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

Should you visit Petra or Lima?

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 Petra and Lima can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Petra or Lima?

Petra

Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.

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 The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Lima or Petra?

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 Petra is $153, while the average daily cost in Lima is $98. 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 Petra and Lima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Petra $59
    Lima $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Petra $118
    Lima $108
Compare Hotels in Petra and Lima

Looking for a hotel in Petra 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 Petra


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: Petra Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Petra $23
    Lima $6.25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:

  • Petra to Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
  • Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
  • Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional: $99
  • Petra Private Transfer To Aqaba: $100
  • Comfortable and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Wadi Rum: $100
  • Petra Private Transfer To Multiple Destinations: $115
  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
  • Private Transfers from Petra Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $176
  • Fast and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Ma’in Hot Springs: $180
  • Petra Private Transfer To Jerusalem: $290

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $5.92
  • Taxi Ride
    $5.92
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $4.44

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:

  • QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.95
  • Mc transfer Peru: $7.50
  • SHARED AIRPORT TRANSFER - From or To Lima Airport: $11
  • Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport to Hotels in Lima: $16
  • Private Transfer from Callao Cruise Port to Lima City hotels: $16
  • Private Transfer from Callao Port to Lima Airport (LIM): $16
  • Private Transfer from Lima City Hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $16
  • Private Transfer from Lima Airport (LIM): $17
  • Private Airport Transfer to Miraflores San Isidro and Barranco: $18
  • Private Transfer from Callao Cruise Port to Lima city hotels: $18
  • Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $18
  • Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Callao Port: $18

Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Lima?

Prices for flights to both Lima and Petra 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
    Petra $66
    Lima $33
Typical Food Prices in Petra

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


  • Dinner for Two
    $12
  • Juice
    $1.76

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra

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

  • Authentic Jordanian Cooking, Taste of Comfort With Family: $28
  • Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains.: $50
  • Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $150

Typical Food Prices in Lima

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


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.74
  • Ice cream
    $3.85
  • Coffee
    $3.26
  • Donut
    $1.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima

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

  • Food Tours on the Forbidden Side of Lima with Elite DRONE FOOTAGE: $2.50
  • Local Food Tour at an Iconic Market!!: $24
  • Private Churros Cooking Class, Miraflores & Hotel Pickup: $43
  • Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
  • Miraflores Cooking Class Ceviche, Tartar & Pisco Sour: $45
  • Dinner with Folkloric Show at Casa Tambo Restaurant: $46
  • #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $49
  • Lima Street Food Tour : Try the best Peruvian street food: $49
  • Lima Food Tour & Market Experience: 13 Peruvian Bites: $50
  • Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $50
  • Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $55
  • Limeno Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Petra $47
    Lima $9.44
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra

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


  • Entry to Petra for One
    $71

Tours and Activities in Petra

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

  • Self Guided Tour of Petra Main Trail with App (No Tickets): $8.99
  • Guided 3 Hour Tour of Petra's Iconic Landmarks: $60
  • Private Guided Tour in Petra with licensed guide: $70
  • Private 3-Hour Guided Tour of Petra with Hotel Pickup .: $75
  • Private Multilingual Guided Tour in Petra: $90
  • Tour Jordan: Private Driver – Customized Travel Experience!: $95
  • Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $100
  • Petra Highlight Tour with Private Guide Sami Nawafleh | 2.5 Hours: $120
  • 6 Hours Private Tour in Petra: $125
  • Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $130
  • Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
  • 3-Hour Private Petra Tour: Siq, Treasury & Qasr Al-Bint: $145

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)
    $18
  • Movie Tickets
    $2.52

Tours and Activities in Lima

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

  • Adventure at the Airport of Peru: $10
  • Lima Cathedral Museum Entrance Ticket: $10
  • TOP Lima : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $12
  • Walking Tour to Miraflores and Barranco with a beer: $15
  • Miraflores Guided Walking Tour and Surquillo Market Experience: $15
  • Private Beach Guided Bike Tour in Lima: $19
  • Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
  • Historic Lima & Catacombs Tour with Optional Pickup: $19
  • GABRIEL | Peruvian Coffee Tasting Experience in Lima: $20
  • Colorful Barranco Tour and Street Art: $20
  • A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20
  • Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $21

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Petra $15
    Lima $6.14

Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima

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


  • Bottle of Wine
    $7.96
  • Beer
    $4.44
  • Cocktail
    $3.55

Sample the Local Flavors in Lima

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:

  • Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
  • Discover Barranco's Nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
  • Discover Miraflores nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $24
  • Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $24
  • Lima Nightlife Tour & Society – Cultural Pub Crawl: $50


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Lima, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Lima is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Petra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Petra than you might in Lima.

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


Which is Bigger, Petra or Lima?

Lima has a larger population, and is about 550 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra 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.


When is the best time to visit Petra or Lima?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Petra or Lima in the Summer?

Both Lima and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In July, Petra usually receives less rain than Lima. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Petra. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Petra gets 384 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.

The heat can be very extreme in Petra. In the summer, Petra is much warmer than Lima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Petra in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Lima averages at about 18°C (64°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Petra 33°C (91°F) 
    Lima 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Petra or Lima in the Autumn?

Both Lima and Petra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.

Petra usually gets less rain in October than Lima. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Petra. In the autumn, Petra often gets more sunshine than Lima. Petra gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.

In October, Petra is generally a little warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 27°C (80°F), and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Petra 27°C (80°F) 
    Lima 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Petra or Lima in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Lima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Petra usually receives more rain than Lima. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In Petra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Lima during winter. Petra gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.

Petra is much colder than Lima in the winter. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 15°C (59°F) in January, and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Petra 15°C (59°F) 
    Lima 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Petra or Lima in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Petra as well as Lima. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.

Petra usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Petra this time of the year. In the spring, Petra often gets more sunshine than Lima. Petra gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.

In the spring, Petra is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Petra in April average around 25°C (76°F), and Lima averages at about 22°C (72°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Petra 25°C (76°F) 
    Lima 22°C (72°F)

Typical Weather for Lima and Petra

Petra Lima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 15°C (59°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 17°C (62°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 25°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Jun 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 19°C (66°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 18°C (64°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 32°C (90°F) 0 mm (0 in) 17°C (63°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Sep 30°C (87°F) 0 mm (0 in) 18°C (64°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 7 mm (0.3 in)
Nov 21°C (70°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 20°C (68°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Dec 16°C (62°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)