Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Sucre?
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 Sucre or Arequipa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sucre or Arequipa? 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: Sucre or Arequipa?
Sucre
Sucre is famous for its gorgeous town center and delightful climate, making it for many Bolivia's most beautiful city. Also considered the symbolic heart of the nation, 'La ciudad blanca' or the white city has preserved stunning whitewashed buildings sheltering pretty patios and other beauties of colonial architecture. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991 and is under strict controls on development. It offers many attractions including historic buildings and a renowned theatre, but you can also wander around prehistoric sites and discover indigenous culture in the surrounding towns and countryside.
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 3-Day Tours from La Paz, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bolivia, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
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Sucre Prices
Bolivia PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySucre $57Arequipa $60
The average daily cost (per person) in Sucre is $57, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $60. 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 Sucre and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSucre $11Arequipa $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSucre $22Arequipa $48
Compare Hotels in Sucre and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Sucre 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: Sucre Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sucre $12Arequipa $6.36
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sucre
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sucre are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$1.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sucre
Also for Sucre, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure Transfer from Sucre to Sucre Airport by MiniVan or Bus: $27
- Private MiniVan or Bus Transfer from Sucre Airport SRE to Sucre: $28
- Private transfer Sucre - Uyuni, stopover in Potosí Mines: $250
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$1.43
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Bus Ride$0.46
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Taxi Ride$1.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- Colca Canyon 2-Day Tour with Lodge Stay and Transfer to Puno: $283
- 2 Day Trek Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $179
- Koh lanta any hotel to Phuket airport Private transfer: $172
- Colca Canyon Sightseeing Tour 2D1N and Transfer to Puno: $147
- 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with optional transfer to Puno: $132
- Full Day Tour Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $112
- Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $81
- Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
- Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
- Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport : $38
- Transfer Between Arequipa's Airport and Hotels: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Sucre or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Sucre 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 daySucre $32Arequipa $25
Typical Food Prices in Sucre
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Sucre:
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Dinner$4.48
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Juice$0.87
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Juice$1.01
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Chocolate$1.73
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Cappuccino$4.34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sucre
For Sucre, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Bolivian Cooking Class w/ Cocktail Making by La Boca del Sapo, Sucre: $45
- Ancestral Cooking Classes: $70
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$0.43
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Lunch$3.01
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Ice Cream$1.15
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Fruit$0.86
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Ice Cream$1.00
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: $35
- Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
- Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $53
- Private Cooking Class in Arequipa: $57
- Food Tour Gastronomic Guided : $113
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sucre $16Arequipa $19
Tours and Activities in Sucre
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sucre.
- Free Walking tour (History, culture and traditions): $0.50
- Historical and Cultural Walking Tour in Sucre with Guide: $9.99
- Walking tour in History, Culture & Amazing Views: $12
- City Highlights Walking Tour: $14
- Walking tour Sucre: $18
- Behind: Textiles and History Walking Tour: $20
- Night Walking Tour in the Old City (with 3 drinks): $24
- Private City Walking Guided Tour: $37
- Private Cultural Tour in Sucre with Visit to 3 Museums: $45
- Sucre - Walking City Tour - Half Day - English Speaking guide: $64
- JATUN YAMPARA - Nucleo Indigena, Agroartesanal - Half Day Tours: $66
- Private Half Day Tour: Sucre Walking Tour with Hotel Pick up: $67
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$2.87
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Salsa Class$2.87
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Movie Ticket$3.13
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Hot Springs$2.87
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Colca Full Day Tour: $51
- Walking tour history, legends & mysteries : $28
- 2 Day - Colca Canyon and Condor Tour from Arequipa, Peru - Group Service : $295
- 2 Days of Natural Experience in the Colca Canyon: $140
- 2 days 1 night Colca Canyon tour from Arequipa: $110
- 2-Day Group Tour to Colca Canyon from Arequipa: $230
- 2-Day Hiking Tour to the Colca Canyon: $90
- 2-Day Tour to the Magical Colca Canyon: $68
- 2-Day tour Colca Canyon ending in Puno: $95
- 3 Hour Congata Rover Biking Ride Tour in Arequipa: $45
- 3-hour guided tour in Arequipa: $65
- 8-Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas with Pick-up: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySucre $13Arequipa $17
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$2.58
When comparing the travel costs between Sucre and Arequipa, we can see that Arequipa is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sucre Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sucre or Arequipa?
Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sucre. When comparing the sizes of Sucre 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.