Which place is cheaper, Lima 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 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 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.
Where Should I go: Santiago or Lima?
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.
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 Chile, The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Santiago Prices
Chile PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantiago $154Lima $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $154, while the average daily cost in Lima is $98. 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.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantiago $112Lima $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago $224Lima $108
Compare Hotels in Santiago and Lima
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.
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 Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santiago $5.55Lima $6.25
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$1.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Private Transfer to/from Santiago Airport (SCL): $15
- SCL Airport Private Transfer ⇄ Santiago/Providencia/Las Condes: $18
- Private Transfer from Santiago Airport (SCL): $24
- Private Transfer to Santiago Airport (SCL): $24
- Transfer to Concha y Toro Winery: $30
- Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer from Santiago Hotel to SCL Airport: $34
- Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago: $34
- Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
- Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $37
- Santiago de Chile Airport Transfer: $40
- Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.92
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Taxi Ride$5.92
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Short Taxi Ride$4.44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores: $5.95
- LIM Airport Private Transfer to/from Lima Center/Barranco: $13
- Transfer: Lima City Center to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $14
- Transfer from the Airport to the Hotel or Hotel-Airport!!: $15
- Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima City Center: $15
- Private taxi transfer: Lima Jorge Chávez Airport – Safe: $16
- Private Transfer from Lima City Hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $16
- Private Transfer from Callao Port to Lima Airport (LIM): $16
- Private Transfer from Callao Cruise Port to Lima City hotels: $16
- Private Airport Transfer to Miraflores San Isidro and Barranco: $18
- Private Transfer from Callao Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $18
- Transfer To Lima Airport: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago or 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one daySantiago $23Lima $33
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.94
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Hamburger$2.57
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Dinner$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $56
- Best Santiago Street Food Tour with 4+ Tastings and Drink: $58
- Mercado Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $60
- 4h Cooking Class in 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $77
- 4h Cooking Class in Santiago : 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $85
- Local Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $99
- Food Tour STGO, Eat like Locals!: $99
- Lastarria Food Tour: Wine, Bites & Social Culinary Experience: $109
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
- Barrio Italia Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $119
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $125
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.74
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Ice cream$3.85
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Coffee$3.26
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Donut$1.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Food Tours on the Forbidden Side of Lima (Min. 3 Guests – Max. 6): $5.00
- Local Food Tour at an Iconic Market!!: $24
- Private Churros Cooking Class, Miraflores & Hotel Pickup: $43
- Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
- Dinner with Folkloric Show at Casa Tambo Restaurant: $46
- #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $49
- Lima Street Food Tour : Try the best Peruvian street food: $49
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $50
- Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $55
- Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
- Limeno Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santiago $49Lima $9.44
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: $11
- Historical Sights Walking Tour: $15
- Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $17
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
- History Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $21
- Guided Tour of Santiago de Chile History and Culture: $25
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -: $25
- Santiago Sightseeing Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $25
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
- Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $25
- Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $25
- City Tour Santiago - Walking Tour: $29
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$18
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Movie Tickets$2.52
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Miraflores Guided Walking Tour and Surquillo Market Experience: $5.00
- Walking Tour in the Historical Centre and China Town: $18
- Historic Lima & Catacombs Tour with Optional Pickup: $19
- Private Beach Guided Bike Tour in Lima: $19
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
- Private Bike Tour in Lima: $19
- A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20
- Colorful Barranco Tour and Street Art: $20
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $21
- The Real Lima Tour: Barrios, Local Culture & Flavors: $23
- City Tour in Lima: $23
- Jogging Activity through Tourist Places facing the Sea in Lima: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantiago $8.62Lima $6.14
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- "Chile in Your Glass" Wine Tasting.: $22
- Cousiño Macul Heritage Wine Tour with Tastings: $25
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Beer and Welcome Shots: $25
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $55
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $61
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $62
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $68
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $70
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $75
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
- Concha y Toro Tour with Wine Tasting and Transport: $87
- Viña Santa Rita Premium Tour and 5 Wine Tasting Small Group: $89
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.96
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Beer$4.44
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Cocktail$3.55
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
- Discover Barranco's Nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
- Discover Miraflores nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $24
- Lima Nightlife Tour & Society – Cultural Pub Crawl: $50
- From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
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?.
Which is Bigger, Santiago or Lima?
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.
When is the best time to visit Santiago or Lima?
Santiago 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 or Lima in the Summer?
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.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySantiago 21°C (70°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Santiago or Lima in the Autumn?
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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSantiago 15°C (59°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Santiago or Lima in the Winter?
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.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySantiago 9°C (48°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Santiago or Lima in the Spring?
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.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSantiago 15°C (59°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Santiago
| 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) |
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.