vs
Limais 17% cheaper — BDI "Good Deal" (61/10) vs Medellin "Pricey" (34/10). Dorms avg $10/night vs $20/night.
Quick Verdict
Best For…
Traveler type
🇵🇪 Lima
🇨🇴 Medellin
Solo budget traveler
★★★★★
19 hostels, avg 9.2 rating
★★★★★
5 hostels, avg 8.9 rating
Couple on a budget
★★★★★
Private rooms avg $33/night
★★★★★
Private rooms avg $70/night
Digital nomad
★★★★★
Coffee $2.99, dorms avg $10
★★★★★
Coffee $1.92, dorms avg $20
Nightlife seeker
★★★★★
Beer $2.38, 19 hostels
★★★★★
Beer $1.90, 5 hostels
First-time Europer
★★★★★
30 attractions
★★★★★
28 attractions
Cost Comparison
Daily Budget
| Tier | 🇵🇪 Lima | 🇨🇴 Medellin | You Save / day |
|---|---|---|---|
brokepackr Dorm bed · street food · free activities | $19 cheaper | $23 | $4/day |
backpackr Mix of dorm & private · restaurants | $37 cheaper | $41 | $4/day |
flashpackr Private rooms · dining out · some tours | $70 cheaper | $74 | $4/day |
Price Intelligence
Seasonal Price Curve
Everyday Costs
Cost of Living
| Item | 🇵🇪 Lima | 🇨🇴 Medellin |
|---|---|---|
| 🥙Street food meal Local market, street stall | $4.46 34% less | $6.78 |
| 🍽️Mid-range meal Sit-down restaurant, one person | $14.88 16% less | $17.61 |
| 🍺Beer (local draft) 500ml at a bar | $2.38 | $1.90 20% less |
| ☕Coffee Espresso or flat white | $2.99 | $1.92 36% less |
| 🚇Single metro / bus Standard single ticket | $0.71 24% less | $0.94 |
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Our Verdict + Hostel Quality
🇵🇪▼
Lima
Peru
61
BDI: Good Deal
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Moderate dorm prices (avg $10/night). Plenty to see (30 attractions).
Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelBeraja Family Hostel (9.9)
Annual dorm avg$10/night
Total hostels19
🇨🇴▼
Medellin
Colombia
34
BDI: Pricey
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Higher dorm prices (avg $20/night).
Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelBlack Sheep Hostel Medellin (9.6)
Annual dorm avg$20/night
Total hostels5
Entry Requirements
Visa & Entry
Passport
🇵🇪 Lima
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇪🇺 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 Lima & Medellin
Climate
Weather & Best Time to Visit
°C · mm
🇵🇪 Lima
26°C
High
/
21°C
Low
🌧 Rainfall: 29mm/month
Best months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
🇨🇴 Medellin
27°C
High
/
17°C
Low
🌧 Rainfall: 288mm/month
Best months: Mar
Things To Do
Top Attractions
🇵🇪 Lima
1. Fortaleza de CampoyFree
2. Arco de SalamancaFree
3. Circuito Mágico del AguaFree
4. El DinosaurioFree
5. Huaca La PalmaFree
🇨🇴 Medellin
1. CaballoFree
2. CabezaFree
3. Casa Museo OtraparteFree
4. Centro Cultural Facultad de Artes U de AFree
5. El hombre ante los grandes descubrimientos…Free
Common Questions
FAQ
Is Lima or Medellin cheaper for backpackers?+
How many hostels are in Lima vs Medellin?+
Do I need a visa for Lima or Medellin?+
When is the best time to visit Lima or Medellin?+
What's the cheapest month to visit Lima and Medellin?+
Keep Exploring
People Also Compared
Keep Exploring
Explore These Cities
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