vs
Limais 41% cheaper — BDI "Good Deal" (61/10) vs San Jose "Fair" (43/10). Dorms avg $10/night vs $13/night.
Quick Verdict
Best For…
Traveler type
🇵🇪 Lima
🇨🇷 San Jose
Solo budget traveler
★★★★★
19 hostels, avg 9.2 rating
★★★★★
5 hostels, avg 8.7 rating
Couple on a budget
★★★★★
Private rooms avg $33/night
★★★★★
Private rooms avg $34/night
Digital nomad
★★★★★
Coffee $2.99, dorms avg $10
★★★★★
Coffee $4.06, dorms avg $13
Nightlife seeker
★★★★★
Beer $2.38, 19 hostels
★★★★★
Beer $2.80, 5 hostels
First-time Europer
★★★★★
30 attractions
★★★★★
23 attractions
Cost Comparison
Daily Budget
| Tier | 🇵🇪 Lima | 🇨🇷 San Jose | You Save / day |
|---|---|---|---|
Shoestring Dorm bed · street food · free activities | $19 cheaper | $33 | $14/day |
Comfortable Mix of dorm & private · restaurants | $37 cheaper | $61 | $24/day |
Flashpacker Private rooms · dining out · some tours | $70 cheaper | $104 | $34/day |
Price Intelligence
Seasonal Price Curve
Everyday Costs
Cost of Living
| Item | 🇵🇪 Lima | 🇨🇷 San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| 🥙Street food meal Local market, street stall | $4.46 57% less | $10.39 |
| 🍽️Mid-range meal Sit-down restaurant, one person | $14.88 51% less | $30.58 |
| 🍺Beer (local draft) 500ml at a bar | $2.38 15% less | $2.80 |
| ☕Coffee Espresso or flat white | $2.99 26% less | $4.06 |
| 🚇Single metro / bus Standard single ticket | $0.71 32% less | $1.04 |
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
🇨🇷▼
San Jose
Costa Rica
43
BDI: Fair
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Moderate dorm prices (avg $13/night).
Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelViajero San Jose Hostel (9.6)
Annual dorm avg$13/night
Total hostels5
Entry Requirements
Visa & Entry
Passport
🇵🇪 Lima
🇨🇷 San Jose
🇪🇺 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 & San Jose
Climate
Weather & Best Time to Visit
°C · mm
🇵🇪 Lima
26°C
High
/
21°C
Low
🌧 Rainfall: 29mm/month
Best months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
🇨🇷 San Jose
27°C
High
/
18°C
Low
🌧 Rainfall: 69mm/month
Best months: Feb, 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
🇨🇷 San Jose
No attraction data
Common Questions
FAQ
Is Lima or San Jose cheaper for backpackers?+
How many hostels are in Lima vs San Jose?+
Do I need a visa for Lima or San Jose?+
When is the best time to visit Lima or San Jose?+
What's the cheapest month to visit Lima and San Jose?+
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