Which place is cheaper, Paracas or San Ignacio?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit San Ignacio or Paracas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Ignacio or Paracas, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: San Ignacio or Paracas?
San Ignacio
So you want a tropical getaway, but also don't want to lay around with nothing to do. You want an adventure! You want relaxation and exploration.
You want to visit the small town of San Ignacio, Belize.
This section of the Cayo region is really more of a jungle than a typical Belize beach getaway. Located close the ancient Mayan ruins on the western and inland side of Belize, this town is most popular for its many outdoor adventures including hiking, climbing, and caving!
Paracas
Paracas, also known as El Chaco, is a resort town on the Southern coast of the country, about 150 miles south of Lima. The town in located in one of the oldest regions of Peru, with a history dating back to 900 BC and offers many pre-Inca cultural sites throughout the area. Paracas is possibly best known for being home to the Paracas National Reserve, a nature reserve boasting one of the most abundant and diverse ecosystems in the world.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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San Ignacio Prices
Belize PricesParacas Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Ignacio $86Paracas $84
The average daily cost (per person) in San Ignacio is $86, while the average daily cost in Paracas is $84. 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 San Ignacio and Paracas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Ignacio $19Paracas $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Ignacio $38Paracas $48
Compare Hotels in San Ignacio and Paracas
Looking for a hotel in San Ignacio or Paracas? 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: San Ignacio Hotel Prices and Paracas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Ignacio $3.10Paracas $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Ignacio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Ignacio:
- Transfer from Belize Airport to San Ignacio: $160
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:
- Paracas Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
- Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
- Private Transfer From San Juan Airport (SJU) to /from San Juan: $44
- Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $220
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $220
Is it cheaper to fly into San Ignacio or Paracas?
Prices for flights to both Paracas and San Ignacio 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 daySan Ignacio $36Paracas $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Ignacio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Ignacio.
- Maya Fish Cooking Experience: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Ignacio $100Paracas $26
Tours and Activities in San Ignacio
Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tea Tasting Medicinal Tour: $25
- Night Hike Tour: Critters of the Night: $28
- Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Tour from San Ignacio: $85
- Cave Tubing with local tour Guide and Belizean Lunch: $90
- Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $95
- LOST WORLD CEREMONIAL CAVE- Exciting Adventure at Ian Anderson's Caves Branch: $98
- 7:30am Jungle Farm trail Ride plus Xunantunich adventure: $100
- Xunantunich horseback riding tour: $120
- Caracol Maya Ruins Tour Including Rio On Pools, Rio Frio Cave and a Picnic Lunch: $122
- ATM Cave Tour from San Ignacio Actun Tunichil Muknal: $124
- Cave Tubing Adventure at Nohoch Che'en and Jaguar Paw : $125
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour and Picnic: $131
Tours and Activities in Paracas
Here are a few actual costs in Paracas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Paracas Desert Bike Adventure: $15
- Ballestas Islands Group Tour from Paracas : $15
- Ballestas Islands and Candelabro Boat Tour: $15
- Ballestas Islands: Peru’s Natural Paradise boat tour: $16
- BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $16
- Ballestas Islands Guided Boat Tour: $17
- speedboat BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $17
- From Ballestas Islands tour all Inclusive: $17
- Ballestas Islands tour all Inclusive: $18
- Tours to Ballestas Islands by Speed Boat: $20
- Tour Ballestas Islands: $20
- Ballestas Islands Morning Boat Tour: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Ignacio $17Paracas $12
When comparing the travel costs between San Ignacio and Paracas, we can see that San Ignacio is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though San Ignacio is in Central America and Paracas is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Ignacio Expensive? and Is Paracas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Ignacio or Paracas?
San Ignacio has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of San Ignacio and Paracas, 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.
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.