Which place is cheaper, Huaraz or Montanita?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montanita or Huaraz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Montanita or Huaraz, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Montanita or Huaraz?
Montanita
Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.
Huaraz
Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontanita $96Huaraz $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Montanita is $96, while the average daily cost in Huaraz is $50. 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 Montanita and Huaraz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontanita $41Huaraz $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontanita $82Huaraz $40
Compare Hotels in Montanita and Huaraz
Looking for a hotel in Montanita or Huaraz? 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: Huaraz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montanita $39Huaraz $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huaraz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$2.17
Is it cheaper to fly into Montanita or Huaraz?
Prices for flights to both Huaraz and Montanita 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 dayMontanita $28Huaraz $18
Typical Food Prices in Huaraz
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Huaraz:
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Lunch$5.97
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Chips$1.49
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montanita $31Huaraz $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huaraz
Here are a few typical costs in Huaraz for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Climbing Gear$17
Tours and Activities in Huaraz
Here are a few actual costs in Huaraz for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "WAROMA eco tours peru" 10 day hike in the huayhuash mountain range.: $158
- 69 Lake Tour of Peru: $26
- Ancash: Adventure and Climbing to Mountain Alpamayo |6D-5N|: $3,303
- Ancash: Nevado pastors and puyas Raymondi Tour | Full Day |: $40
- Ancash: Trek and Adventure to Quillcayhuanca |3Days-2Nights|: $410
- From Ancash: Fantastic tour Huaraz/Nevado Pastoruri |4D-3N|: $192
- From Ancash: Huaraz Adventure with meals |3Days-2Nights|: $142
- From Ancash: Tour Huaraz with Puya Raymondi |4Days-3Nights|: $197
- From Ancash: Tour fantastic in Huaraz |2Days-1Night|: $92
- From Ancash: Tour in Huaraz with tickets and Hotel |5D-4N|: $250
- From Huaraz | Live an adventure between mountains and lakes: $214
- From Huaraz || Full day tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontanita $7.86Huaraz $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montanita and Huaraz, we can see that Montanita is more expensive. And not only is Huaraz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Huaraz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huaraz 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 Montanita would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montanita than you might in Huaraz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montanita Expensive? and Is Huaraz Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Montanita or Huaraz?
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 Montanita or Huaraz in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Montanita as well as Huaraz. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Huaraz throughout the year.
Montanita usually gets less rain in July than Huaraz. Montanita gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The weather in Huaraz can be very cold. In the summer, Montanita is much warmer than Huaraz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montanita in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Huaraz averages at about 3°C (37°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontanita 25°C (78°F)Huaraz 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Montanita or Huaraz in the Autumn?
Both Huaraz and Montanita are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Huaraz because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Montanita usually receives less rain than Huaraz. Montanita gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite cold in Huaraz in the autumn. In October, Montanita is generally much warmer than Huaraz. Daily temperatures in Montanita average around 26°C (78°F), and Huaraz fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontanita 26°C (78°F)Huaraz 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Montanita or Huaraz in the Winter?
Both Huaraz and Montanita during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Huaraz year-round.
Huaraz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Montanita usually gets less rain in January than Huaraz. Montanita gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Montanita is much warmer than Huaraz in the winter. The daily temperature in Montanita averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Huaraz fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontanita 27°C (80°F)Huaraz 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Montanita or Huaraz in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montanita and Huaraz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita year-round. Huaraz attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Montanita usually receives less rain than Huaraz. Montanita gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Montanita is much warmer than Huaraz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montanita in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Huaraz averages at about 6°C (43°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontanita 27°C (81°F)Huaraz 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Huaraz and Montanita
| Montanita | Huaraz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 112 mm (4.4 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.