Which place is cheaper, Lima or Vientiane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vientiane or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane 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: Vientiane or Lima?
Vientiane
You wouldn't expect the capital city to have such a relaxing environment, but in Vientiane, Laos you can sit back and take in the beautiful scenery without feeling pressure to see every little thing. With Vientiane, what you see is what you get.
While picturesque temples and markets line the streets, the city is still experiencing a successful building boom. Even the Presidential Palace has undergone some hefty renovations.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $15Lima $76
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $15, while the average daily cost in Lima is $76. 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 Vientiane and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $6.00Lima $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $12Lima $98
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane 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: Vientiane Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.08Lima $5.67
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
- Vientiane Private Airport and Hotel Transfers: $9.00
- Vientiane Airport Transfer: Wattay airport to hotel - Private transfer: $15
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.37
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Taxi Ride$5.37
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Short Taxi Ride$4.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $5.00
- Lima Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Miraflores: $5.63
- Lima Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Lima city center: $6.00
- Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport to Hotels in Lima: $13
- LIMA AIRPORT SHUTTLE - Shared Transfer: $13
- Private transfers from Lima Airport or to Lima Airport: $17
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
- Transfer from Lima city to the airport: $18
- Taxi transfers from and to the Lima Airport and Paracas Ica: $20
- Private Transfer from Lima Airport to Hotel by Aludy Travel: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Vientiane 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 dayVientiane $6.30Lima $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Private Evening Food Tour of Laos: $70
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.30
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Ice cream$3.49
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Coffee$2.95
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Donut$0.94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Market Food Tour: $33
- Lima Market Food Tour: $34
- Peruvian Food Tour Through Local Markets: $40
- Ceviche Cooking Class Including Pisco Sour Lesson: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.53Lima $8.57
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Vientiane ATV and Canopy Walking Experience: $48
- Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $55
- From Hue: Hue to Vientiane Bus tickets: $61
- Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour: $67
- Vientiane Half-Day City Tour: $69
- Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $81
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Vientiane: $82
- Vientiane City Day Tour and Buddha Park Visit with Lunch: $88
- 2 Days Private Tour in Vientiane and Vang Vieng: $90
- Private Vientiane Tour - include Buddha Park: $100
- Private Tour: Full-day Vientiane's Must-See Sights and River Sunset with Lunch: $101
- Private Tour: Half-day City Guided Tour of Vientiane: $113
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)$16
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Movie Tickets$2.28
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Free Walking Tour of Lima: $2.00
- Peru's Best Bike Experience since 2014 - 4 Hours Hire: $9.90
- Customize your trip to Peru with Lima Experience: $12
- bike tour: $12
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $13
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Barranco Street Art Tour: $17
- Party tour Fridays Barranco / Saturdays Miraflores: $18
- Private Beach Guided Bike Tour in Lima : $19
- Private Tour with guide in Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI: $20
- Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $20
- Lima Downtown Tour from Miraflores in 3 hrs: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.34Lima $5.57
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$7.23
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Beer$4.03
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Cocktail$3.22
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $12
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $18
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Party Tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl and Drinks: $18
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $25
- Local Wine Tour : $39
- Local Wine Tour: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Lima, we can see that Lima is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vientiane is in Asia 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 Vientiane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vientiane 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 Lima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lima than you might in Vientiane.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vientiane Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane 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 Vientiane or Lima?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Vientiane or Lima in the Summer?
Both Lima and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Vientiane. In July, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Lima. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.
Vientiane is much warmer than Lima in the summer. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Lima in the Autumn?
Both Lima and Vientiane during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
Vientiane usually gets more rain in October than Lima. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the autumn, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Lima. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Vientiane is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vientiane in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Lima averages at about 19°C (66°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Lima in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Lima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Lima. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Lima during winter. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Vientiane is generally around the same temperature as Lima. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 24°C (75°F), and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Lima in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Lima. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Vientiane usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In the spring, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Lima. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.
It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. Vientiane is a little warmer than Lima in the spring. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.