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

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.


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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Roatan is $42, while the average daily cost in Lima is $97. 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 person
    Roatan $10
    Lima $53
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Roatan $20
    Lima $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.

Hotels in Roatan


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: Roatan Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Roatan $17
    Lima $6.21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan

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


  • Water Taxi
    $3.95

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:

  • Ultimate West Bay Beach Day: Pass & Transfers Included: $55
  • Roatan Island hotels to Mahogany Bay Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $62
  • Mayan Eden Eco Park, Chocolate Factory & Transfer: $65
  • Roatan West Bay Beach Break with Roundtrip Transfer: $75
  • Let's Go Native Roatan City Cultural Tour, Transfer: $80
  • Roatan East End Cultural Experience, Island Lunch & Private Transfer: $99
  • Roatan Private Transfers: Airport, Cruise Port or Hotel: $110
  • Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan -Round-Trip Transfer: $114
  • Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $123
  • King Kong Extreme Zipline, City Tour and Transfer: $130
  • Private Transfer from Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan Hotels: $154
  • Roatan Buggy Adventure, Snorkeling, Beach Pass plus Private Transfer: $207

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $5.88
  • Taxi Ride
    $5.88
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $4.41

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
  • SHARED AIRPORT TRANSFER - From or To Lima Airport: $11
  • Lima Airport Transfer Service Available 24 7: $15
  • Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima City Center: $15
  • Private Transfer to Lima Airport (LIM): $16
  • Private Transfer from Lima City Hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $17
  • Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Callao Port: $18
  • Private Transfer from Callao Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $18
  • Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $21
  • Lima Hotels to Lima Airport (LIM)- Departure Private Transfer: $21
  • Lima to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) - Departure Private Transfer: $21
  • Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival 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 day
    Roatan $15
    Lima $33

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan

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

  • Private Roundtrip Transfer to West End for Dinner and Nightlife: $70
  • Cooking classes from a Local!: $245

Typical Food Prices in Lima

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


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.71
  • Ice cream
    $3.82
  • Coffee
    $3.24
  • Donut
    $1.03

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 (Min. 3 Guests – Max. 6): $15
  • Local Food Tour at an Iconic Market!!: $24
  • Dinner at Café del Museo Larco restaurant: $30
  • Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken: $45
  • Dinner at Mangos Larcomar Restaurant: $48
  • Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $50
  • Private Cooking Class in Causa & Lomo Saltado: $50
  • 4h Cooking Class in Iconic Dishes & Bottomless Drinks: $55
  • Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
  • Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $55
  • Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
  • #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $59

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Roatan $25
    Lima $9.39

Tours and Activities in Roatan

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

  • Organized trips and adventures: $26
  • Roatan Fun Bus Group Sightseeing Island Private Tour: $37
  • Roatan Private and Public Action Snorkel Tours and Charters: $39
  • Roatan Island Tours, Sightseeing and Shopping Adventures: $39
  • Roatán Ron and Chocolate Custom Tour.: $40
  • Half Day Roatan Sightseeing and Jungle Island Tour: $41
  • Roatan Zipline & Eco walk/Suspension Bridge Combo Tours: $43
  • Customizable Island Tour While on Roatan: $45
  • Roatan Jungle Top Wildlife Guided Eco-Park Tour: $45
  • Roatán Private costume Tour Chocolate Rum Culture & Local Snacks: $45
  • Roatan Private Tour , Culture and Views Experience: $45
  • Customizable Best Of Roatan Island Tour in Honduras: $45

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)
    $18
  • Movie Tickets
    $2.50

Tours and Activities in Lima

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

  • Miraflores Guided Walking Tour and Surquillo Market Experience: $5.00
  • Lima Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
  • Adventure at the Airport of Peru: $10
  • Jogging Activity through Tourist Places facing the Sea in Lima: $15
  • Walking Tour in the Historical Centre and China Town: $18
  • Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
  • Private Beach Guided Bike Tour in Lima: $19
  • Barranco Street Art Tour - Unmasked: $20
  • Fun Latin Dance Experience in Lima for Beginners: $20
  • Tour in Lima with Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco: $20
  • Private Tour with guide in Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI: $20
  • A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Roatan $6.56
    Lima $6.10

Sample the Local Flavors in Roatan

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:

  • Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80

Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima

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


  • Bottle of Wine
    $7.91
  • Beer
    $4.41
  • Cocktail
    $3.53

Sample the Local Flavors in Lima

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:

  • Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
  • Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $22
  • Discover Barranco's Nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $24
  • Lima Nightlife Tour & Society – Cultural Pub Crawl: $50
  • Local Wine Tour: $77
  • From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135


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.