Which place is cheaper, Lima or Quito?
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 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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Quito Prices
Ecuador PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQuito $66Lima $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Quito is $66, 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 Quito and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQuito $22Lima $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQuito $44Lima $108
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 $6.29
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 Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $20
- Transfer from or to UIO Airport to any Hotel in Quito: $20
- Quito hotels to Mariscal Sucre Quito Airport (UIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
- Quito PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotels: $28
- Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $30
- Custom Transfers Across Ecuador (quote required): $30
- Private Transfer from the Airport to the city: $32
- Private Transfer to Quito airport and hotel: $35
- Private Transfer IN or OUT Hotel-Aiport Quito or Aiport-Hotel: $35
- Private Transfer from/to Airport: $35
- Transfers To and From the Airport in Quito Ecuador: $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.96
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Taxi Ride$5.96
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Short Taxi Ride$4.47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- 3-Day Trip to Lima, hotels & transfers: $165
- Airport Transfer Service in Lima: $95
- Airport Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport LIM to Lima by Sedan: $50
- Deluxe Car Lima Transfer - Private Service: $29
- Direct Private Transfer From Lima to Paracas, English Speaking Driver: $267
- From Lima Private transfer to Paracas: $290
- Guided Assistance -Hassle-free service -Airport -Hotel transfers: $30
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $43
- Larco Museum Complete Guided Tour with Transfers (Small Group): $58
- 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: $24
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 $34Lima $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quito.
- Ecuadorian Gastronomy Tasting and Cooking Class in Quito: $15
- Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
- Quito Kitchens Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- From Cayambe Traditional Cooking Class with Transfers: $60
- The Delicious Side of Quito Food Tour: $70
- Food Tour in quaint old town with tastings and lunch: $71
- Street Food Tour with Private Transport: $79
- Homemade Local Food Tour in Guayaquil: $80
- Hidden Gems Food Tour with Cacao Tasting and Culture: $87
- Cooking Class with Chef, Market Tour & Transportation: $88
- Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
- Cooking Class with a chef and local market including hotel pickup: $89
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.77
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Ice cream$3.87
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Coffee$3.28
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Donut$1.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Private Churros Cooking Class, Miraflores & Hotel Pickup: $43
- Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $44
- Miraflores Cooking Class Ceviche, Tartar & Pisco Sour: $48
- #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $49
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $50
- Lima Food Tour & Market Experience: 13 Peruvian Bites: $50
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- Dinner at the Cala Restaurant in Lima: $63
- Lima Market Food Tour: $65
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $67
- Limeno Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
- Criollo Nights Lima Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Quito $16Lima $9.51
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:
- Quito Old Town Free walking tour English small group Cacao Taste!: $5.00
- Quito Old Town English tour small groups Cacao Taste!: $5.00
- Quito Old Town Walking tour small groups Chocolate taste included: $5.00
- Quito Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h10 and 19 audio reviews: $7.00
- Night Tour in Quito with free time at Old Town: $15
- 2.5-Hour City Bus Tour: $15
- Quito City Tour Double Decker Bus: $15
- Discover the heart of the Historic Center - Walking tour: $25
- Instagram walking tour in Quito's Historic Center: $26
- Quito's Cultural Tour & Indigenous Perspectives of Old Town: $27
- Gastronomic and Cultural Walking Tour of Quito with Tastings: $30
- Walking Tour Quito: $30
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$2.53
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Adventure at the Airport of Peru: $10
- Lima Cathedral Museum Entrance Ticket: $10
- Walking Tour to Miraflores and Barranco with a beer: $15
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
- Historic Lima & Catacombs Tour with Optional Pickup: $19
- City Tour Lima Half Day: $20
- A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20
- Tour in Lima with Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco: $20
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $21
- The Real Lima Tour: Barrios, Local Culture & Flavors: $23
- City Tour in Lima: $23
- Jogging Activity through Tourist Places facing the Sea in Lima: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQuito $17Lima $6.18
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: $155
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$8.01
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Beer$4.47
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Cocktail$3.58
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Discover Barranco's Nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
- Discover Miraflores nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $24
- Bar Crawl Night Tour in Miraflores: $38
- Lima Nightlife Tour & Society – Cultural Pub Crawl: $50
- From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
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.