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.
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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.
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Riga Prices
Latvia PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €122Lima €81
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €122, while the average daily cost in Lima is €81. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €52Lima €44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €104Lima €88
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €9.63Lima €5.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $43
- Riga Airport to Hotel Transfer: $45
- Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City by Minivan: $51
- Private Transfer Riga International Airport RIX to Jurmala City: $51
- Transfer from Riga center to Airport: $53
- Transfer from Riga Airport to Riga Old city: $53
- Riga Airport to Riga City - Private Transfer: $57
- Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer: $57
- Private Transfer to anywhere in Riga Center: $60
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga Cruise Port: $60
- Departure Transfer from Riga to Riga Airport RIX by Car or Van: $68
- Private transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga city by Car or Van: $68
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride€4.88
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Taxi Ride€4.88
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Short Taxi Ride€3.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $5.95
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.95
- LIMA AIRPORT SHUTTLE - Shared Transfer: $13
- Private Transfer from Lima Airport (LIM): $13
- Private Transfer to Lima Airport (LIM): $13
- Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima City Center: $16
- Private Transfer from Lima Airport (LIM) to Callao Port: $17
- Private Transfer from Lima City Hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $17
- Private Airport Transfer to Miraflores San Isidro and Barranco: $18
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
- Private Transfer from Callao Cruise Port to Lima Hotels: $18
- Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Callao Cruise 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
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Food Meals for one dayRiga €57Lima €27
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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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.
- Central Market Traditional Food Tour in a Small Group: $41
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $53
- Khinkali and Pelmeni Cooking Master Class: $70
- Exclusive Igloo for Lunches, Dinners and Events: $72
- Latvian Art Museum, Dinner, and Black Balsam Tasting: $210
- Pizza Making Master Class in Riga: $251
- Traditional Latvian Dinner with Private Folk Show: $252
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two€3.91
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Ice cream€3.17
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Coffee€2.69
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Donut€0.85
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.Riga €14Lima €7.79
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- An audio tour of Old from St Peter's Church to the Monument of Freedom: $6.99
- Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads: $8.21
- Canal Boat Tour with Welcome Drink & Audio Guide: $8.21
- Panorama Riga Observation Deck Ticket: $9.38
- Old Town Electrobus Tour + Audio Guide & Drink: $9.38
- Riga Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.57
- Riga Canal and Daugava Boat Tour with Welcome Drink & Audio Guide: $9.58
- Evening or Sunset Boat Tour with Welcome Drink: $10
- Rowing boats and Pedal boat rental - River Cruises Latvia: $11
- Riga English Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $11
- Evening or Sunset Boat Tour with Drink and Audio Guide: $11
- Riga Golden Autumn Canal & River Cruise | River Cruises LV: $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)€15
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Movie Tickets€2.07
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 dayRiga €20Lima €5.07
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: $21
- Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
- Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting in Riga: $35
- Riga Pub Crawl: $41
- Latvian Brewery Visit & 5 Beer tasting: $47
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $50
- Game Night & Pub Crawl: $52
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $59
- Riga Brewery Tour: $59
- Prosecco Bike & Pub Crawl: $65
- Riga Brewery Tour: $77
- Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $94
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€6.57
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Beer€3.66
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Cocktail€2.93
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 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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 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) |
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.