Which place is cheaper, Lima or Roatan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Roatan or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Roatan and Lima. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Roatan or Lima?
Roatan
Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.
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 Honduras, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
-
Roatan Prices
Honduras PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRoatan $42Lima $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Roatan is $42, while the average daily cost in Lima is $96. 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 Roatan and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRoatan $10Lima $53
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRoatan $20Lima $106
Compare Hotels in Roatan and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Roatan 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Roatan $17Lima $6.16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:
-
Water Taxi$3.91
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:
- Transfers to West End by night from hotels in West Bay or Sandy Bay: $25
- Airport, Hotel or Cruise Port, Ferry Roatan Private Transfer: $35
- Roatan to Mahogany Bay Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Mayan Eden Eco Park, Chocolate Factory & Transfer: $59
- Catch a ride to West End & back to Port, Hotel or Airport (Roundtrip Transfer): $60
- Roatan West Bay Beach Break with Roundtrip Transfer: $65
- Catch a ride to West Bay & back to Port, Hotel, or Airport (Roundtrip Transfer): $75
- Roatan Private Catamaran Shipwreck, Blue Channel and Starfish with Transfer: $79
- King Kong Extreme Zipline, City Tour and Transfer: $80
- Roatan East End Cultural Experience, Island Lunch & Private Transfer: $95
- Extreme Zipline, City Tour, Chocolate, Rum Factory, Beach Break, Transfer: $105
- Parasailing, Beach Break, Chocolate Factory with Transfer: $150
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$5.83
-
Taxi Ride$5.83
-
Short Taxi Ride$4.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores Kennedy Park: $5.95
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores: $5.95
- Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima City Center: $15
- Lima Airport Transfer Service Available 24 7: $15
- Private Transfer from Callao Cruise Port to Lima City hotels: $16
- Private Transfer from Callao Port to Lima Airport (LIM): $16
- Private Transfer from Lima City Hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $16
- Private Transfer from Callao Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $17
- Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Callao Port: $17
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $21
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Lima Hotels to Lima Airport (LIM)- Departure Private Transfer: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Roatan or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Roatan 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 dayRoatan $15Lima $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Roatan.
- Roatan Cooking Class and Cultural Experience: $125
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
-
Lunch for Two$4.66
-
Ice cream$3.79
-
Coffee$3.21
-
Donut$1.02
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Off the Radar Lima Food Tour Hidden Spots Pisco and Local Vibes: $4.00
- Dinner at Café del Museo Larco restaurant: $30
- Dinner with Folkloric Show at Casa Tambo Restaurant: $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
- Lima Street Food Tour : Try the best Peruvian street food: $49
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $50
- Lima : Cooking Class, Chef Le Cordon Bleu, Tuk Tuk and Fiesta: $51
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $55
- Barranco Food Tour: $60
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $62
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Roatan $25Lima $9.30
Tours and Activities in Roatan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:
- Custom Private Roatan Shuttle Tour: Explore at Your Own Pace: $30
- Roatan Fun Bus Group Sightseeing Island Private Tour: $36
- Roatan Zipline & Eco walk/Suspension Bridge Combo Tours: $45
- Roatan Comprehensive Real Estate Tour Experience: $45
- Private Roatan Shopping Tour with Local Guide: $45
- Customizable Island Tour While on Roatan: $45
- Roatan VIP island tour in Honduras: $45
- Customizable Best Of Roatan Island Tour in Honduras: $45
- Roatan global Tours in Roatan Island Honduras: $45
- Private Roatan Sightseeing Tour: $49
- Roatan Private island tour In Honduras: $50
- Roatan : Private Customizeble Tour with Driver & Guide: $50
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)$17
-
Movie Tickets$2.48
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Walking Tour Hidden Lima Downtown: $2.50
- Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Lima: $5.00
- Barranco Walking Tour with Sunset Option: $5.00
- Street Art Walking Tour in Barranco: $5.00
- Gastronomic Walking Tour A Taste of Lima: $5.00
- Lima Cathedral Museum Entrance Ticket: $10
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Miraflores Guided Walking Tour and Surquillo Market Experience: $15
- Walking Tour to Miraflores and Barranco with a beer: $15
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
- Private Beach Guided Bike Tour in Lima: $19
- Tour in Lima with Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco: $20
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayRoatan $6.49Lima $6.05
Sample the Local Flavors in Roatan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:
- Half-Day Tour in Roatan With Brewery, Rum and Chocolate Factories visit: $46
- Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80
- Roatan Coffee and Chocolate Tour with Brewery Stop: $90
- Roatan Horseback Ride, Island Tour and Brewery Tasting: $125
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
-
Bottle of Wine$7.84
-
Beer$4.37
-
Cocktail$3.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
- Barranco Bohemian Bar Crawl: 4 Bars & Live Music: $24
- Lima Anti Pub Crawl: $60
- From Lima Paracas and Huacachina Oasis Dunes and Wine Tour: $89
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Roatan and Lima, we can see that Lima is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Roatan is in Central America 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 Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan 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 Roatan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Roatan Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Roatan or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 1030 times larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of Roatan 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.