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

Should you visit Pereira or Paracas?

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 Paracas. 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 Paracas?

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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Paracas or Pereira?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pereira is $66, while the average daily cost in Paracas is $63. 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 Paracas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pereira $27
    Paracas $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pereira $54
    Paracas $44
Compare Hotels in Pereira and Paracas

Looking for a hotel in Pereira or Paracas? 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 Paracas


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 Paracas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pereira $21
    Paracas $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pereira

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


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $1.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pereira

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pereira:

  • Private Transfer Pereira to Salento (or vice versa): $59
  • Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer La Nubia Airport: $20
  • Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer: Matecaña Airport: $46
  • Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer: Matecaña Intl Airport: $41
  • One way transfer from Pereira to Salento AND/OR Salento to Pereira: $43
  • One-Way Private Transfer from Matecaña Airport: $12
  • Santa Rosa Cabal to Pereira Airport PEI - Departure Transfer: $63

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:

  • Direct Private Transfer From Paracas to Lima, English Speaking Driver: $163
  • Lima: Private taxi transfer from Lima airport to Paracas: $129
  • Oneway Transfer from San Juan Airport, Hotel, Airbnb to Bayamon: $60
  • Paracas Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
  • Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
  • Private Transfer From Paracas To Lima With 2 Stops: $175
  • Private Transfer From San Juan Airport (SJU) to /from San Juan: $44
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels: $78
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $87
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $78
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $87
  • Private Transfer from Pisko Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels: $87

Is it cheaper to fly into Pereira or Paracas?

Prices for flights to both Paracas 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 $23
    Paracas $23
Typical Food Prices in Pereira

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


  • Hamburger
    $1.70

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pereira

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

  • Private Traditional Colombian Cooking Class in Pereira: $82

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paracas

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

  • From Lima Ballestas Islands, Ica and cooking class Ceviche: $139

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pereira $19
    Paracas $25

Tours and Activities in Pereira

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

  • Coffee Tour at the Finca del Café: $40
  • City Tour Historic Center of Manizales in Caldas: $46
  • Santa Rita Waterfall and Salento Hike Tour: $48
  • Filandia and Salento Coffee Towns Tour: $57
  • Cocora Valley and Salento Hike Tour: $79
  • Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour with Lunch: $87
  • Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour with Lunch: $93
  • Paratrike experience over the sky of Colombia: $95
  • Coffee Heritage, A multisensory experience: $100
  • Filandia, Salento and Cocora Valley Tour: $100
  • Tour to hot springs of Santa Rosa from Pereira, Armenia or Salento: $104
  • Private Tour of Chocolate Plantation and Processing: $113

Tours and Activities in Paracas

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

  • From Ballestas Islands Guided Boat Tour: $20
  • 4-Hour Guided Tour Paracas National Reserve: $20
  • Ballestas Islands Morning Boat Tour: $20
  • Boat Tour of the Ballestas Islands in Paracas: $20
  • Ballestas Islands Sightseeing Boat Ride from Paracas: $24
  • Ballestas Islands Tour: $24
  • Islas Ballestas Boat Tour - The Galapagos of Peru: $25
  • Ballestas Islands Tour - Paracas: $25
  • From Scenic Boat Tour to Ballestas Island: $25
  • Ballestas Islands Group Tour from Paracas : $26
  • From Ballestas Islands Guided Tour: $26
  • Ica: Ballestas Island Adventure | Watch Sea Lions: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pereira $14
    Paracas $11


When comparing the travel costs between Pereira and Paracas, we can see that Pereira is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Pereira or Paracas?

Pereira has a larger population, and is about 370 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of Pereira and Paracas, 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.