Which place is cheaper, Lima or Quito?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Quito or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Quito or Lima? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Quito or Lima?
Quito
Nestled between two mountain ranges lies the world's highest capital city, Quito, Ecuador. For history lovers, Quito is a very desirable destination as it's home to the Quito Historic Center – one of the largest and best-preserved historic centers in the Americas.
Even though Quito is full of people – in fact, it's the second most populous city in the country – very few of its inhabitants speak English. Luckily, however, the citizens of Quito tend to speak a slower and more clear Spanish than surrounding areas. This is the perfect place to practice what you read in your Intro to Spanish book.
Before visiting Quito, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, give yourself a few days to grow accustomed to the elevation. Staying 9,350 feet above sea level takes some getting used to. Second, don't be fooled into thinking that just because you're visiting a town on the equator that you'll need all your summer clothes. Because of the city's elevation, the area keeps a relatively cool climate year round.
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 Ecuador, The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQuito $52Lima $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Quito is $52, while the average daily cost in Lima is $77. 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 Quito and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQuito $22Lima $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQuito $44Lima $98
Compare Hotels in Quito and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Quito 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: Quito Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Quito $6.99Lima $5.73
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Quito
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Quito:
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Taxi from Bus Terminal to Hotel$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quito
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quito:
- Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $20
- Quito Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel: $20
- Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $21
- Quito to Quilotoa Transfer in Fantasy Bus: $25
- Quito to Baños Transfer in Fantasy Bus: $25
- Quito to Cotopaxi in Transfer in Fantasy Bus: $25
- Private Transfer IN or OUT Hotel-Aiport Quito or Aiport-Hotel : $25
- Private Transfer from Quito Airport : $25
- Transfer In / Out Quito: $25
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
- Quito PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport: $28
- Unique Quito Transfer Mariscal Sucre Airport to Hotel: $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Short Taxi Ride$4.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Airport Transfer Service in Lima: $95
- Assistance /Transfer Hotel - Airport Lima Airport : $40
- From The Larco Museum Complete Tour with transfers: $52
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival Private Transfer : $30
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $61
- Jorge Chavez International Airport: Private Transfer: $25
- Lima : Private transfer between airport to your destination: $29
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
- Lima Airport Transfers: Lima City to Jorge Chavez Airport LIM in Standard Car: $27
- Lima Airport Transfers: Lima City to Jorge Chavez Airport LIM in Standard Van: $30
- Lima Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Lima city center: $6.00
- Lima Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Miraflores: $5.63
Is it cheaper to fly into Quito or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Quito 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 dayQuito $20Lima $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quito.
- Old Town Highlights & Food Tour: $35
- 3 Hours Local Food Tour in Quito: $39
- Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
- Cooking class In-home space: $75
- Homemade Local Food Tour in Guayaquil: $80
- Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
- Jacchigua Show Including Dinner + Transfer: $92
- Ecuadorian Cooking Class and Local Market Tour: $114
- Ecuadorian Cooking Classes Rooftop (English): $120
- Premium Cooking Class Quito Tour: $130
- Quito Private & All Inclusive Cooking Class with Certified Chef: $235
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.34
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Ice cream$3.53
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Coffee$2.99
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Donut$0.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Market Food Tour: $33
- Lima Market Food Tour: $34
- Lima Market Food Tour - Taste 9 Popular Peruvian Snacks: $35
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
- Lima Night Food Tour: $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Quito $16Lima $8.66
Typical Entertainment Prices in Quito
Here are a few typical costs in Quito for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to Guyasimine Museum for Two$8.00
Tours and Activities in Quito
Here are a few actual costs in Quito for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Skip the Line: La Compañia Church Admission Ticket: $5.50
- Skip the Line: Capilla del Hombre and Guayasamin's Museum Ticket: $10
- Middle of the World shuttle Tour: $14
- 2.5-Hour City Bus Tour: $15
- Quito City Tour Double Decker Bus: $15
- Middle of the World Tour with Tickets: $19
- Pululuahua Reserve & Museo del Sol Tour - "Small Group": $20
- 1914 Original Trolley City Tour: $20
- Guided City Tour with Tastings and Box Lunch: $25
- Shared tour of the historic center of Quito in small groups: $25
- Middle of the World Tour With Tickets - "Small Group": $25
- Intiñan Museum Small-Group Tour: $25
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)$16
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Movie Tickets$2.31
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Free Walking Tour of Lima: $2.00
- Customize your trip to Peru with Lima Experience: $12
- bike tour: $12
- Party tour Fridays Barranco / Saturdays Miraflores: $18
- Private Bike Tour in Lima: $19
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
- Private Tour with guide in Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI: $20
- 2 Hour Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $20
- Lima Downtown Tour from Miraflores in 3 hrs: $21
- Coffee tasting experience at Terrua Cafe: $25
- Historic Center Walking Tour with Pisco Sour Tasting: $25
- City Sightseeing Panoramic Bus Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQuito $17Lima $5.63
Typical Alcohol Prices in Quito
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Quito from other travelers:
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Beers for Two$9.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Quito
Also in Quito, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Ecuador Spirit Craft Brewery Tasting and Latitude 0 Private Tour: $130
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$7.30
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Beer$4.07
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Cocktail$3.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $17
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $18
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Party Tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl and Drinks: $18
- Party tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
- Local Wine Tour: $50
- Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Oasis + Wine Tour !! The best price: $226
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quito and Lima, we can see that Lima is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Quito would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Quito 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 Quito.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Quito Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Quito or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Quito. When comparing the sizes of Quito 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.