Which place is cheaper, Lima or Santiago?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Santiago 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.
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.
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 Chile, The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $141, 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 Santiago and Lima in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Santiago 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
Prices for flights to both Lima 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santiago and Lima, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 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 Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santiago Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Lima has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Santiago. When comparing the sizes of Santiago 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.
Santiago has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Both Lima and Santiago are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Santiago is generally a little warmer than Limain July. Daily temperatures in Santiago average around 21°C (70°F), and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In January, Santiago usually receives less rain than Limain July. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Lima and Santiago during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
Santiago is cooler than Lima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santiago averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.
Santiago usually gets more rain in April than Limain October. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago and Lima. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Santiago is much colder than Lima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santiago in July average around 9°C (48°F), and Lima averages at about 23°C (73°F)in January.
In July, Santiago usually receives more rain than Limain January. Santiago gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Santiago as well as Lima. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
In October, Santiago is generally cooler than Limain April. Daily temperatures in Santiago average around 15°C (59°F), and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
Santiago usually gets more rain in October than Limain April. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Santiago | Lima | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
Mar | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
May | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
Jun | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
Jul | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |