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

Should you visit Riga or Lima?

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

Should I visit Riga 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: Riga or Lima?

Riga

Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.

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


Which place is cheaper, Lima or Riga?

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 Riga is €122, while the average daily cost in Lima is €85. 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 Riga and Lima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Riga 52
    Lima 47
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Riga 104
    Lima 94
Compare Hotels in Riga and Lima

Looking for a hotel in Riga 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 Riga


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: Riga Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Riga 9.63
    Lima 5.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:

  • Canal and River Cruise with Old Town Transfer: $20
  • Riga Airport Private Transfer - private group 1 to 8 pax: $23
  • Private Transfer from Riga International Airport RIX to Riga City: $38
  • Riga Airport to Hotel Transfer: $44
  • Private Transfer Riga International Airport RIX to Jurmala City: $51
  • Transfer from Riga Airport to Riga Old city: $52
  • Transfer from Riga center to Airport: $52
  • Riga Airport to Riga City - Private Transfer: $56
  • Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer: $56
  • Private Transfer from Riga Cruise Port to Riga Airport (RIX): $59
  • Private transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga city by Car or Van: $72
  • Departure Transfer from Riga to Riga Airport RIX by Car or Van: $72

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    5.13
  • Taxi Ride
    5.13
  • Short Taxi Ride
    3.85

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:

  • QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.95
  • Mc transfer Peru: $7.50
  • SHARED AIRPORT TRANSFER - From or To Lima Airport: $11
  • Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport to Hotels in Lima: $16
  • Private Transfer from Lima City Hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $16
  • Private Transfer from Callao Port to Lima Airport (LIM): $16
  • Private Transfer from Callao Cruise Port to Lima City hotels: $16
  • Private Transfer from Lima Airport (LIM): $17
  • Private Airport Transfer to Miraflores San Isidro and Barranco: $18
  • Private Transfer from Callao Cruise Port to Lima city hotels: $18
  • Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $18
  • Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Callao Port: $18

Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Lima?

Prices for flights to both Lima and Riga 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
    Riga 57
    Lima 29
Typical Food Prices in Riga

Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:


  • Fast Food Lunch
    5.77

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.

  • Riga Central Market Food Tour with Guide & Tastings ENG, DE: $26
  • Central Market Latvian Food Tour with 20 taste samples: $52
  • Khinkali and Pelmeni Cooking Master Class: $69
  • Latvian Cooking Class in a Local Home: $114
  • Riga Medieval Dinner: $127
  • Riga Medieval Dinner: $128
  • Traditional Latvian Dinner with Private Folk Show: $248

Typical Food Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:


  • Lunch for Two
    4.10
  • Ice cream
    3.34
  • Coffee
    2.82
  • Donut
    0.90

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 with Elite DRONE FOOTAGE: $2.50
  • Local Food Tour at an Iconic Market!!: $24
  • Private Churros Cooking Class, Miraflores & Hotel Pickup: $43
  • Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
  • Miraflores Cooking Class Ceviche, Tartar & Pisco Sour: $45
  • Dinner with Folkloric Show at Casa Tambo Restaurant: $46
  • #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $49
  • Lima Street Food Tour : Try the best Peruvian street food: $49
  • Lima Food Tour & Market Experience: 13 Peruvian Bites: $50
  • Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $50
  • Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $55
  • Limeno Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Riga 14
    Lima 8.19

Tours and Activities in Riga

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:

  • Historic Canal Boat Tour with Audio Guide: $8.23
  • Panorama Riga Observation Deck Ticket: $9.22
  • Historic Canal Boat Tour with Audio Guide: $10
  • Audio Tour of Riga Old Town: $12
  • Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads: $12
  • Old Town E-Bus Tour with Audio Guide: $12
  • Old Town Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $12
  • Old Riga E-Bus Tour with Audio Guide, 45 min: $12
  • Old Riga Walking Tour: Stories and Legends ENG/DE/ESP: $12
  • Top Panorama Cruise With Bar,WiFi and audioguide: $13
  • Admission Ticket to Live Silver Museum: $13
  • Canal & River Electric Boat Tour with Audio Guide: $14

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)
    15
  • Movie Tickets
    2.18

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
  • TOP Lima : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $12
  • Walking Tour to Miraflores and Barranco with a beer: $15
  • Miraflores Guided Walking Tour and Surquillo Market Experience: $15
  • Private Beach Guided Bike Tour in Lima: $19
  • Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
  • Historic Lima & Catacombs Tour with Optional Pickup: $19
  • GABRIEL | Peruvian Coffee Tasting Experience in Lima: $20
  • Colorful Barranco Tour and Street Art: $20
  • A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20
  • Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $21

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Riga 20
    Lima 5.32

Sample the Local Flavors in Riga

Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $29
  • Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
  • Brewery Tour with Beer and Riga Balsam Tasting: $32
  • Combo Brewery Tour + Canal Boat tour: $39
  • 2 in 1 - Old Town Walking Tour & Pub Crawl: $40
  • Private - Riga Pub Crawl: $40
  • Riga 2 in 1 Tour: Art Nouveau Tour & Pub Crawl: $45
  • Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $50
  • Game Night & Pub Crawl: $51
  • Authentic Latvian Brewery Beer Tasting & Riga Highlight Tour: $51
  • Pub Crawl for 50+ with Folk Clubs & Authentic Bars: $52
  • Latvian Brewery Visit & 5 Beer tasting: $52

Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:


  • Bottle of Wine
    6.90
  • Beer
    3.85
  • Cocktail
    3.08

Sample the Local Flavors in Lima

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:

  • Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
  • Discover Barranco's Nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
  • Discover Miraflores nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $24
  • Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $24
  • Lima Nightlife Tour & Society – Cultural Pub Crawl: $50


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Lima, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Riga is in Europe 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 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 Riga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Riga 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 Riga Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Riga or Lima?

Lima has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Riga. When comparing the sizes of Riga 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 Riga or Lima?

Riga 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 Riga or Lima in the Summer?

Both Lima and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In July, Riga is generally around the same temperature as Lima. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 17°C (63°F), and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In July, Riga usually receives more rain than Lima. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Riga 17°C (63°F) 
    Lima 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Riga or Lima in the Autumn?

Both Lima and Riga during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Riga because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.

Riga is much colder than Lima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Riga usually gets more rain in October than Lima. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Riga 7°C (45°F) 
    Lima 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Riga or Lima in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Lima. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Riga this time of year. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

It's quite cold in Riga in the winter. In the winter, Riga is much colder than Lima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Riga in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Lima averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In January, Riga usually receives more rain than Lima. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Riga -5°C (23°F) 
    Lima 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Riga or Lima in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Riga as well as Lima. Many travelers come to Riga for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.

In April, Riga is generally much colder than Lima. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 5°C (42°F), and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Riga usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Riga 5°C (42°F) 
    Lima 22°C (72°F)

Typical Weather for Lima and Riga

Riga Lima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (23°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Feb -4°C (24°F) 25 mm (1 in) 24°C (75°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar -0°C (31°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 5°C (42°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 20°C (68°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Jun 15°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 76 mm (3 in) 18°C (64°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Oct 7°C (45°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 7 mm (0.3 in)
Nov 2°C (36°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)