Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Taupo?
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 Taupo or Arequipa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Taupo 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: Taupo or Arequipa?
Taupo
Taupo is a town located in the center of the North Island, situated on the shores of Lake Taupo, which is New Zealand's largest lake. It is also the caldera of the Taupo Volcano. It has a population of 23,700 people and is visited by many people interested in fishing, boating, and other water activities. There are many hiking and biking trails that take you around the water as well.
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 G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
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Taupo Prices
New Zealand PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTaupo $129Arequipa $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Taupo is $129, 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 Taupo and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTaupo $63Arequipa $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTaupo $126Arequipa $50
Compare Hotels in Taupo and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Taupo 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: Taupo Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Taupo $25Arequipa $6.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taupo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Taupo:
- Tongariro Crossing : 2 Day PRIVATE TRANSFER Leaving AUCKLAND: $1,101
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:
- 2 Days Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno: $110
- 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with optional transfer to Puno: $135
- 3 Day Trek Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $214
- Arequipa Airport (AQP) Private Transfer to Arequipa City: $23
- Arequipa Airport Arrival Transfer: $13
- Arequipa Airport Departure Transfer: $22
- Arequipa Airport Private Transfer: $38
- Arequipa Bus Station Arrival Transfer: $37
- Arequipa Bus Station Departure Transfer: $37
- Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
- Colca Canyon 2 days from Arequipa with final transfer to Puno: $85
- Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Taupo or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Taupo 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 dayTaupo $41Arequipa $26
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.
- Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
- 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Taupo $35Arequipa $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Taupo
Here are a few typical costs in Taupo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Bungy Jumping$153
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Jet Boating$57
Tours and Activities in Taupo
Here are a few actual costs in Taupo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Marvelous Circus: $23
- Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Enchanted Candy Forest: $23
- Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Cursed Cabin: $23
- Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Hunting Lodge: $24
- Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Cave Entry Ticket: $28
- Lake Taupō Māori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise aboard Ernest Kemp: $30
- Lake Maori Rock Carvings 8.30 AM 1.5-Hour Cruise: $34
- Lake 1.5-Hour Maori Rock Carvings 5:00 PM Cruise: $34
- Lake Maori Rock Carvings 10.30 AM 1.5-Hour Cruise: $34
- Self-Guided Geothermal Tour in Orakei Korako: $34
- Classical Sailing - Māori Rock Carvings -Taupo Sailing Adventures: $35
- Kakariki Day Time Cruise to Maori Rock Carvings: $36
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
- Chili River White Water Rafting Adventure with Pickup: $18
- Countryside Tour Arequipa: $18
- Sillar Route and Culebrillas Tour Culture and Nature in Arequipa: $19
- Koh Rong Tour: A Snorkeling, Fishing, Sunset, Plankton: $20
- Arequipa Rafting adventure on the Chili river with pick-up: $20
- City Tour Arequipa: $20
- Arequipa Sillar Stone Quarries and Culebrillas Canyon Tour: $25
- Añashuayco Quarries and Sillar Route Tour from Arequipa: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTaupo $13Arequipa $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Taupo
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Taupo from other travelers:
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Wine$5.08
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 Taupo and Arequipa, we can see that Taupo is more expensive. And not only is Arequipa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Taupo is in Pacific and Arequipa 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 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 Taupo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Taupo 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 Taupo Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Taupo or Arequipa?
Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Taupo. When comparing the sizes of Taupo 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.