Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Paracas?
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 Paracas or Machu Picchu?
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 Machu Picchu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Paracas or Machu Picchu?
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.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a site of ancient Inca ruins located about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Cuzco, Peru, in the Cordillera de Vilcabamba of the Andes Mountains. It is perched above the Urubamba River valley in a narrow saddle between two sharp peaks, Machu Picchu ("Old Peak") and Huayna Picchu ("New Peak"), at an elevation of 7,710 feet (2,350 metres). One of the few major pre-Columbian ruins found nearly intact, Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Thus, Machu Picchu is not only an impressive remnant of the Inca civilization, it is also one of the world's most important archaeological sites. A stop at Machu Picchu is an essential part of any traveler's itinerary in Peru, as it is one of the seven wonders of the world.
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.
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Paracas Prices
Peru PricesMachu Picchu Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayParacas $81Machu Picchu $117
The average daily cost (per person) in Paracas is $81, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is $117. 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 Machu Picchu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personParacas $23Machu Picchu $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomParacas $46Machu Picchu $84
Compare Hotels in Paracas and Machu Picchu
Looking for a hotel in Paracas or Machu Picchu? 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: Paracas Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Paracas $19Machu Picchu $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:
- Direct Private Transfer From Paracas to Lima, English Speaking Driver: $261
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $214
- Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $214
- From Lima: Paracas and Huacachina Day Trip with Transfers: $139
- Lima: Private taxi transfer from Lima airport to Paracas: $129
- From Lima: Paracas and Huacachina Day Trip with Transfers: $89
- Private Transfer From San Juan Airport (SJU) to /from San Juan: $44
- Paracas Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
- Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Paracas or Machu Picchu?
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu 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
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Food Meals for one dayParacas $40Machu Picchu $34
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Paracas $25Machu Picchu $75
Tours and Activities in Paracas
Here are a few actual costs in Paracas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 day tour to Ballestas Islands and Paracas National Reserve: $38
- 2 Epic Days: Paracas, Adventure in Huacachina, and Flight in Nazca: $380
- 2-Hour Ballestas Islands Tour by modern boat: $20
- 2-Hour Tour to the Ballestas Islands from Puerto San Martín: $49
- 3-Day Classic Paracas Tour Package: $245
- 4-Hour Guided Tour Paracas National Reserve: $20
- 7-Hours Tour in Paracas National Reserve with Pickup: $38
- ATV Tour Adventure in Reserva Nacional de Paracas: $35
- Adventure in the Paracas National Reserve in private: $30
- BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $16
- Ballestas Islands Boat Tour for Pisco Cruise Travelers: $32
- Ballestas Islands Group Tour from Paracas : $26
Typical Entertainment Prices in Machu Picchu
For Machu Picchu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Gardens of Mandor$2.75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayParacas $11Machu Picchu $7.00
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paracas and Machu Picchu, we can see that Machu Picchu is more expensive. And not only is Paracas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Paracas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Paracas 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 Machu Picchu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Machu Picchu than you might in Paracas.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Paracas Expensive? and Is Machu Picchu Expensive?.
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.