Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Santiago?
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 Santiago or Arequipa?
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 Santiago and Arequipa. 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: Santiago or Arequipa?
Santiago
Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.
Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.
Arequipa
Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
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Santiago Prices
Chile PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantiago $161Arequipa $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $161, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $62. 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 and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantiago $117Arequipa $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago $234Arequipa $50
Compare Hotels in Santiago and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Santiago or Arequipa? 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 Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santiago $5.81Arequipa $6.53
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
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Metro Ride$1.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Airport Transfer and Halfday City tour Santiago de Chile: $362
- Airport Transfer: Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago by Luxury Van: $105
- Airport Transfer: Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL by Luxury Van: $105
- Casas del Bosque Winery + RE Wineries : Exclusive Tour + Transfer: $220
- City Tour Santiago with Exclusive Guide + Private Transfer: $270
- City tour santiago with excursion to valparaiso and airport transfer: $150
- Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $85
- Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Luxury Van: $105
- From Viña Santa Rita Tour w/Transfer: $120
- Private 15-Passenger Premium Transfer – Santiago to Valparaíso: $149
- Private Airport Transfer Santiago Arrival or Departure 4pax SUV: $65
- Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$1.47
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Bus Ride$0.47
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Taxi Ride$1.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- Private Transfer from Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport to Hotel: $20
- Arequipa Airport Departure Transfer: $22
- Arequipa Airport (AQP) Private Transfer to Arequipa City: $23
- Private Transfer from Arequipa Airport to hotels: $30
- Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport: $38
- Arequipa Airport Private Transfer: $38
- Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
- Colca Canyon full day tour with transfer to Puno: $80
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $80
- Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
- 2 Days Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno: $110
- 3 Day Trek Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $214
Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Santiago 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 daySantiago $24Arequipa $26
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$2.02
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Hamburger$2.69
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Dinner$28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Street Food Tour in Santiago with a Local Guide: $58
- Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $82
- 4-Hour Boozy Chilean Cooking Class in Santiago: $85
- 4h Cooking Class in Santiago : 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $85
- Food Tour STGO, Eat like Locals!: $99
- Santiago Food Tour: Bohemian Flavors and Local Gems: $109
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
- Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $116
- Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $125
- Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $128
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
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Coke$0.44
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Lunch$3.09
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Ice Cream$1.18
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Fruit$0.88
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Ice Cream$1.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
- Cooking Class at La Plantation: $36
- Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $63
- Arequipa : Food Tour and History (3 Restaurants and Market): $69
- Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour: $79
- A 3-hour Guided Food Tour with 4 Iconic Restaurants of Arequipa: $79
- Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
- Food Tour Gastronomic Guided: $119
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santiago $51Arequipa $20
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
- A historical tour of Santiago, Chile: $18
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
- Santiago City Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $20
- Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $23
- Private Guided Walking Tour of the City Center: $24
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -: $25
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
- Yungay, Memory, Art, and Neighborhood Walking Tour: $25
- Guided Tour of Santiago de Chile History and Culture: $25
- Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $26
- Santiago Half Day Culture Walking Tour: $27
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Monastery Entry$2.94
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Salsa Class$2.94
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Movie Ticket$3.21
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Hot Springs$2.94
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Route of the Sillar 4-Hour Tour: $10
- Arequipa Walking Tour city center and drinks experience: $10
- Arequipa Tasting Tour: $13
- Tour to La Ruta del Sillar and Culesbrillas in Arequipa: $15
- Countryside Tour Arequipa: $18
- Chili River White Water Rafting Adventure with Pickup: $18
- Sillar Route and Culebrillas Tour Culture and Nature in Arequipa: $19
- Arequipa Rafting adventure on the Chili river with pick-up: $20
- City Tour Arequipa: $20
- Koh Rong Tour: A Snorkeling, Fishing, Sunset, Plankton: $20
- Añashuayco Quarries and Sillar Route Tour from Arequipa: $25
- Sillar Route and Culebrillas Gorge Tour from Arequipa: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantiago $9.02Arequipa $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Traditional Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Official English: $27
- Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $34
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $59
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $62
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $63
- Undurraga Wine tour: $70
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $75
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $75
- Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
- Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
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Beer$2.65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santiago and Arequipa, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Arequipa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Arequipa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arequipa 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 would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santiago than you might in Arequipa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santiago Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santiago or Arequipa?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Arequipa. When comparing the sizes of Santiago and Arequipa, 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.