Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Nairobi?
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 Nairobi or Arequipa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nairobi and Arequipa can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Nairobi or Arequipa?
Nairobi
Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.
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 Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $67Arequipa $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $67, 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 Nairobi and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Arequipa $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Arequipa $50
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi 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: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Arequipa $6.56
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
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Taxi from Airport$9.26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer (one Way): $80
- Airport Transfer in Nairobi- JKIA: $30
- Airport Transfers: $40
- Airport Transfers In Nairobi: $50
- Airport Transfers In Nairobi City: $67
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $28
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi City: $70
- Airport transfer; NBO to nairobi hotels: $27
- Airport transfers: $180
- Airport transfers in Nairobi: $60
- From JKIA Airport: Nairobi private transfer in a car (3 pax max): $35
- From Wilson Airport: Nairobi private transfer in a car (3 pax): $30
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:
- transfer Airport - Hotel: $21
- 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 With a 2 Hour Stop: $258
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $79
- Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
- Colca Canyon full day tour with transfer to Puno: $80
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Nairobi 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 dayNairobi $13Arequipa $26
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner for Two$5.02
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Kenyan Cooking Class & Authentic Dining Experience with a Local: $40
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
- Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
- Dinner/Lunch Eating Experience Carnivore Restaurant & Transport: $75
- Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
- Nairobi Nightlife and Safari Park Hotel Dinner Experience: $90
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
- Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100
- Nairobi National Park Afternoon Game Drive/ Dinner Carnivore Restaurant: $100
- Nairobi dinner and safari cat dancers: $100
- Authentic home dinner with a local Family in Nairobi: $108
- Authentic Local Kenyan Food Tour: $108
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: $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.Nairobi $46Arequipa $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Village Visit$15
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fashion African Fabric & Souvenir Market Tour: $12
- Private Tour in Kibera the Largest Slum: $15
- Kibera Slum Tour with a Local: $15
- Nairobi Matatu Culture Experience: $18
- Nairobi Walking City Tour +pick-up: $20
- Nairobi City Tour and Pickup: $20
- Kibera Chocolate City Tour: $22
- Nairobi History and Modern Culture Walking Tour: $22
- Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
- Cultural Discovery Tour of Unfiltered Mathare: $23
- Experience Nairobi Night Life Partying in the City and Beyond: $25
- Giraffe Center Karen Blixen and Kobe Beads Day Tour: $25
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 Tour to Colca Canyon: $43
- 2 Days Colca Living Experience Nature Culture and Tradition: $173
- 2 days 1 night Colca Canyon tour ending in Puno: $145
- 2-Day Hiking Tour to the Colca Canyon: $120
- 2-Day Tour to the Magical Colca Canyon: $68
- 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
- Añashuayco Quarries and Sillar Route Tour from Arequipa: $25
- Afternoon : Arequipa Walking tour: $55
- All inclusive Full day tour Colca Canyon: all Meals & Entrances: $94
- Arequipa - Sillar - Salinas - Colca (3 days: Tours + Income): $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Arequipa $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Food and Wine Tasting Experience at Five Senses Restaurant: $155
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 Nairobi and Arequipa, we can see that Nairobi 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. Even though Nairobi is in Africa and Arequipa is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Arequipa?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Arequipa. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi 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.