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

Should you visit Roatan or Pereira?

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 Pereira. 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 Pereira?

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.

Pereira

Situated in a small valley in the western Andes, Pereira is the capital city of Risaralda, Colombia. The city is surrounded by coffee producing agriculture and sits in the middle of a triangle of cities including Bogota, Medillin and Cali, each of which is about a three to five hour drive away.

The city itself is very much student oriented, as there are many universities around town and at least one quarter of the population is made up of students. There is also a very European vibe to the city and you will find the area beautiful with many parks and museums.

Pereira's economy is based on government, agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, trade, commerce, and tourism. Agricultural products include sugarcane, cacao, rubber, cereals, coffee, and livestock. Apparel is the main manufacturing product, along with aluminium goods, motorcycles and telecommunications technology.

Pereira is found in a warm moorland area with an average temperature of around 72 degrees. The temperatures remain relatively consistent throughout the year with highs in the high 70s Fahrenheit to low 80s Fahrenheit. Low temperatures are usually in the low 60s Fahrenheit. Rain is heaviest during the months of April and May as well as October and November.

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 Colombia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Pereira or Roatan?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Roatan is $38, while the average daily cost in Pereira is $66. 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 Pereira in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Roatan $11
    Pereira $27
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Roatan $22
    Pereira $54
Compare Hotels in Roatan and Pereira

Looking for a hotel in Roatan or Pereira? 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 Pereira


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 Pereira Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Roatan $19
    Pereira $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan

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


  • Water Taxi
    $4.26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:

  • AJ's Sloth & Monkeys Family Excursion, City Tour & Private Transfer: $57
  • Chocolate Factory, Rum Factory, Markets, Island Tour, Private Transfer: $50
  • Discover Scuba Diving in Roatan at Upachaya with Private Transfer: $110
  • East Sightseeing, Mangrove Tunnel Snorkel, Hole in the Wall, with Transfer: $130
  • Ground transfers and ticket ferry to Utila or La Ceiba: $80
  • Honduras Airport(RTB) to Honduras -Arrival Private Transfer: $38
  • Honduras to Honduras Airport (RTB)-Departure Private Transfer: $38
  • Horseback Riding, Beach with Palapa and Transfer: $130
  • Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
  • Mayan Eden Eco Park, Chocolate Factory & Transfer: $65
  • Mayan Eden Eco Wildlife Park, City Tour & Private Transfer: $67
  • North Side Blue Channel & Starfish Snorkeling, 20min JetSki, Transfer Included: $165

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pereira

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


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $1.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pereira

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pereira:

  • One-Way Private Transfer from Matecaña Airport: $11
  • Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer La Nubia Airport: $20
  • Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer: Matecaña Intl Airport: $41
  • One way transfer from Pereira to Salento AND/OR Salento to Pereira: $43
  • Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer: Matecaña Airport: $44
  • Private Transfer Pereira to Salento (or vice versa): $59
  • Santa Rosa Cabal to Pereira Airport PEI - Departure Transfer: $63

Is it cheaper to fly into Roatan or Pereira?

Prices for flights to both Pereira 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 $9.43
    Pereira $23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan

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

  • Tiki Boat Sunset Cruise in Roatan with Snorkeling and Dinner : $100
  • Cooking classes from a Local!: $200

Typical Food Prices in Pereira

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pereira:


  • Hamburger
    $1.70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Roatan $27
    Pereira $19

Tours and Activities in Roatan

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

  • Shore Excursion: Roatan VIP Customizable Island Tour: $35
  • Half Day Roatan Sightseeing and Jungle Island Tour: $41
  • Eco-Walk Nature Tour: $41
  • Private Tour in Roatan with Pick Up: $44
  • Customizable Best Of Roatan Island Tour in Honduras: $45
  • Shore Excursion: Private Half-Day Sightseen Tour and Beach: $45
  • Monkeys and Sloth Hang Out with Island Tour in Roatan: $49
  • Monkeys & sloth hangout,Chocolate Factory,Rum Factory, island tour/Beach : $49
  • Roatan City Tour-Viewpoints, Landmarks, Chocolate and Rum Tasting: $50
  • Guided Tour to Discover Roatán Starting from the Center: $50
  • Goodman's Island Style Roatan Highlights Tour: $50
  • Roatan Shore Excursion: Kayak Harbor Adventure and Reef Snorkel: $51

Tours and Activities in Pereira

Here are a few actual costs in Pereira for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Coffee Tour at the Finca del Café: $40
  • City Tour Historic Center of Manizales in Caldas: $46
  • Santa Rita Waterfall and Salento Hike Tour: $48
  • Cocora Valley and Salento Hike Tour: $79
  • Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour with Lunch: $87
  • Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour with Lunch: $90
  • Paratrike experience over the sky of Colombia: $95
  • Tour to hot springs of Santa Rosa from Pereira, Armenia or Salento: $104
  • Private Tour of Chocolate Plantation and Processing: $113
  • Tour Santa Rosa hot springs from Pereira, Armenia or Salento: $114
  • Private Tour to the Coffee Park from Pereira or Armenia: $115
  • Cocora Valley, Salento and Coffee Farm Day Tour : $124

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Roatan $7.07
    Pereira $14

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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Roatan and Pereira, we can see that Pereira 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 Pereira 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 Pereira would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pereira 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 Pereira Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Roatan or Pereira?

Pereira has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of Roatan and Pereira, 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.