix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lima in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Phoenix averages at about 58°F (14°C).
In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Lima often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Lima gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.
Lima usually gets less rain in January than Phoenix. Lima gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLima 23°C (73°F)Phoenix 58°F (14°C)
Should I visit Lima or Phoenix in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lima and Phoenix. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
In April, Lima is generally around the same temperature as Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Lima average around 22°C (72°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. Lima usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. Lima gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Lima usually receives less rain than Phoenix. Lima gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLima 22°C (72°F)Phoenix 74°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for Phoenix and Lima
| Lima | Phoenix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 83°F (28°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 92°F (34°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 98°F (36°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 96°F (35°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 90°F (32°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 1 inches (25 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.