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

Should you visit Piriapolis or Lima?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Piriapolis 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: Piriapolis or Lima?

Piriapolis

Piriapolis is a small beach town between Montevideo and Punta del Este in Uruguay. It is a more laid back version of Punta del Este with fewer fancy restaurants and clubs but it has perhaps more charm, with its grand old hotel and beachfront promenade backed by small mountains. The rather old-school coastal resort is vaguely reminiscent of a Mediterranean beach town.

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


Which place is cheaper, Lima or Piriapolis?

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 Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis and Lima in more detail.



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

Looking for a hotel in Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis


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: Piriapolis Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Piriapolis $30
    Lima $6.06

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 Piriapolis or Lima?

Prices for flights to both Lima and Piriapolis 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
    Piriapolis $38
    Lima $32

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.
    Piriapolis $5.68
    Lima $9.15

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
    Piriapolis $7.82
    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 Piriapolis and Lima, we can see that Lima is more expensive. And not only is Piriapolis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Piriapolis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis.

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


Which is Bigger, Piriapolis or Lima?

Lima has a larger population, and is about 970 times larger than the population of Piriapolis. When comparing the sizes of Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis or Lima?

Piriapolis has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Piriapolis or Lima in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Piriapolis and Lima. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Piriapolis is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Piriapolis in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Lima averages at about 18°C (64°F)in July.

In Piriapolis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Piriapolis usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Piriapolis gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Piriapolis usually receives more rain than Limain July. Piriapolis gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Piriapolis 23°C (73°F) 
    Lima 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Piriapolis or Lima in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Piriapolis as well as Lima. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.

In April, Piriapolis is generally cooler than Limain October. Daily temperatures in Piriapolis average around 17°C (63°F), and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Piriapolis often gets more sunshine than Limain October. Piriapolis gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.

Piriapolis usually gets more rain in April than Limain October. Piriapolis gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Piriapolis 17°C (63°F) 
    Lima 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Piriapolis or Lima in the Winter?

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

Piriapolis is much colder than Lima in the winter. The daily temperature in Piriapolis averages around 10°C (50°F) in July, and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in January.

Piriapolis usually receives less sunshine than Lima during winter. Piriapolis gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Piriapolis usually receives more rain than Limain January. Piriapolis gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Piriapolis 10°C (50°F) 
    Lima 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Piriapolis or Lima in the Spring?

Both Lima and Piriapolis during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.

In the spring, Piriapolis is cooler than Lima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Piriapolis in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Lima averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Piriapolis. In the spring, Piriapolis often gets more sunshine than Limain April. Piriapolis gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.

Piriapolis usually gets more rain in October than Limain April. Piriapolis gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Piriapolis 16°C (61°F) 
    Lima 22°C (72°F)

Typical Weather for Lima and Piriapolis

Piriapolis Lima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 23°C (73°F) 75 mm (3 in) 23°C (73°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 24°C (75°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 20°C (68°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Jun 11°C (52°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Jul 10°C (50°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 11°C (52°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 17°C (63°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Sep 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 7 mm (0.3 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)