Which place is cheaper, Lima or Santiago de Compostela?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Santiago de Compostela or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Lima? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Santiago de Compostela or Lima?
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital city of northwest Spain's Galicia region. Its famous cathedral marks the culmination of the Way of Saint James pilgrimage route, and is the alleged burial site of the apostle himself. The pilgrimage route begins in the Pyrenees, 500 miles away, though travelers can decide to join the journey at certain points in between, depending on how far they want to walk and how much they want to see.
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 in Spain, The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
-
Santiago de Compostela Prices
Spain PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantiago de Compostela €105Lima €81
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago de Compostela is €105, while the average daily cost in Lima is €81. 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 Santiago de Compostela and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantiago de Compostela €37Lima €44
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago de Compostela €74Lima €88
Compare Hotels in Santiago de Compostela and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Santiago de Compostela 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: Santiago de Compostela Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santiago de Compostela €38Lima €5.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago de Compostela
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago de Compostela:
- Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from the city centre to SCQ Airport: $56
- Departure Private Transfer Santiago de Compostela to SCQ Airport by Business Car: $66
- Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from SCQ Airport to City centre: $68
- Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from the city centre to SCQ Airport: $68
- Airport Transfer Santiago de Compostela: $82
- Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer to SCQ Airport by Van: $102
- Private Transfer from Santiago city hotels to La Coruna Port : $156
- Private Transfer from Santiago de Compostela to Porto with Tour: $209
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride€4.88
-
Taxi Ride€4.88
-
Short Taxi Ride€3.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Assistance - Transfer Cusco Airport to Hotel & Viceversa: $40
- Deluxe Car Lima Transfer - Private Service: $29
- Direct Private Transfer From Lima to Paracas, English Speaking Driver: $269
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival Private Transfer : $22
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $43
- LIMA AIRPORT SHUTTLE - Shared Transfer: $13
- Larco Museum Complete Guided Tour with Transfers (Small Group): $55
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores city - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Lima Airport Arrival Transfer: $25
- Lima Airport Transfers by SUV/Van: $43
- Lima Bus Station Arrival Transfer: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago de Compostela or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Santiago de Compostela 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 daySantiago de Compostela €34Lima €27
Typical Food Prices in Santiago de Compostela
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santiago de Compostela:
-
Raspberries€3.50
-
Ice Cream€2.00
-
Cookie€1.00
-
Kebab€7.25
-
Dinner & Tapas (for 2)€28
-
Tuna Empanada€3.50
-
Fruit Shake€3.50
-
Crepe€4.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago de Compostela
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago de Compostela.
- Santiago Food Tour Tapas Drinks and Delights with a Local: $106
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
-
Lunch for Two€3.91
-
Ice cream€3.17
-
Coffee€2.69
-
Donut€0.85
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.Santiago de Compostela €39Lima €7.79
Tours and Activities in Santiago de Compostela
Here are a few actual costs in Santiago de Compostela for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Santiago de Compostela Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $5.16
- Stroll Through History in Santiago: Quest Experience: $7.20
- Secrets of Private Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Guided Tour of the Old Town with an Official Guide: $14
- Land of Legends and Meigas Tour: $14
- Santiago de Compostela Hidden City Walking Tour: $18
- Queimada Experience Show and Tasting at Santiago de Compostela: $18
- Guided tour of Bodegas Granbazán: $22
- Guided Tour Cathedral tickets included with Optional Portico: $24
- Guided Tour Santiago Cathedral, Museum and Old City: $31
- Santiago de Compostela Historic Walking Tour in Small Group: $32
- Tapas Tour of Santiago de Compostela: $42
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)€15
-
Movie Tickets€2.07
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Lima City Tour with Baby Alpaca Class and Pisco Tasting: $16
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $18
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
- Private Bike Tour in Lima: $19
- Bike Tour Lima: $19
- Water Magic Circuit Lima Night Tour by Panoramic Bus: $20
- Tour in Lima with Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco: $20
- Bohemian and artistic ravine walking tour: $22
- Lima Half-Day City Walking Tour (Small Groups): $24
- Pisco Sour experience with mini causitas at República del Pisco: $25
- Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $25
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySantiago de Compostela €23Lima €5.07
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santiago de Compostela
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santiago de Compostela from other travelers:
-
1 Pint Beer€2.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago de Compostela
Also in Santiago de Compostela, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience: $35
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
-
Bottle of Wine€6.57
-
Beer€3.66
-
Cocktail€2.93
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 Santiago de Compostela and Lima, we can see that Santiago de Compostela is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santiago de Compostela or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela or Lima?
Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela or Lima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago de Compostela and Lima. Most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Santiago de Compostela is generally around the same temperature as Lima. Daily temperatures in Santiago de Compostela average around 19°C (66°F), and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In Santiago de Compostela, it's very sunny this time of the year. Santiago de Compostela usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Santiago de Compostela gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Santiago de Compostela usually receives more rain than Lima. Santiago de Compostela gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySantiago de Compostela 19°C (66°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Lima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Santiago de Compostela as well as Lima. The autumn months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Santiago de Compostela is cooler than Lima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In the autumn, Santiago de Compostela often gets more sunshine than Lima. Santiago de Compostela gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.
Santiago de Compostela receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Santiago de Compostela usually gets more rain in October than Lima. Santiago de Compostela gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSantiago de Compostela 16°C (61°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Lima in the Winter?
Both Lima and Santiago de Compostela are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Santiago de Compostela is much colder than Lima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in January average around 11°C (51°F), and Lima averages at about 23°C (73°F).
Santiago de Compostela usually receives less sunshine than Lima during winter. Santiago de Compostela gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Santiago de Compostela. In January, Santiago de Compostela usually receives more rain than Lima. Santiago de Compostela gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySantiago de Compostela 11°C (51°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Lima in the Spring?
Both Lima and Santiago de Compostela during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
In April, Santiago de Compostela is generally much colder than Lima. Daily temperatures in Santiago de Compostela average around 13°C (55°F), and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In the spring, Santiago de Compostela often gets less sunshine than Lima. Santiago de Compostela gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.
Santiago de Compostela usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Santiago de Compostela gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSantiago de Compostela 13°C (55°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Santiago de Compostela
| Santiago de Compostela | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (51°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (52°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (58°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (65°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 128 mm (5 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.