Which place is cheaper, Lima or Montanita?
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 Montanita or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Montanita or Lima, 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 Lima?
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.
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 G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Montanita Prices
Ecuador PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontanita $117Lima $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Montanita is $117, 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 Montanita and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontanita $41Lima $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontanita $82Lima $104
Compare Hotels in Montanita and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Montanita 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: Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montanita $39Lima $6.06
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:
- Direct Private Transfer From Lima to Paracas, English Speaking Driver: $269
- Private Transfer From Lima To Huacachina With 2 Stops: $263
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $201
- Private Transfer from Jorge Chávez (LIM) Airport to Lima: $59
- Larco Museum Complete Guided Tour with Transfers (Small Group): $55
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $43
- Lima J Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $43
- Lima Airport Transfers by SUV/Van: $43
- Assistance - Transfer Cusco Airport to Hotel & Viceversa: $40
- Tour Magic Water Park in Lima with Small Group Transfer: $38
- Private Lima Airport Transfer - Minivan 24hrs: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Montanita or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima 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 $48Lima $32
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.Montanita $31Lima $9.15
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 dayMontanita $7.86Lima $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 Montanita and Lima, we can see that Montanita is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 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 Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montanita Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Montanita 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 Montanita or Lima in the Summer?
Both Lima and Montanita during the summer 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 Lima year-round.
Montanita usually gets less rain in July than Lima. Montanita gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Montanita often gets more sunshine than Lima. Montanita gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Montanita is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montanita in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Lima averages at about 18°C (64°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontanita 25°C (78°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Montanita or Lima in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montanita and Lima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita year-round. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Montanita usually receives less rain than Lima. Montanita gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Montanita usually receives more sunshine than Lima during autumn. Montanita gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Montanita is generally a little warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Montanita average around 26°C (78°F), and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontanita 26°C (78°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Montanita or Lima in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Montanita as well as Lima. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Montanita usually gets more rain in January than Lima. Montanita gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Montanita often gets less sunshine than Lima. Montanita gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun.
Montanita is a little warmer than Lima in the winter. The daily temperature in Montanita averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontanita 27°C (80°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Montanita or Lima in the Spring?
Both Lima and Montanita are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Montanita usually receives more rain than Lima. Montanita gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Montanita usually receives less sunshine than Lima during spring. Montanita gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Montanita is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montanita in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Lima averages at about 22°C (72°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontanita 27°C (81°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Montanita
| Montanita | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 15 mm (0.6 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.