Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in Peru and Ecuador, from a coffee to an airport taxi: what locals pay, what tourist spots charge, and where your money goes further.
The numbers that decide a trip, in one table. Money in USD, the local price underneath.
What locals pay in Peru and Ecuador, item by item. Shown in USD at one daily rate so the two sides compare, with the local price underneath. Differences under 3% count as about the same.
Item by item, it tips the other way: 15 of the 29 items cost less in Peru, 13 in Ecuador. The Index also weighs how big each gap is.
Bottled, convenience store
Peru: ≈ $0.58 – $0.87 PEN 2–3 Ecuador: $0.50 – $1.00 Cafe or street vendor
Peru: ≈ $0.87 – $2 PEN 3–7 Ecuador: $1.00 – $2.50 Draft, at bar or restaurant
Peru: ≈ $1.50 – $3.50 PEN 5–12 Ecuador: $2 – $4 Tourist area, main course
Peru: ≈ $9 – $17 PEN 30–60 Ecuador: $8 – $20 Local market or stand
Peru: ≈ $2.30 – $5.80 PEN 8–20 Ecuador: $3 – $6 Mixed drink, bar
Peru: ≈ $7 – $12 PEN 25–40 Ecuador: $4 – $8 House wine, restaurant
Peru: ≈ $12 – $23 PEN 40–80 Ecuador: $8 – $15 Cafe or street stall
Peru: ≈ $0.87 – $1.70 PEN 3–6 Ecuador: $0.60 – $1.80 Standard route
Peru: ≈ $17 – $28 PEN 60–95 Ecuador: $25 – $35 Metered or typical fare
Peru: ≈ $2.30 – $4.40 PEN 8–15 Ecuador: $1.50 – $3.00 Single ride
Peru: ≈ $0.44 – $1 PEN 1.50–3.50 Ecuador: $0.30 – $0.60 Grab / Bolt / Uber
Peru: ≈ $3 – $12 PEN 10–40 Ecuador: $3 – $7 Tourist shop
Peru: ≈ $1.50 – $2.90 PEN 5–10 Ecuador: $1 – $3 Tourist shop
Peru: ≈ $4 – $10 PEN 15–35 Ecuador: $5 – $12 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
Peru: ≈ $6 – $23 PEN 20–80 Ecuador: $8 – $30 Data package
Peru: ≈ $4 – $13 PEN 15–45 Ecuador: $3 – $15 Pharmacy or shop
Peru: ≈ $12 – $26 PEN 40–90 Ecuador: $15 – $25 Supermarket
Peru: ≈ $0.58 – $1.20 PEN 2–4 Ecuador: $0.50 – $1.00 Pack of 20
Peru: ≈ $4.60 – $5.80 PEN 16–20 Ecuador: $3 – $5 Pack of 20 tablets
Peru: ≈ $0.58 – $2.30 PEN 2–8 Ecuador: $0.40 – $1.50 Spray or lotion
Peru: ≈ $2.90 – $5.20 PEN 10–18 Ecuador: $1.80 – $3.60 Local barbershop
Peru: ≈ $2.90 – $8.70 PEN 10–30 Ecuador: $3 – $10 Laundry service
Peru: ≈ $1.20 – $2.90 PEN 4–10 Ecuador: $1 – $3 Standard full-body massage
Peru: ≈ $6 – $15 PEN 20–50 Ecuador: $12 – $30 Basic cut, salon
Peru: ≈ $7 – $29 PEN 25–100 Ecuador: $8 – $25 Entrance ticket
Peru: ≈ $3 – $12 PEN 10–40 Ecuador: $3 – $15 Organized excursion
Peru: ≈ $15 – $35 PEN 50–120 Ecuador: $20 – $60 Organized excursion 6-8h
Peru: ≈ $38 – $73 PEN 130–250 Ecuador: $18 – $36 Local cuisine cooking class
Peru: ≈ $44 – $58 PEN 150–200 Ecuador: $45 – $100 Tourist prices are about 3.1× the fair price in Ecuador, against 2.6× in Peru.
Peru 27th lowest of 60
Ecuador 10th highest of 60
What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.
Peru Tip 10% in Peruvian restaurants, upscale restaurants in Lima often add a 10% service charge, so check first. At casual eateries, leaving 10% in cash is greatly appreciated. Tour guides in Cusco and Machu Picchu expect tips of 20–50 PEN per person per day.
Ecuador A 10% service charge is legally required on Ecuadorian restaurant bills, but it often goes to the restaurant rather than staff. Leaving an additional 5–10% cash tip directly to your waiter ensures they benefit personally and is customary in Quito and Guayaquil.
Yes. In Ecuador you pay about 3% less than in Peru at fair prices. TruePrice Index: Peru 90, Ecuador 87 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). Item by item, it tips the other way: 15 of the 29 items cost less in Peru, 13 in Ecuador. The Index also weighs how big each gap is.
About the same: roughly $185 in Peru and $189 in Ecuador at fair prices. That covers two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride a day. Flights and accommodation are not included. At tourist-trap prices the same week runs about $495 in Peru and $511 in Ecuador.
In Ecuador: food and drinks cost about 5% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $9 – $17 in Peru and $8 – $20 in Ecuador, street food $2.30 – $5.80 and $3 – $6.
In Ecuador: tourist prices there are about 3.1× the fair price on average, against 2.6× in Peru. The biggest gaps in Ecuador: local handcraft (5.3×), fridge magnet (5.3×), and laundry (5.3×).
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, Peru vs Ecuador, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/peru-vs-ecuador/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at contact@truepriceapp.com and I will check it.
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