Which place is cheaper, Lima or Wellington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Wellington or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Wellington or Lima? 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: Wellington or Lima?
Wellington
Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. It sits on the southwestern edge of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It's a beautiful setting that is encircled by mountains giving it a beautiful backdrop. There are also many cultural sights and attractions around town. Wellington really is the perfect mix of New Zealand's natural beauty and a vibrant urban core. The film industry is also prevelant in the city. The city's production centers have helped create Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, Tin Tin, and District 9.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, 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 dayWellington $104Lima $76
The average daily cost (per person) in Wellington is $104, 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 Wellington and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWellington $61Lima $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWellington $122Lima $98
Compare Hotels in Wellington and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Wellington 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: Wellington Hotel Prices and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Wellington $12Lima $5.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport: $13
- Arrival Transfer: Wellington Airport to Central Wellington City Centre Hotels: $13
- Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Wellington Cruise Port to Wellington Hotels: $26
- Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- Wētā Workshop Experience with Guided Transfers: $61
- Private Transfer with Wellington Dial a Driver: $72
- Wellington Airport Transfer to Wellington Hotels and Vice versa: $75
- Private Airport Transfer: $78
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:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Lima HTL-APT (LIM): $34
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Lima APT-HTL (LIM) : $34
- Transfers from / to Lima airport: $43
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Lima Jorge Chávez Airport to Lima City: $40
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Lima City to Airport: $40
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Lima City - Lima Airport (LIM): $61
- Transfer from Lima city to the airport: $18
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
- The Larco Museum Complete Tour with transfers: $52
- Tegucigalpa to Tegucigalpa Toncontin Airport (TGU) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Taxi transfers from and to the Lima Airport and Paracas Ica: $20
- Round-Trip Transfer in Private Minivan from-to Lima Airport (LIM) in Lima City: $122
Is it cheaper to fly into Wellington or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Wellington 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 dayWellington $30Lima $17
Typical Food Prices in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner$9.02
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Food Tour Of Wellington: $151
- A Taste Of Wellington Food Tour (half Day): $185
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.Wellington $16Lima $8.57
Tours and Activities in Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Return Cable Car Ticket: $6.61
- Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa: Gallipoli Early Entry Ticket: $9.02
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Guided Tour: $12
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa: Mana Māori Tour: $12
- Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa Twilight Express Tour: $12
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa: Small Group Guided Tour: $14
- Wellington Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Skip the Line: Staglands Wildlife Reserve Entry Ticket: $16
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Temple: $27
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Spaceship: $27
- Wētā Workshop Experience and Guided Tour: $33
- Wētā Workshop Experience in Wellington: $33
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:
- Lima bike and 5 Step Food Tasting Experience: $92
- The best of Lima walking tour: $198
- Cultural Tour of the city of Lima & Gastronomic: $62
- 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $279
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $149
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $149
- 2d/1n Tour: Flight to the Nazca, Paracas and Huacachina Lines: $289
- 3 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $289
- 3 Day Tour to Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $159
- 3-Day Trip to Lima Tour Package: $150
- 3-Hour Private Scooter Tour through Miraflores with Guide: $50
- 360° Panoramic bus - Sightseeing Tour: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWellington $12Lima $5.57
Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington
Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half Day Tour: $93
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $96
- 5 hour Martinborough shared Chefs Wine Tour with Gourmet lunch: $151
- Martinborough Full Day Wine Tour: $169
- Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $361
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 Wellington and Lima, we can see that Wellington is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Wellington is in Pacific 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 Wellington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wellington 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 Wellington Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Wellington or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Wellington 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 Wellington or Lima?
Wellington 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 Wellington or Lima in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Lima. Most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
In January, Wellington is generally around the same temperature as Limain July. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 18°C (64°F), and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wellington this time of the year. In the summer, Wellington often gets more sunshine than Limain July. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun.
Wellington usually gets more rain in January than Limain July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyWellington 18°C (64°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Lima in the Autumn?
Both Lima and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Wellington because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Wellington is cooler than Lima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.
Wellington usually receives more sunshine than Lima during autumn. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In April, Wellington usually receives more rain than Limain October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberWellington 15°C (58°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Lima in the Winter?
Both Lima and Wellington during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wellington this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
In the winter, Wellington is much colder than Lima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wellington in July average around 10°C (49°F), and Lima averages at about 23°C (73°F)in January.
In the winter, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Limain January. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. Wellington usually gets more rain in July than Limain January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryWellington 10°C (49°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Lima in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Lima. Many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Wellington is generally much colder than Limain April. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 13°C (55°F), and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
Wellington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lima during spring. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Wellington usually receives more rain than Limain April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilWellington 13°C (55°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Wellington
| Wellington | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.