Which place is cheaper, Lima or Rotterdam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam 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: Rotterdam or Lima?
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands and has the largest port in Europe. It's famously known as a city of architecture. In a few square kilometers of the city center you can get a complete overview of twentieth century architecture within Rotterdam.
Rotterdam is a very diverse, international, and hard working city. Nearly half of the city's population is not native to the Netherlands or have at least one parent from outside the country. Muslim's make up a significant portion of the population. Other area's represented include Cape Verde and the Dutch Antilles.
There's an air of optimism that permeates the entire city. There are frequent events, festivals and performances, making Rotterdam an enjoyable place to spend some time. Water is also an integral part of the city design.
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 River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRotterdam €152Lima €71
The average daily cost (per person) in Rotterdam is €152, while the average daily cost in Lima is €71. 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 Rotterdam and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRotterdam €77Lima €45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRotterdam €154Lima €90
Compare Hotels in Rotterdam and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Rotterdam 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.
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: Rotterdam Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rotterdam €26Lima €5.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotterdam
Also for Rotterdam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rotterdam Airport (RTM) to Rotterdam - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam hotels to Rotterdam Cruise Port : $38
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Rotterdam hotels: $38
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Port to Rotterdam Airport (RTM): $38
- Rotterdam to Rotterdam Airport (RTM) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Rotterdam hotels: $60
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Airport (RTM) to IJmuiden Port: $61
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam hotels to Rotterdam Cruise Port: $61
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Port to Amsterdam Airport (AMS): $66
- Rotterdam Airport RTM Private Transfer to Rotterdam in Sedan Car: $77
- Rotterdam Private Transfer to Rotterdam Airport RTM in Sedan Car: $81
- Rotterdam Airport RTM Private Transfer to Rotterdam by Luxury Van: $83
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride€4.99
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Taxi Ride€4.99
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Short Taxi Ride€3.74
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Private Transfer From Lima To Huacachina With 2 Stops: $198
- Private Transfer From Lima To Paracas With 2 Stops : $176
- Premium Peruvian Horse Show with Lunch & Transfers: $150
- Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer: $134
- Round-Trip Transfer in Private Minivan from-to Lima Airport (LIM) in Lima City: $122
- Palomino Islands Excursion & Swimming with Sea Lions with Hotel Transfers: $119
- Airport Transfer Service in Lima: $95
- Private Transfer from Callao Cruise Port to Lima city hotels: $87
- Private Transfer from Lima city hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $87
- Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Pisco Cruise Port: $87
- Lima Airport Arrival Transfer for small groups: $79
- Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Pisco Port : $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Rotterdam or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Rotterdam 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
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Food Meals for one dayRotterdam €54Lima €16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotterdam
For Rotterdam, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Self-Guided Rotterdam BiteMe Food Tour: $43
- 4-Hour Food Tour - Self-guided: $48
- Guided Food Tour: $80
- Guided Walking Food Tour: $85
- Biking Rotterdam Food Tour with Local Guide: $86
- Walking Rotterdam Food Tour: $86
- WALKING DINNER ROTTERDAM | 3 courses + 3 drinks and a lot of fun: $87
- Food Tour by Bike: $91
- Private Walking Food Tour of Rotterdam: $120
- Rotterdam Walking Dutch Food Tour: $153
- Rotterdam Private 2-Hour Food Tour with Tastings: $161
- Private Multicultural Bike Food Tour: $274
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two€3.99
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Ice cream€3.24
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Coffee€2.74
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Donut€0.87
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Market Food Tour: $33
- Lima Market Food Tour: $34
- Peruvian Food Tour Through Local Markets: $40
- Ceviche Cooking Class Including Pisco Sour Lesson: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rotterdam €32Lima €7.96
Tours and Activities in Rotterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rotterdam.
- Hightlights City Centre Walking Tour: $1.08
- 2 hour Guided Walking Tour Rotterdam: $3.23
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Rotterdam Spanish Tour 2 Hours: $3.27
- Rotterdam Walking Tour in 2 Hours : $3.27
- Escape Game and Tour: $4.31
- Rotterdam Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $7.00
- Breda: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.29
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.29
- Dordrecht: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.31
- Rotterdam Walking Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.65
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)€15
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Movie Tickets€2.12
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Lima bike and 5 Step Food Tasting Experience: $92
- The best of Lima walking tour: $198
- Cultural Tour of the city of Lima & Gastronomic: $62
- 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $279
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $149
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $149
- 2d/1n Tour: Flight to the Nazca, Paracas and Huacachina Lines: $289
- 3 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $289
- 3 Day Tour to Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $159
- 3-Day Trip to Lima Tour Package: $150
- 3-Hour Private Scooter Tour through Miraflores with Guide: $50
- 360° Panoramic bus - Sightseeing Tour: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRotterdam €19Lima €5.17
Sample the Local Flavors in Rotterdam
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rotterdam:
- Beer Brewery Noordt Tastings with Optional Tour: $8.07
- Heineken Building former brewery | Guided Tour: $8.07
- Stadshaven Brewery Tour with Beer Tastings: $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine€6.71
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Beer€3.74
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Cocktail€2.99
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $12
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $18
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Party Tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl and Drinks: $18
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $25
- Local Wine Tour : $39
- Local Wine Tour: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rotterdam and Lima, we can see that Rotterdam is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rotterdam is in Europe 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 Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Rotterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotterdam than you might in Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rotterdam Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Rotterdam. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam 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.
When is the best time to visit Rotterdam or Lima?
Rotterdam has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Rotterdam or Lima in the Summer?
Both Lima and Rotterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
In the summer, Rotterdam is around the same temperature as Lima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rotterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Lima averages at about 18°C (64°F).
It's quite sunny in Rotterdam. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets more sunshine than Lima. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun.
Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Lima. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRotterdam 17°C (62°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Rotterdam or Lima in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Lima. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Lima. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
Rotterdam usually receives more sunshine than Lima during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Lima. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRotterdam 11°C (51°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Rotterdam or Lima in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Lima. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Rotterdam. Rotterdam is much colder than Lima in the winter. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In the winter, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Lima. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun.
Rotterdam usually gets more rain in January than Lima. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRotterdam 2°C (36°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Rotterdam or Lima in the Spring?
Both Lima and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the spring for the activities around the city. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Rotterdam is much colder than Lima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rotterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Lima averages at about 22°C (72°F).
Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Lima during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Lima. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRotterdam 8°C (46°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Rotterdam
| Rotterdam | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.