Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Manaus?
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 Manaus or Arequipa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Manaus or Arequipa? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Manaus or Arequipa?
Manaus
Manaus is a Brazilian city, capital of the state of Amazonas, and is located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River. The city is a major departure point for those visiting the Amazon Rainforest, though there are a few sights worth seeing within the city itself as well.
Arequipa
Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Brazil, The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
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Manaus Prices
Brazil PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManaus $68Arequipa $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Manaus is $68, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $62. 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 Manaus and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManaus $42Arequipa $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManaus $84Arequipa $50
Compare Hotels in Manaus and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Manaus or Arequipa? 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: Manaus Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manaus $7.88Arequipa $6.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus
Also for Manaus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 24-hour airport to hotel transfer in Manaus: $18
- 24-hour transfer from airport to hotel in Manaus: $17
- Manaus Airport: 1-Hour Shared Transfer to Manaus Hotels: $46
- Manaus private Airport transfer: $60
- Manaus to Manaus Airport (MAO) - Departure Private Transfer: $30
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $35
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) -Departure Private Transfer: $54
- One Way Shared Transfer from hotels to Manaus airport: $49
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $35
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $107
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $70
- Private Transfer Service Available in the City of Manaus: $178
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$1.48
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Bus Ride$0.47
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Taxi Ride$1.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport: $37
- Private Transfer from Arequipa Airport to hotels: $30
- Private Transfer from Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport to Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer between Arequipa and Puno: $300
- Private Transfer From Arequipa to Puno, English Speaking Driver: $280
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $80
- Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
- Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
- Colca Canyon 2-Day Tour with Lodge Stay and Transfer to Puno: $267
- Colca Canyon 2 days from Arequipa with final transfer to Puno: $85
- Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
- Arequipa Bus Station Departure Transfer: $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Manaus or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Manaus 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 dayManaus $21Arequipa $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manaus
For Manaus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tour: $70
- Regional Food Tour with Tasting of Typical Dishes: $93
- Dinner with Boi-Bumbá Show and Transfers: $117
- Folklore Amazonian Dinner Show: $120
- Amazonian Food Tour with Local Guide: $156
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
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Coke$0.44
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Lunch$3.10
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Ice Cream$1.18
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Fruit$0.89
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Ice Cream$1.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
- Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
- Cooking Class at La Plantation: $36
- Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $63
- Arequipa : Food Tour and History (3 Restaurants and Market): $69
- Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour: $79
- A 3-hour Guided Food Tour with 4 Iconic Restaurants of Arequipa: $79
- Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
- Food Tour Gastronomic Guided: $119
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manaus -Arequipa $20
Tours and Activities in Manaus
For Manaus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Walking Tours in Manaus: $30
- Full-Day Tour on the Amazon River: $55
- Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
- Half-Day City Tour: $56
- Guided Walking Tour with Museum Entry: $58
- Manaus City Tour e Musa: $65
- Meeting of the Waters & Pink Dolphin Tour with Lunch: $65
- MUSA and INPA Museums with Observation Tower Tour: $65
- The Heart of the Amazon in One Day (The Most Complete Tour): $70
- Manaus Sightseeing Tour: $74
- Private Tour in Science Forest and Amazonas Theater: $75
- Presidente Figueiredo One Day Tour: $80
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Monastery Entry$2.96
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Salsa Class$2.96
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Movie Ticket$3.22
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Hot Springs$2.96
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Day - Colca Canyon and Condor Tour from Arequipa, Peru - Group Service: $288
- 2 Day Tour to Colca Canyon: $43
- 2 Days Colca Living Experience Nature Culture and Tradition: $173
- 2 Days of Natural Experience in the Colca Canyon: $150
- 2 days 1 night Colca Canyon tour ending in Puno: $145
- 2 days and 1 night tour in the Colca Canyon: $205
- 2-Day Hiking Tour to the Colca Canyon: $120
- 2-Day Tour to the Magical Colca Canyon: $68
- 3 Hour Congata Rover Biking Ride Tour in Arequipa: $45
- 3-day Colca Canyon Trek Tour Adventure: $90
- 3-hour guided tour in Arequipa: $65
- 8-Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas with Pick-up: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManaus $2.82Arequipa $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
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Beer$2.66
When comparing the travel costs between Manaus and Arequipa, we can see that Manaus is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manaus Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manaus or Arequipa?
Manaus has a larger population, and is about 90% larger than the population of Arequipa. When comparing the sizes of Manaus and Arequipa, 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.