Which place is cheaper, Lima or San Pedro de Atacama?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit San Pedro de Atacama 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 San Pedro de Atacama 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: San Pedro de Atacama or Lima?
San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama is a gateway to northern Chile. It is a good jumping off point for exploring the area's impressive landscape, most of which is included in the Los Flamencos National Reserve. It is popular with both Chilean and international tourists, and because of its popularity, it is a relatively expensive destination, with many prices comparable to what you might pay in Santiago.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Pedro de Atacama $59Lima $77
The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro de Atacama is $59, while the average daily cost in Lima is $77. 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 Pedro de Atacama and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Pedro de Atacama $32Lima $49
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Pedro de Atacama $64Lima $98
Compare Hotels in San Pedro de Atacama and Lima
Looking for a hotel in San Pedro de Atacama 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: San Pedro de Atacama Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Pedro de Atacama $9.15Lima $5.73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro de Atacama
Also for San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama Airport: $29
- Calama Airport: Shared Transfer to/from San Pedro de Atacama: $30
- Transfers to San Pedro de Acatama (shared service): $30
- Atacama Airport Shuttle Transfer: $38
- Stargazing Experience with Transfer: $39
- Puritama Thermal Transfer: $46
- Calama Airport Transfer to Atacama / Airport Lodging: $60
- Transfer to the Puritama Hot Springs: $60
- Direct Transfer Atacama to Uyuni: $128
- Private transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama City: $190
- 3 Perfect Days in Atacama + Transfer: $250
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$5.43
-
Taxi Ride$5.43
-
Short Taxi Ride$4.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Lima HTL-APT (LIM): $34
- Transfers from / to Lima airport: $43
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Lima City - Lima Airport (LIM): $61
- Transfer from the Airport to the Hotel or Hotel-Airport!!: $25
- Transfer from Lima city to the airport: $18
- The Larco Museum Complete Tour with transfers: $53
- Tegucigalpa to Tegucigalpa Toncontin Airport (TGU) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- SHARED AIRPORT TRANSFER - From or To Lima Airport: $11
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores: $5.00
- Private transfers from Lima Airport or to Lima Airport: $17
Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro de Atacama or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and San Pedro de Atacama 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 daySan Pedro de Atacama $14Lima $18
Typical Food Prices in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Empanadas$1.26
-
Lunch$10
-
Dinner$11
-
Drink$0.94
-
Empanada$5.24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Dinner Under the Stars: $300
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
-
Lunch for Two$4.34
-
Ice cream$3.53
-
Coffee$2.99
-
Donut$0.95
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
- Lima Market Food Tour - Taste 9 Popular Peruvian Snacks: $35
- Ceviche Cooking Class Including Pisco Sour Lesson: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Pedro de Atacama $21Lima $8.66
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Pedro de Atacama
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro de Atacama's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Sand Boarding$56
Tours and Activities in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Astronomical Tour with Guide and Pick Up San Pedro de Atacama: $39
- Valle de la Luna: The unmissable tour: $40
- Stargazing Tour with Astronomer in San Pedro de Atacama: $40
- Tour to Vallecito and Magic Bus: $42
- Tour to the Valley of the Moon San Pedro de Atacama: $42
- Etno-Astronomical Experience: $43
- 6-hour tour to Valle del Arcoíris: $44
- Traditional Ethnoastronomy Tour in San Pedro de Atacama: $44
- Traditional Ethnoastronomy Experience: $44
- Valle de la Luna Guided Tour: $44
- Guided Atacama Desert Stargazing Tour: $44
- Cejar Lagoon Tour: San Pedro de Atacama: $44
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)$16
-
Movie Tickets$2.31
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- The best of Lima walking tour: $198
- 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
- 2 Hour Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $20
- 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 Guided Bicycle Tour in Miraflores: $30
- 3-Hour Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Lima: $51
- 360° Panoramic bus - Sightseeing Tour: $27
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Pedro de Atacama $4.94Lima $5.63
Typical Alcohol Prices in San Pedro de Atacama
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in San Pedro de Atacama:
-
Alcohol$25
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
-
Bottle of Wine$7.30
-
Beer$4.07
-
Cocktail$3.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $12
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $17
- 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
- Local Wine Tour : $39
- Local Wine Tour: $50
- Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Oasis + Wine Tour !! The best price: $226
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Pedro de Atacama and Lima, we can see that Lima is more expensive. And not only is San Pedro de Atacama much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Pedro de Atacama would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Pedro de Atacama 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 San Pedro de Atacama.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Pedro de Atacama Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Pedro de Atacama or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 3870 times larger than the population of San Pedro de Atacama. When comparing the sizes of San Pedro de Atacama 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.
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.