Which place is cheaper, Lima or Phuket?
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 Phuket or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Lima, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Phuket or Lima?
Phuket
Phuket Island is the holiday gem of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Phuket Prices
Thailand PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $134Lima $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $134, 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 Phuket and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $62Lima $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $124Lima $108
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Phuket 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.
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: Phuket Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phuket $12Lima $6.24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
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Longtail Taxi (for Two)$9.12
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Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$7.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- Phuket Airport Transfer (SHA Plus): $15
- Phuket Private Transfer from/to Phuket Airport HKT (one way): $16
- One Way Cruise Transfer from Phuket to Phi Phi – Multiple Classes: $17
- Phuket Airport Arrival Transfer – Domestic & International: $19
- Phuket Private Transfer To or From Phuket Hotel by Van & WiFi: $19
- Phuket Int Airport (HKT) to Phuket - Arrival Private Transfer: $20
- Phuket Hotel to Airport Shared Departure Transfer: $22
- Private PHUKET Arrival Transfer - Phuket Airport to Phuket Hotels: $22
- Phuket Hotel to Airport Shared Arrival Transfer: $22
- Private Transfer from Phuket city hotels to Phuket Cruise Port: $22
- Private Transfer from Phuket Cruise Port to Phuket city hotels: $22
- Private Transfer from Phuket Airport (HKT) to Phuket Cruise Port: $22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.91
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Taxi Ride$5.91
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Short Taxi Ride$4.43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Guided Assistance -Hassle-free service -Airport -Hotel transfers: $30
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $42
- LIMA AIRPORT SHUTTLE - Shared Transfer: $13
- LIMA CAR TRANSFER - Private Service: $29
- Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer: $160
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $47
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores city - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Lima Airport : Bus transfer to/from Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco: $11
- Lima Airport Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- Lima Airport Arrival Transfer: $23
- Lima Airport Luxury Arrival or Departure Transfer: $163
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Phuket 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 dayPhuket $42Lima $33
Typical Food Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$8.79
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.17
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$13
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Thai Noodles$2.74
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Bananas$0.76
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Pizza (for Two)$9.12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- Phuket City Tour with Sunset and Thai Cooking: $49
- Phuket 10+ Tastings Food Tour & Charming Old Town: $52
- 3-Hour Authentic Thai Cooking Experience: $53
- Phuket Express Thai Cooking Course with Authentic Recipes: $53
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class by Suuko Wellness Spa: $56
- Simply Thai Cooking Experience: $56
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $58
- Phuket Coral Island and Sunset Dinner by Luxury Catamaran: $59
- Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Phuket City Tour with Phothong Ride and Cooking Class: $59
- Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour Option: $62
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $62
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.73
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Ice cream$3.84
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Coffee$3.25
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Donut$1.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Dinner at Café del Museo Larco restaurant: $30
- Lima : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $36
- Culinary Experience with Pizzas - Barranco: $39
- #1 Rated Cooking Class with Best Dishes & Pisco Sour: $44
- Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
- Dinner with Folkloric Show at Casa Tambo Restaurant: $46
- Miraflores: Amazing Peruvian Cooking Class – Ceviche, Seafood, and Pisco Sour: $47
- Market Tour and Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $47
- Dinner at Mangos Larcomar Restaurant: $48
- Dinner at Mangos Larcomar Restaurant: $48
- 4h Cooking Class in Iconic Dishes & Bottomless Drinks: $50
- Private Cooking Class in Causa & Lomo Saltado: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $47Lima $9.43
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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One Day Boat Tour$27
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Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$76
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Thai Oil Massage$19
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Surfboard Rental$9.12
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Phuket Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Self Guided Scavenger Hunts and Gamified Tours: $6.21
- Phuket Self Guided Island Tour: $8.15
- Phuket Tour with Wat Chalong, Karon View Point, Old Town: $15
- Feed Me Banana Elephant Experience Short Activity: $16
- Phuket Circus : The Adrenaline Rush Show Tickets (Aqua Circus): $17
- Ultimate Virtual Reality Gaming Park Ticket at VAR Live in Phuket: $18
- Phuket Bird Park Admission Ticket: $18
- Half Day Phuket City tour + Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off: $19
- Phuket City Discovery Tour with Chalong Temple and Coastal Views: $19
- Phang Nga Bay Skywalk at Samet Nangshe Admission Ticket: $20
- Phuket to Koh Phi Phi by Phi Phi Cruiser: $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$18
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Movie Tickets$2.51
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Miraflores: Local Walking Tour & Free eBook: $1.10
- Historical Center Guided Walking Tour for Tips: $1.14
- Tour a pie con Guía Local por el Centro Histórico: $2.00
- Barranco Walking Tour – Street Art & Photo Stops: $2.00
- Historic Center Walking Tour with Guide: $2.00
- Barranco Tour: Street Art and Hot Spots: $10
- Lima Cathedral Museum Entrance Ticket: $10
- Catch, Review, Improve: Lima Surf Coaching Experience: $10
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Miraflores and Barranco Walking Tour with Beer: $15
- Walking Tour in the Historical Centre and China Town: $18
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $7.08Lima $6.13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
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Cocktails (for Two)$6.08
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Beer$2.58
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Rooftop, Bars, GoGo & 3 Clubs with Shots: $19
- Phuket Guided Pub Crawl: $29
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience and Lunch: $53
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $87
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $135
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple: $172
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.95
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Beer$4.43
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Cocktail$3.55
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Pub Crawl with Free Shots and Club Entry: $5.00
- Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
- Pub Crawl Social Drinks in Barranco & Miraflores: $18
- Barranco's Nightlife Tour with Bar Crawl & Free Shots: $20
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $22
- Miraflores Nightlife Tour with Bar Crawl & Free Shots: $24
- Bar Crawl Night Tour in Miraflores: $38
- Lima Nightlife Tour & Society – Cultural Pub Crawl: $50
- Peruvian Wine Tasting in an Exclusive Setting: $94
- From Huacachina Sandboarding and Wine Tasting Day Trip: $105
- From Huacachina Sandboarding and Wine Tasting Tour: $105
- From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Lima, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Phuket is in Asia 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 Phuket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phuket 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 Phuket Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket 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 Phuket 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 Phuket or Lima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Lima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Phuket usually receives more rain than Lima. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Phuket is generally much warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPhuket 28°C (82°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Lima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Lima. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Also, December to March in Phuket is the dry season. June to October in Phuket is the rainy season. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Phuket usually gets more rain in October than Lima. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Lima. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.
Phuket is a little warmer than Lima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPhuket 27°C (81°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Lima in the Winter?
Both Lima and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Phuket is December to March. In January, Phuket usually receives more rain than Lima. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Lima during winter. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Phuket is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Phuket in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Lima averages at about 23°C (73°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPhuket 28°C (82°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Lima in the Spring?
Both Lima and Phuket during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Phuket. In the spring, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Lima. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.
In April, Phuket is generally a little warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 29°C (84°F), and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPhuket 29°C (84°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Phuket
| Phuket | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
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.