Should you visit Santorini or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Lima, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Santorini or Lima?
Santorini
Santorini is a volcanic island that is part of the Cyclades group of the Greek Islands. It has some spectacular views, beautiful sunsets, and excellent beaches. As one of the most popular of the Greek Islands to visit, Santorini sees many tourists every year. However, it's for a good reason, as the famous white-washed buildings that spill down the hill, some with blue domes that match the gorgeous color of the water, are set against the beautiful mountainous backdrop of one of the most scenic areas of the Mediterranean. Home to several of these small and scenic towns such as Oia, Kamari, Perissa, and Fira, visitors can explore the large island, enjoy delicious food, swim at the beaches, hike the hills, and sail the blue waters.
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 Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
Which place is cheaper, Lima or Santorini?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €250, while the average daily cost in Lima is €85. 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 Santorini and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Santorini 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:
Santorini Hotel Prices and
Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini
Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Express Private Transfer Service in Santorini:
$14
-
Economy Departure Transfers To Santorini Airport:
$15
-
Private Santorini Airport Transfer Meet and Greet Service JTR:
$17
-
Departure Transfer To Santorini Airport:
$18
-
Santorini Port Shuttle Services-Airport Transfers-Oia Transfers:
$18
-
Private Transfers Across Santorini:
$21
-
Santorini, Private Transfer with Luxury Airconditioned Vehicle:
$22
-
Private Transfer Santorini:
$23
-
Private Express One Way Taxi Transfer up to 2:
$23
-
Shared Departure Transfer: Santorini Hotel to Airport or Cruise Port:
$23
-
Santorini One Way Private transfer:
$23
-
Luxury Private Transfers in Santorini:
$24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride
€5.14
-
Taxi Ride
€5.14
-
Short Taxi Ride
€3.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
-
From Lima Private transfer to Paracas:
$290
-
Lima round trip transfers airport - hotel - airport + City Tour:
$218
-
Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Pisco Cruise Port:
$211
-
Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Pisco Port:
$211
-
Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels:
$192
-
Transfer from Lima Airport to your hotel and vice versa:
$175
-
Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer:
$160
-
Palomino Islands Excursion & Swimming with Sea Lions with Hotel Transfers:
$125
-
Enjoy a Football Game in Lima with local guide and Transfers:
$99
-
Private Largevan Transfer - Arrival Lima Airport to Hotel:
$79
-
Transfer in Private Van from the Airport to Hotels in Lima:
$60
-
Transfer by car from the airport to the hotel:
$60
Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Santorini 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
Santorini €96
Lima €29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini
For Santorini, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Santorini Cooking Class with Wine Tasting:
$90
-
Santorini Sunset Sailing Cruise with Greek BBQ Dinner:
$92
-
Farm to Table Food Tour Experience in Santorini:
$92
-
Santorini Cooking Lesson with Chef and a Bottle of Wine:
$103
-
Cooking Class and Wine Tasting in Santorini:
$103
-
The Aegean Cooking Class at Ftelos Brewery:
$114
-
Award-Winning Santorini Cooking Class with Greek Chef:
$121
-
Luxury Santorini Sunset Cruise: Dinner, BBQ, Open Bar, Transfers:
$126
-
Cooking Class in Traditional cave house in Santorini!:
$126
-
Cooking Class with Private Chef - prepare & enjoy local menu:
$126
-
Santorini Volcano Sunset Cruise with Dinner:
$128
-
Santorini Food Tour: Fira Half-Day Small-Group Tour with Tastings:
$143
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
-
Lunch for Two
€4.11
-
Ice cream
€3.34
-
Coffee
€2.83
-
Donut
€0.90
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 with Elite DRONE FOOTAGE:
$5.00
-
Dinner at Café del Museo Larco restaurant:
$30
-
Dinner with Folkloric Show at Casa Tambo Restaurant:
$43
-
Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima:
$44
-
Miraflores Cooking Class Ceviche, Tartar & Pisco Sour:
$48
-
Dinner at Mangos Larcomar Restaurant:
$48
-
#1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!:
$49
-
Lima Street Food Tour : Try the best Peruvian street food:
$49
-
Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour:
$50
-
Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks:
$55
-
Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken:
$55
-
Barranco Food Tour:
$60
Entertainment
Tours and Activities in Santorini
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.
-
Fira Audio Guided Walking Tour 1h00 and 16 audio reviews:
$6.75
-
Private Self-Guided Audio Tour in Santorini:
$9.15
-
Authentic A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Oia:
$9.99
-
Guided Art Tour Contemporary Art Meets a Quiet Santorini Village:
$17
-
Self-Guided Treasure Hunt Adventure in Oia Santorini:
$22
-
Kayak Rental Adventure in Watersports Santorini:
$23
-
Ticket for Akrotiri Archaeological Site:
$32
-
Sunset Cruise Santorini Volcano:
$34
-
Santorini Volcano and Hot Springs Cruise Tour from Fira Old Port:
$34
-
Santorini Volcano & Sunset Caldera Cruise:
$34
-
Santorini Shore Excursion: Private Tour with Port Pickup Options:
$34
-
Santorini Volcano Cruise with Free Time in Thirasia from Athinios:
$34
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
-
1 Day Tour to Huacachina from Lima (Dunebuggy + Vineyards):
$225
-
1 day tour in Ica Peru:
$200
-
2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina:
$265
-
2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina:
$134
-
2 Days 1 Night Tour of Paracas Huacachina & flight to Nazca Lines:
$272
-
2D Tour from Lima Paracas and Huacachina with Night in Huacachina:
$230
-
3 Day Tour From Paracas, Huacachina Oasis & Pisco Vineyard:
$143
-
3 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina:
$275
-
3 Days Tour of Paracas Huacachina and Nazca:
$275
-
3 Hour Private Electric Scooter Tour of Lima:
$75
-
3 Hours Walking Tour of Lima Old Town and Catacumbs:
$59
-
3-Day Tour Discover Paracas and Huacachina from Lima:
$260
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini
Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting option:
$63
-
Santorini Wine Tasting and Wine Pairing:
$69
-
Santorini Wine & Village Experience–Megalochori &Wine Tasting(4h):
$92
-
Caldera Views, Cliffside Villages, and Santorinian Wine Tasting:
$97
-
Premium Wine Tasting with Caldera Views:
$102
-
Oia Art Walk Quiet Lanes and Wine Tasting in a Captain's House:
$109
-
Santorini Wine Tasting and Wine Museum:
$120
-
Santorini Wine Tour with sunset in Oia:
$126
-
4 Hour Blue Domes Tour with Wine Tasting in Santorini:
$143
-
Santorini Wine Tour in two or three Wineries:
$154
-
Santorini wine tasting and Traditional Cave Settlement Tour:
$160
-
Private Highlights Tour with Wine Tasting 4 or 5hour duration:
$166
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
-
Bottle of Wine
€6.91
-
Beer
€3.85
-
Cocktail
€3.08
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
-
Free Pub Crawl:
$5.00
-
Barranco Bohemian Bar Crawl: 4 Bars & Live Music:
$24
-
Lima Anti Pub Crawl:
$60
-
From Lima Paracas and Huacachina Oasis Dunes and Wine Tour:
$89
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and Lima, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santorini 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 Santorini would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santorini 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 Santorini Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santorini or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santorini. When comparing the sizes of Santorini 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.
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