Which place is cheaper, Lima or Pamplona?
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 Pamplona or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Pamplona or Lima? 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: Pamplona or Lima?
Pamplona
Pamplona is a city in northern Spain located on the snow-capped foothills of the Pyrenees Range. With the backdrop of mountains, the city is surrounded by a setting ideal for skiing, mountaineering, hiking, wildlife and breathtaking scenery. Yet Pamplona itself is a place full of lively culture and stunning architecture. With a long history, the place is embedded in tradition and perhaps most famous for its annual "running of the bulls" celebrated in July, also known as the San Fermin festival.
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 Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Pamplona Prices
Spain PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPamplona €161Lima €83
The average daily cost (per person) in Pamplona is €161, while the average daily cost in Lima is €83. 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 Pamplona and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPamplona €67Lima €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPamplona €134Lima €92
Compare Hotels in Pamplona and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Pamplona 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: Pamplona Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pamplona €24Lima €5.33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pamplona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pamplona:
- Private Transfer from Pamplona city to San Sebastian: $282
- Private Transfer from Logroño city to Pamplona: $282
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride€5.05
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Taxi Ride€5.05
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Short Taxi Ride€3.78
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $5.95
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.95
- Lima Airport : Bus transfer to/from Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco: $11
- Lima Airport One Way Private Transfer LIM to Lima City Center: $12
- LIMA AIRPORT SHUTTLE - Shared Transfer: $13
- Transfer: Lima City Center to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $14
- Transfer from the Airport to the Hotel or Hotel-Airport!!: $15
- Taxi transfers from and to the Lima Airport and Paracas Ica: $15
- Lima Airport Transfer Service Available 24 7: $15
- Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima City Center: $15
- Private Transfer from Lima Airport (LIM) to Callao Port: $16
- Private Taxi Transfers to Lima Jorge Chavez Airport: $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Pamplona or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Pamplona 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 dayPamplona €72Lima €28
Typical Food Prices in Pamplona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pamplona are as follows:
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Lunch for 2€10
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Ice Cream€4.50
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Coffee€1.30
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two€4.04
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Ice cream€3.28
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Coffee€2.78
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Donut€0.88
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
- Dinner at Mangos Larcomar Restaurant: $48
- Lima Street Food Tour: Markets & Local Life: $50
- Peruvian Cooking Class with Chef Lucia Dabdoub: $50
- Private Cooking Class in Causa & Lomo Saltado: $50
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $50
- Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
- #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $59
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- Lima Market Food Tour: $65
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $67
- Lima Food Tour - Prepare your Anticuchos and Pisco Sour: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pamplona €34Lima €8.05
Tours and Activities in Pamplona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pamplona are as follows:
- Pamplona Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $5.07
- TOP Logroño : Private guided tour with your mobile: $5.83
- TOP Pamplona : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $5.83
- Hemingway's Pamplona Smartphone Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- Pamplona Cathedral Guided Tour History Curiosities and Art: $11
- El Sadar Stadium Tour: $17
- San Fermin Tour Discover the Festivals of Pamplona: $29
- San Fermín Tour: $30
- Cobblestones Tour Immersive Medieval Tour English: $30
- Cobblestones Tour Immersive Walking Tour in English: $30
- MEDIEVAL Immersive Knight-Led Walking Experience: $30
- Pamplona walking small group tour: $34
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)€15
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Movie Tickets€2.14
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Lima Cathedral Museum Entrance Ticket: $10
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Walking Tour in the Historical Centre and China Town: $18
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
- Private Bike Tour in Lima: $19
- Best Art and History Tour in Barranco: $20
- Tour in Lima with Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco: $20
- A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20
- Colorful Barranco Tour and Street Art: $20
- Tour around Lima City: $20
- From Pyramids & Bohemian Streets: Lima Miraflores & Barranco Tour: $25
- Miraflores & Barranco Bike Tour with Local Guide: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPamplona €31Lima €5.24
Sample the Local Flavors in Pamplona
Also in Pamplona, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half Day Rioja Wine Tour: $257
- Wine tour: winery and traditional lunch from La Rioja: $292
- Rioja wine tour: two wineries from La Rioja or Pamplona: $309
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€6.79
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Beer€3.78
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Cocktail€3.03
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $22
- Bar Crawl Night Tour in Miraflores: $38
- Lima Nightlife Tour & Society – Cultural Pub Crawl: $50
- From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pamplona and Lima, we can see that Pamplona is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pamplona is in Europe 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 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 Pamplona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pamplona 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 Pamplona Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pamplona or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Pamplona. When comparing the sizes of Pamplona 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 Pamplona or Lima?
Pamplona has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Pamplona or Lima in the Summer?
Both Lima and Pamplona are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Pamplona for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Pamplona is generally a little warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Pamplona average around 20°C (68°F), and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. Pamplona usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Pamplona gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Pamplona usually receives more rain than Lima. Pamplona gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPamplona 20°C (68°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Pamplona or Lima in the Autumn?
Both Lima and Pamplona during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
Pamplona is cooler than Lima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pamplona averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In the autumn, Pamplona often gets more sunshine than Lima. Pamplona gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. Pamplona usually gets more rain in October than Lima. Pamplona gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPamplona 16°C (60°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Pamplona or Lima in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pamplona and Lima. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Pamplona is much colder than Lima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pamplona in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Lima averages at about 23°C (73°F).
Pamplona usually receives less sunshine than Lima during winter. Pamplona gets 85 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
Pamplona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Pamplona usually receives more rain than Lima. Pamplona gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPamplona 8°C (47°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Pamplona or Lima in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Pamplona as well as Lima. Many travelers come to Pamplona for the activities around the city. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
In April, Pamplona is generally much colder than Lima. Daily temperatures in Pamplona average around 12°C (54°F), and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In the spring, Pamplona often gets less sunshine than Lima. Pamplona gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.
Pamplona receives a lot of rain in the spring. Pamplona usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Pamplona gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPamplona 12°C (54°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Pamplona
| Pamplona | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 8°C (47°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 9°C (49°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (49°F) | 184 mm (7.2 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.