Which place is cheaper, Paracas or Liberia?
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 Liberia or Paracas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Liberia and Paracas. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Liberia or Paracas?
Liberia
Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.
Paracas
Paracas, also known as El Chaco, is a resort town on the Southern coast of the country, about 150 miles south of Lima. The town in located in one of the oldest regions of Peru, with a history dating back to 900 BC and offers many pre-Inca cultural sites throughout the area. Paracas is possibly best known for being home to the Paracas National Reserve, a nature reserve boasting one of the most abundant and diverse ecosystems in the world.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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Liberia Prices
Costa Rica PricesParacas Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLiberia $128Paracas $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Liberia is $128, while the average daily cost in Paracas is $84. 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 Liberia and Paracas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLiberia $60Paracas $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLiberia $120Paracas $48
Compare Hotels in Liberia and Paracas
Looking for a hotel in Liberia or Paracas? 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: Liberia Hotel Prices and Paracas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Liberia $43Paracas $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Bike Rental$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:
- ATO Liberia Private Transfer to Nosara: $115
- Airport transfer Liberia from and to Tamarindo (One way) : $107
- Costa Rica Private LIR Airport Arrival Transfer : $6.00
- GUANACASTE COSTA RICA Airport Transfers | Shuttle Service: $75
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Flamingo/Tamarindo - Arrival Transfer: $123
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Peñas Blancas - Arrival Private Transfer: $106
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Playa Grande Round-Trip Private Transfer: $214
- Liberia Airport to Hotels One Way Private Transfer: $110
- Liberia Airport to Hotels Round Trip Private Transfers: $220
- Liberia Airport to La Fortuna Private VIP Transfer: $179
- Peñas Blancas to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $106
- Private Airport Shuttle Transfer Playa del Coco Hermosa Ocotal: $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:
- Paracas Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
- Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
- Private Transfer From San Juan Airport (SJU) to /from San Juan: $44
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $220
- Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $220
Is it cheaper to fly into Liberia or Paracas?
Prices for flights to both Paracas and Liberia 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 dayLiberia $36Paracas $42
Typical Food Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Snacks$1.97
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Lunch at The Shack (for 1)$4.94
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Lunch$11
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Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)$14
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Ginger Ale$1.28
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Liberia $25Paracas $26
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
- 2 Hour Coffee & Chocolate Tour in Playas del Coco: $40
- Rincón de la Vieja Rainforest Hot Springs Experience: $40
- La Leona waterfall adventure hike half day : $45
- Skip the Line: Diamante Eco Adventure Park: Animal Sanctuary Discovery Ticket: $55
- Cultural Experience Tour: $68
- Day pass to Ponderosa Adventure Park : $70
- Rincón de la Vieja Extreme Canopy Adventure: $74
- Vandará Nature Pass Thermal Springs & Cultural Tour in Costa Rica: $75
- Nature Wildlife Safari Float Tour from La Fortuna-Arenal: $76
- 8 Essential Guanacaste Experiences: culture, nature & wellness : $78
- Volcano Horseback Ride, Mud Bath & Costa Rican Lunch Adventure: $80
- 2 Hour ATV Private Tour in Costa Rica: $81
Tours and Activities in Paracas
Here are a few actual costs in Paracas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Paracas Desert Bike Adventure: $15
- Ballestas Islands Group Tour from Paracas : $15
- Ballestas Islands and Candelabro Boat Tour: $15
- Ballestas Islands: Peru’s Natural Paradise boat tour: $16
- BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $16
- Ballestas Islands Guided Boat Tour: $17
- speedboat BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $17
- From Ballestas Islands tour all Inclusive: $17
- Ballestas Islands tour all Inclusive: $18
- Tours to Ballestas Islands by Speed Boat: $20
- Tour Ballestas Islands: $20
- Ballestas Islands Morning Boat Tour: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLiberia $13Paracas $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Liberia and Paracas, we can see that Liberia is more expensive. And not only is Paracas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Liberia is in Central America and Paracas 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 Paracas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Paracas 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 Liberia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Liberia than you might in Paracas.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Liberia Expensive? and Is Paracas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Liberia or Paracas?
Liberia has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of Liberia and Paracas, 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.