Is Chile Expensive?

Is Chile expensive to visit?

While Chile is a popular destination, it is also fairly affordable and not very expensive to visit. Compared to other countries in South America, travelers find it to be a very expensive country. Ranked in the top 10% of countries in South America for its travel prices, our cost analysis found it to be comparable to countries such as Uruguay.

Chile has a number of popular destinations that attract visitors. Some of the most expensive places to visit in Chile include Puerto Varas, Pucon, and Santiago. For more affordability, you can visit places like San Pedro de Atacama, Punta Arenas, and Valparaiso.


Average daily price of selected cities in Chile, by affordability
City Average Daily Cost
Santiago $148
Pucon $127
Puerto Varas $125
Iquique $120
Castro $112
La Serena $105
Puerto Natales $103
Easter Island $97
Torres del Paine National Park $95
Temuco $95
Valdivia $83
Valparaiso $82
Punta Arenas $78
San Pedro de Atacama $69


Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

How expensive is Chile?

The average daily spending amount for tourists in Chile tends to be around $118 (U.S. Dollars). Keep in mind that your travel style, spending habits, and trip length will influence these costs. However, you can keep fairly close to this budget if you opt for moderately priced hotels, dine at economical restaurants, and make use of public transportation when available. See more travel costs for Chile here.

How expensive is a one week trip to Chile?

A one week trip to Chile costs about $829 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,659.

How expensive is a two week trip to Chile?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a two week trip to Chile costs around $1,659 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a two week trip costs $3,318.

How expensive is a month long trip to Chile?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one month trip to Chile will cost around $3,555 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one month trip would cost $7,110.



Easter Island, Chile

Is it expensive to backpack in Chile?

Chile is a very popular destination for backpackers, offering an extensive network of over 160 hostels across the country. The average cost for a dorm room in these hostels is approximately $17 per night. (See detailed information on hostel prices in Chile here.) Notably, backpackers often flock to the popular hostels in Santiago, San Pedro de Atacama, and Puerto Natales. If you're looking for budget-friendly options, Vina del Mar, Puerto Varas, and Valparaiso has some of the most affordable hostels, averaging $14, $13, and $12 per night. Conversely, you'll find the most expensive hostels on average in Pichilemu, Punta Arenas, and Puerto Natales with an average cost of $19, $19, and $18 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Chile.

  • $12 for a dorm bed at La Chimba Hostel in Santiago
  • $18 for a dorm bed at Hostal Rural in San Pedro de Atacama
  • $14 for a dorm bed at Hostel Last Hope in Puerto Natales

Where to find affordable hostels in Chile
City Number of Hostels Average Price for a Dorm
Santiago 34 $16
San Pedro de Atacama 26 $16
Puerto Natales 20 $18
Valparaiso 13 $12
Punta Arenas 10 $19
Pucon 8 $16
Pichilemu 7 $19
Arica 7 $15
La Serena 5 $16
Vina del Mar 5 $14
Puerto Varas 5 $13

Are hotels expensive in Chile?

Hotel prices in Chile are somewhat cheaper compared to other countries around the world. You can expect to spend about $90 a night for a room on average. Some cities in Chile are more expensive than others, like Easter Island, where hotel prices average $1,034 a night. There are also even more affordable destinations such as Temuco, averaging $54 per night for a hotel room.


Where to find affordable hotels in Chile
City Average Hotel Price
Easter Island $1,034
Torres del Paine National Park $807
Puerto Natales $121
Punta Arenas $108
San Pedro de Atacama $103
Santiago $70
Valparaiso $60
Puerto Montt $56
Arica $55
Temuco $54

Constiitucion 195, Santiago
Overall Rating 9.4
Tocopilla 411, San Pedro de Atacama
Overall Rating 9.4


Atacama, Chile

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Chile?

In Chile, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the country. On average, previous travelers have spent around $26 per day on sightseeing and entertainment.

  • A full Private Tour of Valparaiso from Santiago : $240
  • Guided Half Day Kayak Tour with Picnic in Villa la Angostura: $115
  • Valpo in 1 day: Authentic + Famous! Semi-private walking tour & public transport: $80
  • Full-Day Tour to Perito Moreno Glacier (Natales): $120
  • Mountain Bike Experience from Chile: $289
  • The Tour of Valparaiso in French on foot and in a small group: $18
  • Tour Guiado en Kayak por Rio Maullin / Medío dia en Pto. Varas : $115
  • Private San Cristobal Hill Mountain Bike Tour: $139

Is food expensive in Chile?

In Chile, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $38 per day on food, per person.

  • Santiago Chilean and Peruvian Cooking Class with a Local Carol: $184
  • Legacy Family Tour Lunch or Dinner Pairing 4 Strokes: $40
  • Astronomical dinner, accompanied by a magical sky.: $70
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $122
  • Cooking Classes in Viña del Mar Learn to Make Tapas and Desserts: $65
  • Chilean Cooking Class in Santiago with Wine Pairings : $228


Puerto Natales, Chile

Is transportation expensive in Chile?

Local transportation in Chile can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $14 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

Expenses for intercity transportation within Chile can vary based on the type of transportation used and the distance traveled. On average, previous travelers have spent $51 per person per day for intercity transit. To save money, it's advisable to choose long-distance buses or trains over air travel. This is generally a more cost-effective choice despite the potential increase in travel time.

More for Chile

If you're planning a trip to Chile, check out these other informative travel guides.



We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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