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

Should you visit Rosario or Lima?

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 and Lima can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Rosario or Lima?

Rosario

Rosario is the third largest city in Argentina. Located at the Parana river and known for its rich architectural heritage and beautiful riverside scenery, Rosario is the birthplace of the Argentinian flag as well as two of the nation's most famous icons, Che Guevara and Lionel Messi. Rosario is still an important river port but has done a great job of regenerating its center, which now has a vibrant cultural and night life. The abandoned buildings of the long riverbank have been converted into galleries, restaurants, skateparks and river beaches, which buzz with life in summer. Dynamic and confident without being showy, culturally rich and the best urban location to cool off in the boiling summers, Rosario is easily overlooked but not to be missed.

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 Tours for Seniors to Argentina, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Argentina, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Lima or Rosario?

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 Rosario is $62, while the average daily cost in Lima is $92. 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 and Lima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rosario $47
    Lima $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rosario $94
    Lima $108
Compare Hotels in Rosario and Lima

Looking for a hotel in Rosario 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 Rosario


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: Lima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rosario $3.12
    Lima $6.25

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $5.92
  • Taxi Ride
    $5.92
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $4.44

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:

  • From Lima Private transfer to Paracas: $290
  • Lima round trip transfers airport - hotel - airport + City Tour: $218
  • Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Pisco Cruise Port: $216
  • Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Pisco Port: $216
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $197
  • Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer: $160
  • Palomino Islands Excursion & Swimming with Sea Lions with Hotel Transfers: $125
  • Airport Transfer Service in Lima: $95
  • Private Largevan Transfer - Arrival Lima Airport to Hotel: $79
  • Transfer by car from the airport to the hotel: $60
  • Private Transfer from Lima to Jorge Chávez (LIM) Airport: $58
  • Larco Museum Complete Guided Tour with Transfers (Small Group): $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Rosario or Lima?

Prices for flights to both Lima and Rosario 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 $6.55
    Lima $33

Typical Food Prices in Lima

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


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.74
  • Ice cream
    $3.85
  • Coffee
    $3.26
  • Donut
    $1.04

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): $5.00
  • Local Food Tour at an Iconic Market!!: $24
  • Private Churros Cooking Class, Miraflores & Hotel Pickup: $43
  • Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
  • Dinner with Folkloric Show at Casa Tambo Restaurant: $46
  • #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $49
  • Lima Street Food Tour : Try the best Peruvian street food: $49
  • Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $50
  • Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $55
  • Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
  • Limeno Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
  • Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rosario $27
    Lima $9.44

Tours and Activities in Rosario

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rosario.

  • Sucre: Night Tour with Drinks, Bars, and Local Culture: $35
  • Che Guevara Rosario Sightseeing Tour.: $58
  • Messi Experience. Guided tour of the places of his childhood: $60
  • Newell's Old Boys Football Match and Messi Tour: $100

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
    $2.52

Tours and Activities in Lima

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

  • 1 Day Tour to Huacachina from Lima (Dunebuggy + Vineyards): $225
  • 1 day tour in Ica Peru: $200
  • 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $265
  • 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $134
  • 3 Day Tour From Paracas, Huacachina Oasis & Pisco Vineyard: $159
  • 3 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $289
  • 3 Hour Private Electric Scooter Tour of Lima: $75
  • 3 Hours Walking Tour of Lima Old Town and Catacumbs: $59
  • 3-Day Tour Discover Paracas and Huacachina from Lima: $260
  • 4 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $299
  • 8-Hour Private Tour Lima Viceroyalty and Gold Museum with Lunch: $120
  • A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rosario $7.49
    Lima $6.14

Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima

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


  • Bottle of Wine
    $7.96
  • Beer
    $4.44
  • Cocktail
    $3.55

Sample the Local Flavors in Lima

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:

  • Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
  • Discover Barranco's Nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
  • Discover Miraflores nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $24
  • Lima Nightlife Tour & Society – Cultural Pub Crawl: $50
  • From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rosario and Lima, we can see that Lima is more expensive. And not only is Rosario much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rosario would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rosario 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 Rosario.

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


Which is Bigger, Rosario or Lima?

Lima has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Rosario. When comparing the sizes of Rosario 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.