A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pereira vs. Lima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pereira or Lima?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Pereira and Lima. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Pereira or Lima?

Pereira

Situated in a small valley in the western Andes, Pereira is the capital city of Risaralda, Colombia. The city is surrounded by coffee producing agriculture and sits in the middle of a triangle of cities including Bogota, Medillin and Cali, each of which is about a three to five hour drive away.

The city itself is very much student oriented, as there are many universities around town and at least one quarter of the population is made up of students. There is also a very European vibe to the city and you will find the area beautiful with many parks and museums.

Pereira's economy is based on government, agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, trade, commerce, and tourism. Agricultural products include sugarcane, cacao, rubber, cereals, coffee, and livestock. Apparel is the main manufacturing product, along with aluminium goods, motorcycles and telecommunications technology.

Pereira is found in a warm moorland area with an average temperature of around 72 degrees. The temperatures remain relatively consistent throughout the year with highs in the high 70s Fahrenheit to low 80s Fahrenheit. Low temperatures are usually in the low 60s Fahrenheit. Rain is heaviest during the months of April and May as well as October and November.

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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Lima or Pereira?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Pereira is $81, while the average daily cost in Lima is $95. 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 Pereira and Lima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pereira $26
    Lima $52
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pereira $52
    Lima $104
Compare Hotels in Pereira and Lima

Looking for a hotel in Pereira 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.

Hotels in Pereira


Hotels in Lima


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: Pereira Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pereira $20
    Lima $6.06
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pereira

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Pereira are as follows:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $1.18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pereira

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pereira:

  • Arrival or Departure Transfer Matecaña International Airport: $11
  • Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer La Nubia Airport: $20
  • Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer: Matecaña Intl Airport: $41
  • Arrival or Departure Transfer El Éden International Airport: $42
  • One way transfer Pereira to Santa Rosa Hot Springs: $88
  • PEREIRA/ARMENIA: FULLDAY TRANSFER SALENTO+ FILANDIA + COCORA VALLEY: $144

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $5.73
  • Taxi Ride
    $5.73
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $4.30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:

  • Assistance - Transfer Cusco Airport to Hotel & Viceversa: $40
  • Deluxe Car Lima Transfer - Private Service: $29
  • Direct Private Transfer From Lima to Paracas, English Speaking Driver: $269
  • Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival Private Transfer : $22
  • Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $43
  • LIMA AIRPORT SHUTTLE - Shared Transfer: $13
  • Larco Museum Complete Guided Tour with Transfers (Small Group): $55
  • Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
  • Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores city - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
  • Lima Airport Arrival Transfer: $25
  • Lima Airport Transfers by SUV/Van: $43
  • Lima Bus Station Arrival Transfer: $28

Is it cheaper to fly into Pereira or Lima?

Prices for flights to both Lima and Pereira 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
    Pereira $40
    Lima $32
Typical Food Prices in Pereira

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pereira:


  • Hamburger
    $1.66

Typical Food Prices in Lima

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


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.59
  • Ice cream
    $3.73
  • Coffee
    $3.15
  • Donut
    $1.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima

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

  • Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken: $32
  • Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $40
  • Lima Food Tour - Prepare your Anticuchos and Pisco Sour : $48
  • #1 Reviewed Lima Cooking Class: $49
  • Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $55
  • Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
  • Peru’s Most Beloved Recipes Cooking Class: $58
  • Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
  • Lima Night: Cooking Experience with locals: $65
  • Peruvian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting: $65
  • Vegan Peruvian Food Cooking Class | Ceviche + Pisco Sour: $69
  • 4 iconic restaurants of Lima / 3-hour guided food tour: $69

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pereira $18
    Lima $9.15

Tours and Activities in Pereira

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

  • PRIVATE TOUR OF MAIN SQUARES, HISTORICAL SITES + LOOKOUT POINT: $56
  • Tour to hot springs of Santa Rosa from Pereira, Armenia or Salento: $84
  • Eco-Park Recinto del Pensamiento Tour: $84
  • Manizales City Tour with Cable Car and Chipre Viewpoint : $87
  • Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour: $89
  • Private Tour to the Coffee Park from Pereira or Armenia: $115
  • Tour Santa Rosa hot springs from Pereira, Armenia or Salento: $116
  • Private Tour to Salento and Cocora Valley from Pereira or Armenia: $131
  • Tour to San Vicente hot springs from Pereira, Armenia or Salento: $132
  • Coffee Farm and Santa Rosa Hot Springs Tour from Pereira or Armenia: $149
  • Salento and Cócora Tour plus Coffee Farm from Pereira or Armenia: $158
  • Salento, Cocora and Filandia Tour from Pereira or Armenia: $160

Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima

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


  • Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)
    $17
  • Movie Tickets
    $2.44

Tours and Activities in Lima

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

  • Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
  • Lima City Tour with Baby Alpaca Class and Pisco Tasting: $16
  • Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $18
  • Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
  • Private Bike Tour in Lima: $19
  • Bike Tour Lima: $19
  • Water Magic Circuit Lima Night Tour by Panoramic Bus: $20
  • Tour in Lima with Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco: $20
  • Bohemian and artistic ravine walking tour: $22
  • Lima Half-Day City Walking Tour (Small Groups): $24
  • Pisco Sour experience with mini causitas at República del Pisco: $25
  • Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pereira $14
    Lima $5.95

Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $7.71
  • Beer
    $4.30
  • Cocktail
    $3.44

Sample the Local Flavors in Lima

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:

  • Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $19
  • Bar Crawl Night Tour in Miraflores: $30
  • Local Wine Tour : $55
  • From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
  • Full Day Paracas, Huacachina and Wine Tasting from Lima : $138


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pereira and Lima, we can see that Lima is more expensive. And not only is Pereira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pereira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pereira 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 Lima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lima than you might in Pereira.

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


Which is Bigger, Pereira or Lima?

Lima has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Pereira. When comparing the sizes of Pereira 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.