16 destinations · 6 comparison metrics · instant results

Costa Rica vs Peru

Costa Rica from about $70/day against Peru from about $40/day — compared on daily cost, the months to go and what each one is actually best for. Add a third destination below to widen the comparison.

🇨🇷

Costa Rica

Central America

WildlifeEco-TourismAdventureBeaches

🇵🇪

Peru

South America

HistoryAdventureTrekkingFood

Destination 3

Metric	🇨🇷 Costa Rica Central America	🇵🇪 Peru South America
Daily budget	$70–$120/day budget → mid	$40–$75/day budget → mid
Safety	Level 2 · Exercise a high degree of cautionAustralian Govt advice, 2026-03-12	Level 2 · Exercise a high degree of cautionAustralian Govt advice, 2026-10-02
Visa	Visa-free · up to 180 days at officer discretion Return ticket and proof of about US$100 per month of stay are asked for on arrival.	Visa-free · normally 90 days, up to 183/yr at officer discretion The 90 days is the normal grant, not a right — the officer decides, up to 183 days per year.
Internet	🟡 Good	🟠 Fair
Best months	JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec	JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Vibe	WildlifeEco-TourismAdventureBeaches	HistoryAdventureTrekkingFood
Avg meal	$6–15/meal	$3–12/meal
Stay	$30–100/night	$15–60/night
Best for	Wildlife enthusiasts, adventure seekers, eco-travelers	History buffs, trekkers, South America first-timers
Avoid	May–November (green/rainy season — still beautiful, just wetter + cheaper)	November–April (rainy season, Inca Trail closes February)

Destination details

🇨🇷

Costa Rica

Central America

Arenal volcano

Manuel Antonio sloths

Monteverde cloud forest

White-water rafting

Language: Spanish / English widely spoken

Currency: Costa Rican Colón (CRC)

Transport: $10–25/day (bus or rental car)

🇵🇪

Peru

South America

Machu Picchu citadel

Inca Trail 4-day hike

Colca Canyon condors

Lima food scene

Language: Spanish/Quechua / English at tourist sites

Currency: Peruvian Sol (PEN)

Transport: $5–15/day (bus/taxi)

Verify before you book

Daily costs here are planning estimates, not quotes, and the visa and safety figures are editorial summaries rather than official determinations. Entry rules in particular change without notice and depend on your own passport — confirm them against these primary sources before you spend money or board a flight.

IATA Travel Centre entry requirementsPassport, visa and health rules by nationality and destination — the dataset airlines check at check-in.US State Department travel advisoriesOfficial US destination risk levels, entry requirements and country-specific safety guidance.UK FCDO foreign travel adviceUK government destination advice covering safety, security, health, entry, and local laws.Australia Smartraveller destinationsAustralian government destination advice levels and recent advisory changes.