vs
Santa Martais 12% cheaper — BDI "Fair" (41/10) vs Lima "Good Deal" (61/10). Dorms avg $10/night vs $14/night.
Quick Verdict
Best For…
Traveler type
🇵🇪 Lima
🇨🇴 Santa Marta
Solo budget traveler
★★★★★
19 hostels, avg 9.2 rating
★★★★★
19 hostels, avg 9.4 rating
Couple on a budget
★★★★★
Private rooms avg $33/night
★★★★★
Private rooms avg $48/night
Digital nomad
★★★★★
Coffee $2.99, dorms avg $10
★★★★★
Coffee $1.72, dorms avg $14
Nightlife seeker
★★★★★
Beer $2.38, 19 hostels
★★★★★
Beer $1.02, 19 hostels
First-time Europer
★★★★★
30 attractions
★★★★★
22 attractions
Cost Comparison
Daily Budget
| Tier | 🇵🇪 Lima | 🇨🇴 Santa Marta | You Save / day |
|---|---|---|---|
Shoestring Dorm bed · street food · free activities | $19 | $17 cheaper | $2/day |
Comfortable Mix of dorm & private · restaurants | $37 | $35 cheaper | $2/day |
Flashpacker Private rooms · dining out · some tours | $70 cheaper | $72 | $2/day |
Price Intelligence
Seasonal Price Curve
Everyday Costs
Cost of Living
| Item | 🇵🇪 Lima | 🇨🇴 Santa Marta |
|---|---|---|
| 🥙Street food meal Local market, street stall | $4.46 | $3.91 12% less |
| 🍽️Mid-range meal Sit-down restaurant, one person | $14.88 18% less | $18.15 |
| 🍺Beer (local draft) 500ml at a bar | $2.38 | $1.02 57% less |
| ☕Coffee Espresso or flat white | $2.99 | $1.72 42% less |
| 🚇Single metro / bus Standard single ticket | $0.71 3% less | $0.73 |
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
🇨🇴▼
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
🇵🇪 Lima
🇨🇴 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 Lima & Santa Marta
Climate
Weather & Best Time to Visit
°C · mm
🇵🇪 Lima
26°C
High
/
21°C
Low
🌧 Rainfall: 29mm/month
Best months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
🇨🇴 Santa Marta
28°C
High
/
25°C
Low
🌧 Rainfall: 33mm/month
Best months: Jan, 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
🇨🇴 Santa Marta
No attraction data
Common Questions
FAQ
Is Lima or Santa Marta cheaper for backpackers?+
How many hostels are in Lima vs Santa Marta?+
Do I need a visa for Lima or Santa Marta?+
When is the best time to visit Lima or Santa Marta?+
What's the cheapest month to visit Lima 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