Which place is cheaper, Lima or Pokhara?
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 Pokhara 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 Pokhara and Lima can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pokhara or Lima?
Pokhara
Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is strategically located near the popular Annapurna Circuit. The Annapurna Circuit, or the "Apple Pie Trail", is a popular trek through the Annapurna Valley that makes a circular route through stunning mountainous landscapes. Several other trekking options can be found in this region, too. Many people use Pohkara as a place to prepare or recover from their recently completed treks because it is less intimidating than the larger city of Kathmandu.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Pokhara Prices
Nepal PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPokhara $22Lima $97
The average daily cost (per person) in Pokhara is $22, while the average daily cost in Lima is $97. 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 Pokhara and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPokhara $3.42Lima $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPokhara $6.84Lima $106
Compare Hotels in Pokhara and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Pokhara 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: Pokhara Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pokhara $6.67Lima $6.21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pokhara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Pokhara:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:
- Airport Transfer by Private Car: $11
- Transfer To Kathmandu (VIP Sofa Tourist Bus) & Back: $12
- Pokhara Airport Shuttles & Private Transfer: $15
- Pokhara ↔️ Kathmandu: VIP Luxury Sofa Bus Transfer (Rainbow): $16
- Annapurna Foothills Day Hike with Transfers: $38
- Intercity transfer by private car all over Nepal: $54
- From Private Car Transfer To Chitwan: $59
- Comfortable Private Transfer from Pokhara to Chitwan: $66
- Private Transfer:- Pokhara to Chitwan (Sauraha) by car: $68
- Half Day Pokhara White Water River Rafting with Hotel Transfers: $70
- White Water Rafting Half Day with Hotel Transfers: $70
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu ↔ Pokhara by Car, Jeep & Hiace: $73
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.88
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Taxi Ride$5.88
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Short Taxi Ride$4.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Airport Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport LIM to Lima by Sedan: $51
- Deluxe Car Lima Transfer - Private Service: $29
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- LIMA AIRPORT SHUTTLE - Shared Transfer: $13
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores city - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Lima Airport Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- Lima Airport Arrival Transfer: $23
- Lima Airport Departure Transfer: $22
- Lima Airport Luxury Arrival or Departure Transfer: $163
- Lima Airport Transfers by SUV/Van: $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Pokhara or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Pokhara 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 dayPokhara $12Lima $33
Typical Food Prices in Pokhara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:
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Dinner for Two$3.93
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Dessert (for 2)$2.62
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Pastries$1.31
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Dinner$5.57
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pokhara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pokhara.
- Nepali cultural dinner night in Pokhara: $21
- Nepalese Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class (Cook with Delight): $25
- Nepali Nights: Dinner & Cultural Dance Delight in Pokhara: $26
- MoMo or Dal Bhat Cooking Class at Aama Kitchen in Pokhara: $29
- Nepalese Kitchen in Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class: $29
- 3 Hour MoMo cooking class: $31
- Nepali Cooking Class and Momo Making Workshop: $42
- 3 Hour Authentic Nepali Thakali Dish Cooking Class: $45
- Pokhara Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path and Local Food Tour: $50
- 2 hours Momo cooking class in Pokhara: $60
- 3 Hours Momo Cooking class in Pokhara: $70
- 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.71
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Ice cream$3.82
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Coffee$3.23
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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.
- Food tours on the forbidden side of Lima (Min. 3 Guests – Max. 6): $5.00
- Miraflores Cooking Class Ceviche, Tartar & Pisco Sour: $45
- Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
- Dinner at Mangos Larcomar Restaurant: $48
- Lima Street Food Tour : Try the best Peruvian street food: $49
- Private Churros Cooking Class, Miraflores & Hotel Pickup: $50
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $50
- Private Cooking Class in Causa & Lomo Saltado: $55
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- Lima Market Food Tour: $65
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $67
- Water Magic Circuit, Downtown and Street Food Tour: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pokhara $6.35Lima $9.38
Tours and Activities in Pokhara
Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sarangkot Sunrise with Half or Full-Day City Tour: $7.47
- From Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour: $7.84
- Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas: Tour 3 hour private tour: $9.16
- Quick Devi’s Water Fall Tour: $9.26
- Guided Evening Walking Tour in Lakeside: $9.52
- Visit Best Seven Tourist Destination by Sharing Bus: $9.52
- City Sightseeing Group Budget Bus Tour: $10
- Paragliding, Bungy Jump and Zipline Combo Adventure: $10
- City Sightseeing Group Bus Tour: $10
- Pokhara City Tour in Sharing Bus: $10
- Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas Group Joining Tour: $10
- Pokhara to Kathmandu VIP Sofa Tourist Bus | Daily Departure: $11
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$2.50
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Miraflores Guided Walking Tour and Surquillo Market Experience: $5.00
- Adventure at the Airport of Peru: $10
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
- Private Beach Guided Bike Tour in Lima: $19
- Tour around Lima City: $20
- A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20
- Colorful Barranco Tour and Street Art: $20
- City Tour in Lima: $23
- Miraflores & Barranco Bike Tour with Local Guide: $25
- Water Magic Circuit Lima Night Tour by Panoramic Bus: $25
- Huaca Pucllana Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPokhara $5.73Lima $6.10
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$7.91
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Beer$4.41
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Cocktail$3.53
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $22
- Discover Miraflores nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $24
- Local Wine Tour: $77
- From Lima Paracas and Huacachina Oasis Dunes and Wine Tour: $89
- From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
- Full Day Paracas, Huacachina and Wine Tasting from Lima: $139
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pokhara and Lima, we can see that Lima is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pokhara 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 Pokhara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pokhara 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 Pokhara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pokhara Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pokhara or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Pokhara. When comparing the sizes of Pokhara 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.
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.