Which place is cheaper, Lima or Tulum?
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 Tulum or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and Lima can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Tulum or Lima?
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Tulum Prices
Mexico PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $144Lima $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $144, 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 Tulum and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $59Lima $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $118Lima $108
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Tulum 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: Tulum Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Lima $6.29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Private Transfer from Tulum Airport: $51
- Transfer from Hotel and Airbnb to Tulum Airport: $67
- Private Transfers to Tulum Airport: $77
- Private Transfer Tulum to Chichen Itza with Flexible Stops: $93
- Private Transfers from Tulum Airport to Akumal: $96
- Private Transfers from Tulum Airport to Playa del Carmen: $98
- Cancun Airport Private Transfer to/from Conrad Tulum: $103
- Private Transfer from Tulum to Valladolid with a Cobá Detour: $107
- Private Transfer from Tulum Airport to Tulum Hotels: $109
- Tulum to Xcaret - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $113
- Tulum to Playa del Carmen - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $119
- Airport Transfer One Way - Cancun / Tulum - Private or Luxury: $140
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.96
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Taxi Ride$5.96
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Short Taxi Ride$4.47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.95
- SHARED AIRPORT TRANSFER - From or To Lima Airport: $11
- LIM Airport Private Transfer to/from Lima Center/Barranco: $13
- Transfer: Lima City Center to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $14
- Private taxi transfer: Lima Jorge Chávez Airport – Safe: $16
- Private Transfer from Callao Port to Lima Airport (LIM): $17
- Private Transfer from Lima City Hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $17
- Private Transfer from Callao Cruise Port to Lima City hotels: $17
- Private Airport Transfer to Miraflores San Isidro and Barranco: $18
- Private Transfer from Callao Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $18
- Private Executive Transfers in Lima: $20
- Transfer from the Airport to Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Tulum 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 dayTulum $58Lima $33
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$2.96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Salsa Class,Mezcalita Workshop & Mexican Dinner: $89
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $95
- Mexican Cooking class experience in Tulum: $142
- Temazcal Mayan Ritual Tour and Cenote Swim with Yucatecan Dinner: $149
- Private Authentic Mayan Cooking Class with Tulum Hotel Transfers: $280
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more): $299
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.77
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Ice cream$3.87
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Coffee$3.28
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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.
- Private Churros Cooking Class, Miraflores & Hotel Pickup: $43
- Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $44
- Miraflores Cooking Class Ceviche, Tartar & Pisco Sour: $48
- #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $49
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $50
- Lima Food Tour & Market Experience: 13 Peruvian Bites: $50
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- Dinner at the Cala Restaurant in Lima: $63
- Lima Market Food Tour: $65
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $67
- Limeno Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
- Criollo Nights Lima Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $31Lima $9.51
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Coba Ruins Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Return Home: $11
- Self Guided Audio Walking Tour of Tulum: $15
- Yaxmuul Cenote Park: Guided Tour with Mayan Ceremony: $23
- Entrance tickets to swim in 4 Cenotes in Casa Tortuga Park: $27
- Tulum Cenote Tour 5 Cenotes and Awaken Your Senses: $29
- Adrenaline Tulúm Tour: ATV, Zipline, and Cenote Adventure: $30
- Cancun: ATV Jungle Adventure, Cenote and Tulum Ruins Tour: $32
- Experience at Cenote Zemway in Tulum: $33
- Tulum Snorkeling: with 2 reef points, 2 hours tour: $36
- Experience Mayan Snorkeling and Swimming in Lagoon / Cenote in Tulum: $38
- Guided Day Tour to Chichén Itzá, Cenote Swim and Valladolid: $38
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$2.53
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Adventure at the Airport of Peru: $10
- Lima Cathedral Museum Entrance Ticket: $10
- Walking Tour to Miraflores and Barranco with a beer: $15
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
- Historic Lima & Catacombs Tour with Optional Pickup: $19
- City Tour Lima Half Day: $20
- A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20
- Tour in Lima with Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco: $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 dayTulum $25Lima $6.18
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$8.01
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Beer$4.47
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Cocktail$3.58
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Discover Barranco's Nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
- Discover Miraflores nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $24
- Bar Crawl Night Tour in Miraflores: $38
- Lima Nightlife Tour & Society – Cultural Pub Crawl: $50
- From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Lima, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North America 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 Tulum would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tulum 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 Tulum Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 920 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum 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 Tulum or Lima?
Tulum 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 Tulum or Lima in the Summer?
Both Lima and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Tulum is much warmer than Lima in the summer. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Tulum. In July, Tulum usually receives more rain than Lima. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 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 JulyTulum 28°C (83°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Lima in the Autumn?
Both Lima and Tulum during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
In the autumn, Tulum is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tulum in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Lima averages at about 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the autumn, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Lima. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets more rain in October than Lima. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Tulum. June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. Also, the hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Lima in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Lima. Many visitors come to Tulum in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as Lima. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 23°C (74°F), and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Lima during winter. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Tulum usually receives more rain than Lima. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 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 JanuaryTulum 23°C (74°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Lima in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Lima. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Tulum is a little warmer than Lima in the spring. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the spring, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Lima. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.
Tulum usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Tulum is the dry season. June to October in Tulum is the rainy season. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Tulum
| Tulum | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 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.