vs
Cuscois 3% cheaper — BDI "Pricey" (34/10) vs Santa Marta "Fair" (41/10). Dorms avg $14/night vs $14/night.
Quick Verdict
Best For…
Traveler type
🇵🇪 Cusco
🇨🇴 Santa Marta
Solo budget traveler
★★★★★
5 hostels, avg 9.6 rating
★★★★★
19 hostels, avg 9.4 rating
Couple on a budget
★★★★★
Private rooms avg $63/night
★★★★★
Private rooms avg $48/night
Digital nomad
★★★★★
Coffee $3.15, dorms avg $14
★★★★★
Coffee $1.72, dorms avg $14
Nightlife seeker
★★★★★
Beer $2.23, 5 hostels
★★★★★
Beer $1.02, 19 hostels
First-time Europer
★★★★★
21 attractions
★★★★★
22 attractions
Cost Comparison
Daily Budget
| Tier | 🇵🇪 Cusco | 🇨🇴 Santa Marta | You Save / day |
|---|---|---|---|
Shoestring Dorm bed · street food · free activities | $16 cheaper | $17 | $1/day |
Comfortable Mix of dorm & private · restaurants | $33 cheaper | $35 | $3/day |
Flashpacker Private rooms · dining out · some tours | $63 cheaper | $72 | $9/day |
Price Intelligence
Seasonal Price Curve
Everyday Costs
Cost of Living
| Item | 🇵🇪 Cusco | 🇨🇴 Santa Marta |
|---|---|---|
| 🥙Street food meal Local market, street stall | $3.38 14% less | $3.91 |
| 🍽️Mid-range meal Sit-down restaurant, one person | $13.15 28% less | $18.15 |
| 🍺Beer (local draft) 500ml at a bar | $2.23 | $1.02 54% less |
| ☕Coffee Espresso or flat white | $3.15 | $1.72 45% less |
| 🚇Single metro / bus Standard single ticket | $0.29 60% less | $0.73 |
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Our Verdict + Hostel Quality
🇵🇪▼
Cusco
Peru
34
BDI: Pricey
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Moderate dorm prices (avg $14/night).
Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelViajero Cusco Hostel (9.8)
Annual dorm avg$14/night
Total hostels5
🇨🇴▼
Santa Marta
Colombia
41
BDI: Fair
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Moderate dorm prices (avg $14/night).
Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelMagdalena Beach House (9.9)
Annual dorm avg$14/night
Total hostels19
Entry Requirements
Visa & Entry
Passport
🇵🇪 Cusco
🇨🇴 Santa Marta
🇪🇺 EU / EEA
Visa Free (183d)
Visa Free (90d)
🇺🇸 US
Visa Free (183d)
Visa Free (90d)
🇬🇧 UK
Visa Free (183d)
Visa Free (90d)
🇦🇺 Australia
Visa Free (183d)
Visa Free (90d)
🇨🇦 Canada
Visa Free (183d)
Visa Free (90d)
Flights
Getting There
City to City
Getting Between Cusco & Santa Marta
Climate
Weather & Best Time to Visit
°C · mm
🇵🇪 Cusco
16°C
High
/
9°C
Low
🌧 Rainfall: 178mm/month
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug
🇨🇴 Santa Marta
28°C
High
/
25°C
Low
🌧 Rainfall: 33mm/month
Best months: Jan, Feb, Mar
Common Questions
FAQ
Is Cusco or Santa Marta cheaper for backpackers?+
How many hostels are in Cusco vs Santa Marta?+
Do I need a visa for Cusco or Santa Marta?+
When is the best time to visit Cusco or Santa Marta?+
What's the cheapest month to visit Cusco and Santa Marta?+
Keep Exploring
People Also Compared
Ready to book?
Plan a trip to both cities
Full itinerary with real-time flights, hostels & transport — built on our 64k+ price index.
Build Your Itinerary →Free · No account required · Results in under 30 seconds