Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Paracas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Paracas and Arequipa can help you decide which place is right for you.
Paracas, also known as El Chaco, is a resort town on the Southern coast of the country, about 150 miles south of Lima. The town in located in one of the oldest regions of Peru, with a history dating back to 900 BC and offers many pre-Inca cultural sites throughout the area. Paracas is possibly best known for being home to the Paracas National Reserve, a nature reserve boasting one of the most abundant and diverse ecosystems in the world.
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 Eco Tours in Peru, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, The Best Cultural Tours in Peru, and The Best Photography Tours in Peru.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Paracas is $63, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $47. 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 Paracas and Arequipa in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Paracas 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Paracas 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Paracas.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
Here are a few actual costs in Paracas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Arequipa:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paracas and Arequipa, we can see that Paracas is more expensive. And not only is Arequipa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Arequipa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arequipa 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 Paracas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paracas than you might in Arequipa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Paracas Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 700 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of Paracas 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.