A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Manaus vs. Cajamarca for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Manaus or Cajamarca?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Manaus or Cajamarca? 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 Cajamarca?

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.

Cajamarca

Located in the northern highlands of Peru, Cajamarca is a town of about 100,000 people. The city's mild weather and fertile soil is ideal for agriculture, which is a major industry in the area. The city is also well known for its cheeses and dairy products. Cajamarca is the site of the Battle of Cajamarca which led to the execution of the Inca emperor Atahualpa and the end of the infamous Inca empire. Today, the area is appealing to visitors in part because of its lovely churches, nice hot springs, and interesting Inca Baths.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Cajamarca or Manaus?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Manaus is $61, while the average daily cost in Cajamarca is $69. 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 Cajamarca in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Manaus $43
    Cajamarca $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Manaus $86
    Cajamarca $48
Compare Hotels in Manaus and Cajamarca

Looking for a hotel in Manaus or Cajamarca? 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 Manaus


Hotels in Cajamarca


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Manaus $8.12
    Cajamarca $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus

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

  • Transfer 24h hotel - aeroporto em Manaus: $18
  • Private 24-hour transfer from the Hotel to the Airport in Manaus: $19
  • Private Transfer 24h Airport to Hotel in Manaus: $19
  • Private transfer hotel -> port of Manaus: $20
  • Private Transfers Services Airport -Hotel 24h: $20
  • Serviço de transfer privativo do Porto -> aeroporto de Mana: $20
  • Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) -Departure Private Transfer: $21
  • Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
  • Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
  • Manaus Airport (MAO) to Manaus hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
  • Manaus hotels to Manaus Airport(MAO) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
  • Manaus private Airport transfer: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Manaus or Cajamarca?

Prices for flights to both Cajamarca 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Manaus $13
    Cajamarca $28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manaus

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

  • Folklore Amazonian Dinner Show: $42
  • Food Tour: $50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Manaus -
    Cajamarca $26

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: $15
  • Like a Local Customized Guided Welcome Tour: $30
  • Manaus City Tour e Musa: $50
  • MUSA and INPA Museums with Observation Tower Tour: $50
  • Half-Day City Tour: $54
  • Full-Day Tour on the Amazon River: $55
  • Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
  • City Tour - The Best of Manaus: $64
  • Solimoes River Piranha Fishing and Alligator Watching Tour: $66
  • Amazon Waterfalls Tour: $70
  • Meeting of the Waters & Pink Dolphin Tour with Lunch: $71
  • Full-Day Package Tour in Presidente Figueiredo : $72

Tours and Activities in Cajamarca

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

  • 3-Day Guided Cultural Tour of Cajamarca with Transportation: $202
  • City Tour: $67
  • Sulluscocha Extreme Adventure |Atv, Canopy, Climbing|: $65
  • || Tour of the Cajamarca Valley - San Nicolás lagoon ||: $40

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Manaus $2.90
    Cajamarca $16


When comparing the travel costs between Manaus and Cajamarca, we can see that Cajamarca 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 Cajamarca Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Manaus or Cajamarca?

Manaus has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cajamarca. When comparing the sizes of Manaus and Cajamarca, 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.