A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rosario Islands vs. Huaraz for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Rosario Islands or Huaraz?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Rosario Islands and Huaraz can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Rosario Islands or Huaraz?

Rosario Islands

The Rosario Islands, also referred to as Coral Islands of Rosario, is an archipelago located off the coast of Colombia, approximately 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Cartagena. The Rosario Islands are integrated by 28 islands and all of them form one of the 46 Natural National Parks of Colombia, created to protect one of the most important coral reefs in the Colombian Caribbean Coast. Only three of these islands are property of the Colombian state. Before establishing the national park in 1977, wealthy families used this natural paradise to build their summer houses, but then the government allowed them to keep their properties, only if they paid annual rent and taxes to be there, and complied with certain rules to preserve the ecosystem of the islands. People can visit the national park area of the islands, and tours are available. Isla Rosario has an aquarium and open-sea oceanarium that people can visit. Activities on the Rosario Islands include swimming, snorkeling and fishing, among others. The best time to visit Colombia in general, and especially the Rosario Islands is the dry-season months from December to March. These uninterrupted sunny days are just perfect for a Caribbean coastal experience and to enjoy all the activities it has to offer.

Huaraz

Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Colombia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Colombia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Huaraz or Rosario Islands?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Rosario Islands is $89, while the average daily cost in Huaraz is $50. 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 Rosario Islands and Huaraz in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rosario Islands $34
    Huaraz $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rosario Islands $68
    Huaraz $40
Compare Hotels in Rosario Islands and Huaraz

Looking for a hotel in Rosario Islands or Huaraz? 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 Rosario Islands


Hotels in Huaraz


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: Rosario Islands Hotel Prices and Huaraz Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rosario Islands $47
    Huaraz $10

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huaraz

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.17

Is it cheaper to fly into Rosario Islands or Huaraz?

Prices for flights to both Huaraz and Rosario Islands 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
    Rosario Islands $28
    Huaraz $18

Typical Food Prices in Huaraz

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


  • Lunch
    $5.97
  • Chips
    $1.49

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rosario Islands $14
    Huaraz $19

Tours and Activities in Rosario Islands

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

  • One-day tour to Playa Blanca by land Popular sector: $45

Typical Entertainment Prices in Huaraz

Here are a few typical costs in Huaraz for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Climbing Gear
    $17

Tours and Activities in Huaraz

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

  • Traditional Picante de Cuy Gastronomy Tour in Huaraz: $15
  • 69 Lake Tour of Peru: $26
  • Glacier Pastoruri and Puya Raimondi Full Day Tour: $28
  • Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $30
  • From Huaraz || Full day tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca: $36
  • From Tour to Llanganuco Lakes (Chinancocha Lake): $37
  • From Tour to Archeological Complex of Chavin: $38
  • Lake 69 Full-Day Hiking Tour from Huaraz: $40
  • Ancash: Nevado pastors and puyas Raymondi Tour | Full Day |: $40
  • From Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $46
  • From Chavín de Huantar fullday tour: $56
  • From Ancash: Tour fantastic in Huaraz |2Days-1Night|: $92

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rosario Islands $6.12
    Huaraz $15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rosario Islands and Huaraz, we can see that Rosario Islands is more expensive. And not only is Huaraz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Huaraz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huaraz 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 Rosario Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rosario Islands than you might in Huaraz.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rosario Islands Expensive? and Is Huaraz Expensive?.