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

Should you visit Santa Marta or Lima?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Santa Marta and Lima can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Santa Marta or Lima?

Santa Marta

Santa Marta is a city in the Magdalena Department of Colombia's Costa Norte. Over the last decade, security has steadily been replacing the shadow of the Colombia's violent past. One destination in Colombia's northeast region is now attracting more international visitors: the coastal Caribbean area of Santa Marta. Established in 1525 by the Spanish as a base of conquest, Santa Marta sits at the foot of the world's highest coastal mountain range, the towering Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. It is South America's oldest European-founded town and the second most important colonial city on Colombia's Caribbean coast. While many travelers complain about Santa Marta's horrible traffic and unsightly urban sprawl, the city holds a numerous amounts of great hotels, bars and restaurants and holds a few fantastic destinations nearby to which you can go during the daytime.

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 Eco Tours in Colombia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Colombia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Lima or Santa Marta?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Marta is $32, 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 Santa Marta and Lima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santa Marta $14
    Lima $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santa Marta $28
    Lima $98
Compare Hotels in Santa Marta and Lima

Looking for a hotel in Santa Marta 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 Santa Marta


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: Santa Marta Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santa Marta $5.17
    Lima $5.75
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Marta

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Marta:


  • Gas
    $5.14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Marta

Also for Santa Marta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Simon Bolivar Airport (One Way): $12
  • Arrival or Departure Transfer: Simón Bolívar Airport: $14
  • Transfer in Private Car from Santa Marta Airport (SMR) to Santa Marta city: $14
  • Transfer in Private Car from Santa Marta city to Santa Marta Airport (SMR): $14
  • Transfers SANTA MARTA AIRPORT TO HOTEL IN SANTA MARTA: $21
  • Transfer in private minivan from Santa Marta Airport (SMR) to Santa Marta city: $21
  • Transfer in private minivan from Santa Marta city to Santa Marta Airport (SMR): $21
  • Transfers to Palomino, Tayrona Park, Buritaca Guachaca from Santa Marta: $23
  • Private Transfer from Santa Marta city to Santa Marta Cruise Port: $29
  • Private Transfer from Santa Marta Port to Santa Marta Airport: $29
  • Private Transfer from Santa Marta Airport to Santa Marta Port: $29
  • Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Santa Marta city: $29

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $5.45
  • Taxi Ride
    $5.45
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $4.08

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 Lima city to the airport: $18
  • Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
  • Transfer To Lima Airport: $18
  • The Larco Museum Complete Tour with transfers (Small-group): $52
  • SHARED AIRPORT TRANSFER - From or To Lima Airport: $11
  • Round Trip Transfer from and to the Airport in Miraflores/Barranco/Sani : $33
  • QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.00
  • QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores: $5.00
  • Private transfers from/to Lima Airport (Price per Vehicle): $28

Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Marta or Lima?

Prices for flights to both Lima and Santa Marta 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
    Santa Marta $9.82
    Lima $18
Typical Food Prices in Santa Marta

For Santa Marta, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Breakfast
    $3.08

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Marta

For Santa Marta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City Half-Day : $66
  • Flavors of Colombia - Santa Marta Street Food Tour: $75
  • Santa Marta Street Food Tour: $75
  • Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City: $76

Typical Food Prices in Lima

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


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.36
  • Ice cream
    $3.54
  • 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 - Taste 9 Popular Peruvian Snacks: $35
  • Lima Market Food Tour: $37
  • Peruvian Food Tour Through Local Markets: $40
  • Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
  • Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
  • Dinner at Café del Museo Larco restaurant: $55
  • Food History & Local Markets (Food Tour): $56
  • 3-dish Peruvian Cooking Experience + Pisco Sour Making: $56
  • Lima's Food Tour through Local Markets & Barranco Visit: $59
  • Peruvian Cooking Class: $59
  • Peruvian Cooking Class, Market Tour & Exotic Fruits: $65
  • Peruvian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santa Marta $14
    Lima $8.69

Tours and Activities in Santa Marta

For Santa Marta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Old Town, Harbour & Highlights Self-guided Tour: $6.41
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Botanical Garden: $10
  • Musical Experience "Live Musicaribe": $11
  • Cultural Heritage Tour Santa Marta: $16
  • BE RELAX TOUR - Bahia Concha: $22
  • Full Day Tour to Bahía Concha and Tayrona Park with Pickup: $25
  • 1-Hour Pirate Ship Experience from Santa Marta: $28
  • Horse Riding at La Mello Adventure Lodge: $35
  • Santa Marta Food Experience: $39
  • Guided Walking Food Experience: $39
  • Sunset Cruise Around the Bay: $40
  • Tubing Across Palomino River Including a Hiking Tour : $43

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:

  • Lima in 1 Day! - City Tour + Miraflores, Barranco & San Isidro: $85
  •  Cultural Tour of the city of Lima & Gastronomic: $62
  • 1 Day Tour to Huacachina from Lima (Dunebuggy + Vineyards): $225
  • 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $269
  • 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $149
  • 2d/1n Tour: Flight to the Nazca, Paracas and Huacachina Lines: $289
  • 3 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $279
  • 3 Day Tour to Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $159
  • 3-Hour Guided Bicycle Tour in Miraflores: $30
  • 3-Hour Private Scooter Tour through Miraflores with Guide: $50
  • 360° Panoramic bus - Sightseeing Tour: $37
  • 4 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $289

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santa Marta $6.58
    Lima $5.65
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Marta

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santa Marta from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $0.57
  • Beer
    $2.31

Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima

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


  • Bottle of Wine
    $7.32
  • Beer
    $4.08
  • Cocktail
    $3.27

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 Lima: $18
  • Local Wine Tour: $50
  • Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Oasis + Wine Tour !! The best price: $226


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

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


Which is Bigger, Santa Marta or Lima?

Lima has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Santa Marta. When comparing the sizes of Santa Marta 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.