Comparison · Buenos Aires vs Lima · Argentina / Peru
Buenos Aires vs Lima
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Choose Buenos Aires for Tango, Steak and Malbec and free sights; choose Lima for Ceviche, Pisco sour, lower day-to-day costs and beaches. Lima is generally less expensive, and the two are about 3,137 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 3,137 km
- Less expensive
- Lima
- Best time for Buenos Aires
- March–May and October–November
- Best time for Lima
- December–April
Side by side
| Buenos Aires | Lima | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Argentina | Peru |
| Known for | Tango, Steak and Malbec and Recoleta Cemetery | Ceviche, Pisco sour and Malecón de Miraflores |
| Best time to visit | March–May and October–November | December–April |
| Ideal stay | 5 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $110–$220 | $100–$180 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Affordable |
| Warmest month | January, 30°C (86°F) | February, 27°C (81°F) |
| Coldest month | July, 15°C (59°F) | August, 18°C (64°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 10 | 4 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 5 |
| Beaches | — | Costa Verde, Miraflores |
| Airports | EZE, AEP | LIM |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Buenos Aires for…
Tango, Steak and Malbec and free sights. Buenos Aires spreads along the Río de la Plata in a grid of barrios, each with its own character: the colonial streets of San Telmo, the mansions and cemetery of Recoleta, the boutiques and restaurants of Palermo and the government buildings around Plaza de…
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Choose Lima for…
Ceviche, Pisco sour, lower day-to-day costs and beaches. Peru's capital spreads along desert cliffs above the Pacific, and for many visitors it is the gateway to Cusco and Machu Picchu. It deserves more than a stopover: Lima is one of South America's great food cities, from cevicherías and chifa to world-ranked…
Top sights compared
| # | Buenos Aires | Lima |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Recoleta Cemetery | Plaza Mayor |
| 2 | Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada | Cathedral of Lima |
| 3 | Teatro Colón | Monastery of San Francisco |
| 4 | Caminito, La Boca | Larco Museum |
| 5 | La Bombonera and the Boca Juniors museum | Huaca Pucllana |
Food compared
| Buenos Aires | Lima |
|---|---|
| Asado and bife de chorizo | Ceviche |
| Empanadas | Leche de tigre |
| Choripán | Lomo saltado |
| Provoleta | Ají de gallina |
Which is cheaper?
Lima is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $100–$180 per person there, against $110–$220 in Buenos Aires (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Lima on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 3,137 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 9 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Buenos Aires or Lima cheaper?
Lima is usually less expensive: about $100–$180 a day mid-range against $110–$220 (estimates).
+Is Buenos Aires or Lima better for a first trip?
Pick Buenos Aires for Tango, Steak and Malbec and free sights, or Lima for Ceviche, Pisco sour, lower day-to-day costs and beaches.
+How far is Buenos Aires from Lima?
About 3,137 km in a straight line.