Which place is cheaper, Lima or Pucon?
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 Pucon or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pucon and Lima can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Pucon or Lima?
Pucon
A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.
Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.
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 2-Week Tours in Chile, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Chile, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Pucon Prices
Chile PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPucon $127Lima $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Pucon is $127, 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 Pucon and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPucon $43Lima $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPucon $86Lima $104
Compare Hotels in Pucon and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Pucon 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: Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pucon $19Lima $6.06
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:
- Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport (ZCO): $84
- Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $98
- Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $267
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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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 Pucon or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Pucon 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 dayPucon $65Lima $32
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.59
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Ice cream$3.73
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Coffee$3.15
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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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pucon $37Lima $9.15
Tours and Activities in Pucon
Here are a few actual costs in Pucon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour in Self-drive Electric Hot Tub Boat Nestled in nature!: $78
- Geometric Thermal Tour with Pickup and Tickets: $120
- Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $124
- Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $125
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)$17
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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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPucon $27Lima $5.95
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$7.71
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Beer$4.30
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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 Pucon and Lima, we can see that Pucon is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Pucon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pucon 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 Pucon Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pucon or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 290 times larger than the population of Pucon. When comparing the sizes of Pucon 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 Pucon or Lima?
Pucon 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 Pucon or Lima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pucon and Lima. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Pucon is cooler than Lima in the summer. The daily temperature in Pucon averages around 16°C (61°F) in January, and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in July.
In Pucon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pucon usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Pucon gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Pucon usually receives more rain than Limain July. Pucon gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPucon 16°C (61°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Pucon or Lima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Pucon as well as Lima. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
In the autumn, Pucon is much colder than Lima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pucon in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Lima averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.
In the autumn, Pucon often gets more sunshine than Limain October. Pucon gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.
Pucon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pucon usually gets more rain in April than Limain October. Pucon gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPucon 11°C (52°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Pucon or Lima in the Winter?
Both Lima and Pucon 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.
In July, Pucon is generally much colder than Limain January. Daily temperatures in Pucon average around 7°C (45°F), and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Pucon usually receives less sunshine than Lima during winter. Pucon gets 66 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Pucon. In July, Pucon usually receives more rain than Limain January. Pucon gets 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPucon 7°C (45°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Pucon or Lima in the Spring?
Both Lima and Pucon during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
Pucon is much colder than Lima in the spring. The daily temperature in Pucon averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in April.
In the spring, Pucon often gets more sunshine than Limain April. Pucon gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. Pucon usually gets more rain in October than Limain April. Pucon gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPucon 11°C (52°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Pucon
| Pucon | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 9°C (48°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 297 mm (11.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 7°C (45°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 8°C (46°F) | 247 mm (9.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 9°C (48°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (60°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.