Which place is cheaper, Lima or Mombasa?
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 Mombasa or Lima?
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 Mombasa and Lima. 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: Mombasa or Lima?
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $80Lima $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $80, while the average daily cost in Lima is $95. 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 Mombasa and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Lima $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Lima $104
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Lima? 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: Mombasa Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Lima $6.06
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Safe Private Airport Transfer in Mombasa: $19
- Transfer From Mombasa (Moi Airport/SGR) To Diani: $35
- Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $43
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $43
- DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $74
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City Hotels to Mombasa Cruise Port: $79
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $79
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $81
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $95
- Private Day Tour of Mombasa City with Transfers: $104
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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Short Taxi Ride$4.30
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 APT-HTL (LIM) : $34
- Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima City Center: $16
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
- Transfer To Lima Airport: $20
- Tour Magic Water Park in Lima with Small Group Transfer: $38
- Round Trip Transfer from and to the Airport in Miraflores/Barranco/Sani : $33
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.95
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $5.95
- Private Transfers from/to Lima Airport (Price per Vehicle): $29
- Private Transfer to Lima Airport (LIM): $13
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $201
- Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Mombasa 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 dayMombasa $41Lima $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Special African Dinner: $46
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.59
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Ice cream$3.73
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Coffee$3.15
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Donut$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken: $32
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $40
- Lima Food Tour - Prepare your Anticuchos and Pisco Sour : $48
- #1 Reviewed Lima Cooking Class: $49
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $55
- Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
- Peru’s Most Beloved Recipes Cooking Class: $58
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- Lima Night: Cooking Experience with locals: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting: $65
- Vegan Peruvian Food Cooking Class | Ceviche + Pisco Sour: $69
- 4 iconic restaurants of Lima / 3-hour guided food tour: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Lima $9.15
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mombasa Guided City Tour Experience: $25
- Tusks, Fort Jesus, Old Town, Beach and City Tour: $30
- Mombasa city tour: $30
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $35
- Private Mombasa Food & Sightseeing Tour: $35
- Mombasa City Tour : $40
- Half day Mombasa City Tour: $42
- Haller Park Tour observing hippos, giraffes, birds, monkeys, crocs & others: $45
- Half-Day Scenic Bike Tour: $48
- Private Mombasa City Tour Watamu Diani and Malindi: $50
- Walking Tour Through Old Town Mombasa and Fort Jesus: $50
- Bus Tickets from Mombasa to Nairobi: $55
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)$17
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Movie Tickets$2.44
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Tour From Lima (Private Group): $190
- Cycling Tour Miraflores - Barranco - Chorrillos: $30
- Lima bike and 5 Step Food Tasting Experience: $92
- Private Classic City Tour Experience of Lima: $65
- Private Stopover Tour of Lima from the Airport: $150
- Sunset in Huacachina and Tacama: Private Tour from Lima: $220
- #1 Full Day Tour From Paracas and Huacachina Oasis: $59
- 1 Day Tour to Huacachina from Lima (Dunebuggy + Vineyards): $225
- 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
- 2 Days 1 Night Paracas Ica Tour from Lima: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.79Lima $5.95
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$7.71
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Beer$4.30
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Cocktail$3.44
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $19
- Bar Crawl Night Tour in Miraflores: $30
- Local Wine Tour : $55
- From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
- Full Day Paracas, Huacachina and Wine Tasting from Lima : $138
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Lima, we can see that Lima is more expensive. And not only is Mombasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa and Lima is in South 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 Mombasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mombasa 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 Lima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lima than you might in Mombasa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Mombasa. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Lima, 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 Mombasa or Lima?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Mombasa or Lima in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Lima. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Mombasa usually gets more rain in July than Lima. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the summer, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Lima. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun.
In July, Mombasa is generally a little warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 24°C (75°F), and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Lima in the Autumn?
Both Lima and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Mombasa. In October, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Lima. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Lima during autumn. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Mombasa is a little warmer than Lima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Lima in the Winter?
Both Lima and Mombasa during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
Mombasa usually gets more rain in January than Lima. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the winter, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Lima. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Mombasa is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mombasa in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Lima averages at about 23°C (73°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Lima in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Lima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Mombasa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Lima. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Lima during spring. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Mombasa is generally a little warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.