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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, The Best Adventure Tours to 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 $95. 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 $52
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rosario $94
    Lima $104
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: Rosario Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rosario $3.14
    Lima $6.06

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $5.73
  • Taxi Ride
    $5.73
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $4.30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:

  • Direct Private Transfer From Lima to Paracas, English Speaking Driver: $269
  • Private Transfer From Lima To Huacachina With 2 Stops: $263
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $201
  • Private Transfer from Jorge Chávez (LIM) Airport to Lima: $59
  • Larco Museum Complete Guided Tour with Transfers (Small Group): $55
  • Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
  • Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $43
  • Lima J Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $43
  • Lima Airport Transfers by SUV/Van: $43
  • Assistance - Transfer Cusco Airport to Hotel & Viceversa: $40
  • Tour Magic Water Park in Lima with Small Group Transfer: $38
  • Private Lima Airport Transfer - Minivan 24hrs: $35

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 $6.59
    Lima $32

Typical Food Prices in Lima

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


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.59
  • Ice cream
    $3.73
  • Coffee
    $3.15
  • Donut
    $1.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima

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

  • Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken: $32
  • Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $40
  • Lima Food Tour - Prepare your Anticuchos and Pisco Sour : $48
  • #1 Reviewed Lima Cooking Class: $49
  • Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $55
  • Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
  • Peru’s Most Beloved Recipes Cooking Class: $58
  • Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
  • Lima Night: Cooking Experience with locals: $65
  • Peruvian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting: $65
  • Vegan Peruvian Food Cooking Class | Ceviche + Pisco Sour: $69
  • 4 iconic restaurants of Lima / 3-hour guided food tour: $69

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rosario $27
    Lima $9.15

Tours and Activities in Rosario

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

  • Newell's Old Boys Football Match and Messi Tour: $150

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
    $2.44

Tours and Activities in Lima

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

  • Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Tour From Lima (Private Group): $190
  • Cycling Tour Miraflores - Barranco - Chorrillos: $30
  • Lima bike and 5 Step Food Tasting Experience: $92
  • Private Classic City Tour Experience of Lima: $65
  • Private Stopover Tour of Lima from the Airport: $150
  • Sunset in Huacachina and Tacama: Private Tour from Lima: $220
  • #1 Full Day Tour From Paracas and Huacachina Oasis: $59
  • 1 Day Tour to Huacachina from Lima (Dunebuggy + Vineyards): $225
  • 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $279
  • 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $149
  • 2 Days 1 Night Paracas Ica Tour from Lima: $150
  • 2-Hour Private Tour of Miraflores with Drone Video Included: $39

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rosario $7.54
    Lima $5.95

Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima

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


  • Bottle of Wine
    $7.71
  • Beer
    $4.30
  • Cocktail
    $3.44

Sample the Local Flavors in Lima

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:

  • Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $19
  • Bar Crawl Night Tour in Miraflores: $30
  • Local Wine Tour : $55
  • From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
  • Full Day Paracas, Huacachina and Wine Tasting from Lima : $138


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.