A Travel Price Comparison for Peru Paracas vs. Cusco for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Paracas or Cusco?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

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 Cusco can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Paracas or Cusco?

Paracas

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.

Cusco

Cusco is most famous as the historic capital of the Inca Empire. It is in the southern Sierras and is one of the most popular travel destinations within Peru. The city is located at 3,400 meters above sea level so it is best to acclimate yourself slowly to avoid altitude sickness.

Cusco is the starting point for many travelers making their way to the famed Machu Picchu or other Inca sites in the surrounding area.

The city is very beautiful and has impressive architecture throughout. The history is obvious as you walk around town and there are impressive ruins nearby, with the most impressive being Sacsayhuaman. The city also has a significant indigenous population that is obvious from their traditional clothing and style.

Cusco has a subtropical highland climate with a pleasant daytime temperature year around. There are two distinct seasons with the dry season being between May and August and the wet season between December and March. During the dry season there is plenty of sun with occasional nighttime freezes. Frost is less common in the wet season.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Paracas?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Paracas Prices
    Peru Prices
    Cusco Prices
    Peru Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Paracas $79
    Cusco $60

The average daily cost (per person) in Paracas is $79, while the average daily cost in Cusco is $60. 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 Cusco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Paracas $22
    Cusco $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Paracas $44
    Cusco $46
Compare Hotels in Paracas and Cusco

Looking for a hotel in Paracas or Cusco? 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.

Hotels in Paracas


Hotels in Cusco


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: Paracas Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Paracas $18
    Cusco $9.95

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:

  • Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
  • Private Transfer From San Juan Airport (SJU) to /from San Juan: $44
  • Private Transfer from or to San Juan and Bayamon : $60
  • From Lima: Paracas and Huacachina Day Trip with Transfers: $89
  • Lima: Private taxi transfer from Lima airport to Paracas: $129
  • From Lima: Paracas and Huacachina Day Trip with Transfers: $139
  • Private Transfer From Paracas To Lima With 2 Stops: $169
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $193
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $193
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels: $252
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $253

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cusco:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.07

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:

  • “Private Transfer to Sacsayhuaman, The Soul of Cusco”.: $13
  • “Transfer to Puno: A Journey between Two Andean Jewels”.: $676
  • Airport Cusco Transfers: $69
  • Cusco : Transfer to Pisac: $35
  • Cusco : Transfer to Sacsayhuaman with waiting time: $55
  • Cusco : Transfer to the bus terminal: $10
  • Cusco : Transfer to the market of Pisac: $67
  • Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $9.67
  • Cusco Airport Arrival or Departure Transfer : $14
  • Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $9.18
  • Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $15
  • Cusco Airport Pickup and Private Transfer: $15

Is it cheaper to fly into Paracas or Cusco?

Prices for flights to both Cusco 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Paracas $39
    Cusco $22

Typical Food Prices in Cusco

Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:


  • Sandwich
    $2.15
  • Mango
    $0.54

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.

  • Folkloric Andean Show & 3-Course Dinner at Tunupa: $37
  • Cusco street food tour: $39
  • Folkloric Andean Show & 3-Course Dinner at Tunupa: $48
  • 3-hour Peruvian cooking class: $49
  • Cusco Cooking Class. Traditional 2 course Dinner - Bilingual 6pm: $50
  • Dinner in Cusco with an Andean Folk Show: $50
  • Pete's Peruvian Cooking Class: $52
  • Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market in Cusco: $55
  • Fully hands-on High End Peruvian Cooking Class & San Pedro Market Guided Visit: $55
  • Market Tour & Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class in Cusco: $55
  • Cooking Class and market tour with a local chef: $56
  • Peruvian Vegan Cooking Class, cocktails, Local Market Tour Cusco: $57

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Paracas $25
    Cusco $29

Tours and Activities in Paracas

Here are a few actual costs in Paracas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Paracas Desert Bike Adventure: $15
  • Ballestas Islands Guided Boat Tour: $16
  • BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $16
  • From Guided boat tour of the Ballestas Islands: $16
  • speedboat BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $17
  • From Paracas National Reserve Tours: $17
  • Ballestas Islands Guided Boat tour all inclusive: $18
  • From Ballestas Islands Guided Boat Tour: $18
  • Ballestas Islands Boat Tour from Paracas: $19
  • Ballestas Islands and Candelabra Boat Tour: $20
  • Ballestas Islands Morning Boat Tour: $20
  • From Scenic Boat Tour to Ballestas Island: $20

Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:


  • Salsa Class
    $2.68

Tours and Activities in Cusco

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:

  • Around Walking Tour in Cusco, the Historical Center.: $8.00
  • Footsteps of the Incas Guided Walking Tour: $8.19
  • Photographic Experience City Tour: $10
  • Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary Admission Ticket: $10
  • cultural walking tour with drinks: $10
  • Sightseeing Tour of the City on an Open-Top Bus: $12
  • City Tour in Cusco: $13
  • City Tour in Cusco: $13
  • CUSCO CITY TOUR 2025 Half Day Tour in Cuzco: $13
  • Historic Walking Tour with Pisco Sour and Music Show: $13
  • Half-Day City Tour with Sacsayhuaman and Q'enco: $14
  • City tour Cusco : Coricancha and Sacsayhuamán: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Paracas $11
    Cusco $9.45

Sample the Local Flavors in Paracas

Also in Paracas, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • From Lima: Ballestas Islands, Huacachina, and Wine Tour: $75
  • From Lima: Ballestas Islands, Huacachina, and Wine Tour: $75

Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco

Also in Cusco, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks: $18
  • Cusco Pub Crawl: Cusco Bar Hopping Experience : $18
  • Cusco Pub Crawl: Bar Tour, Drinks And Club with no waiting lines: $19
  • Cusco Pub Crawl: $25
  • Pisco and wine tour in the Majes Valley: $50


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paracas and Cusco, we can see that Paracas is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cusco would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cusco 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 Cusco.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Paracas Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Paracas or Cusco?

Cusco has a larger population, and is about 260 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of Paracas and Cusco, 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.