A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Acapulco de Juarez vs. Puerto Varas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Varas?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Varas? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Varas?

Acapulco de Juarez

Located on the southwestern Pacific Coast of Mexico is the beautiful beach city of Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco is one of the original travel and resort destinations in Mexico, and it's still considered a popular spring break destination for Americans. Known as simply "Acapulco" to many travelers, this region is a popular spot for cruise lines to stop and timeshares to grow. Thanks to those cruise lines and timeshares, tourist activities like water parks and jet skis have experienced considerable growth.

Puerto Varas

Puerto Varas is a city in Southern Chile, in the Los Lagos (Lakes) Region, Llanquihue Province. It is a charming town, only 23 km away from Puerto Montt and surrounded by the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes as well as the impressive Llanquihue lake. In terms of landscape, accommodation and activities, Puerto Varas is well served! Kayak, paddle, canyoning, rock climbing, trekking, ski, fishing, you name it! If you decide to stop in that area, we recommend that you stay in Puerto Varas, as it provides the perfect starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Acapulco de Juarez?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Acapulco de Juarez is $81, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $109. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Acapulco de Juarez and Puerto Varas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Acapulco de Juarez $39
    Puerto Varas $67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Acapulco de Juarez $78
    Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in Acapulco de Juarez and Puerto Varas

Looking for a hotel in Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Varas? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Acapulco de Juarez


Hotels in Puerto Varas


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Acapulco de Juarez Hotel Prices and Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Acapulco de Juarez $16
    Puerto Varas $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Acapulco de Juarez

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Acapulco de Juarez:

  • Private Best Round Trip Airport - Hotel - Airport Transfer : $70
  • Acapulco Airport Transfer: $10
  • Acapulco hotels to Acapulco Airport (ACA) – Departure Private Transfer : $20
  • Airport Transfer in Suburban: $65
  • Private Airport Transfer &on 2nd Day 4Hr TourAll AttractionsCombo: $90
  • Shared transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA) - Acapulco: $6.00
  • Transfer in private minivan from Bahía de Acapulco -Acapulco Airport (ACA): $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:

  • Cruce Andino Office Private Transfer from Puerto Varas: $24
  • Puerto Varas Airport Private Transfer: $62
  • Puerto Varas Airport Shuttle Transfer: $38
  • Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $21
  • Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
  • Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
  • Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Varas?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas and Acapulco de Juarez change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Acapulco de Juarez $29
    Puerto Varas $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Acapulco de Juarez

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Acapulco de Juarez.

  • High Divers DeLuxe Three Course Dinner +Three Drinks plus SUNSET: $49
  • Cliff Diver De Luxe 3 Course Dinner at "La Quebrada" in Acapulco: $56
  • Off the Beaten Path Mexican Cooking Class Lagoon Boatride &Lunch: $89
  • Hands On Mexican Cooking Class with Food Tasting & Market Visit: $100
  • Bella Vista PRIVATE Al Fresco 3 Course Dinner Cliff Diver3Drinks: $191
  • Super DeLuxe Bella Vista Dinner &1 Drink +2 Drinks at CliffDivers: $193
  • Divers Show and Luxury Dinner in Acapulco: $199

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Acapulco de Juarez $18
    Puerto Varas $19

Tours and Activities in Acapulco de Juarez

Here are a few actual costs in Acapulco de Juarez for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Kayaks Tour to El Morro Islet: $25
  • Sunset Adventures: $30
  • Acapulco City Tour : $35
  • Small-Group or Private All Inclusive 4 Hours City Tour & Divers: $36
  • 4hr City Tour For Cruises or Hotels Diver Peace Chapel & Mural: $40
  • Combo 6 Hr Tour All City Highlights Divers Baby Turtle Release: $46
  • 4-6Hrs Acapulco City Tour With a Fun Guide. Diver Show, Mex Lunch: $47
  • 6Hr Cruisers or Hotels High Diver Peace Chapel BabyTurtleRelease: $50
  • Acapulco Malibu, Avenida Kids Tour : $50
  • 6Hr Cruise or Hotels City Tour, Divers, Baby Turtles Peace Chapel: $51
  • 6Hr City Tour Cruise or Hotel Turtle Nesting High Diver & Market: $51
  • Historical City Tour of Acapulco: $53

Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas

Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Tour Frutillar: $31
  • Half day Frutillar and Llanquihue Town tour: $34
  • Half day Osorno Volcano tour: $35
  • Half-Day Tour to Frutillar and Llanquihue: $35
  • Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $48
  • Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $48
  • From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
  • Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $50
  • From Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: Chiloé Island Tour: $60
  • FullDay Chiloe Island Tour Castro and dalcahue: $62
  • Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue : $62
  • Puerto Varas Mountain Biking Experience: $67

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Acapulco de Juarez $11
    Puerto Varas $6.51


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Acapulco de Juarez and Puerto Varas, we can see that Puerto Varas is more expensive. And not only is Acapulco de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Acapulco de Juarez is in North America and Puerto Varas is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Acapulco de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Acapulco de Juarez and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Puerto Varas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Varas than you might in Acapulco de Juarez.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Acapulco de Juarez Expensive? and Is Puerto Varas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Varas?

Acapulco de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Acapulco de Juarez and Puerto Varas, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Varas?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Puerto Varas is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Acapulco de Juarez has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Varas in the Summer?

Both Puerto Varas and Acapulco de Juarez are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Acapulco de Juarez is generally much warmer than Puerto Varasin January. Daily temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez average around 29°C (83°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Puerto Varas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during summer. Acapulco de Juarez gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Acapulco de Juarez. In July, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more rain than Puerto Varasin January. Acapulco de Juarez gets 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Acapulco de Juarez 29°C (83°F) 
    Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Varas and Acapulco de Juarez during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez for the shopping scene during these months.

Acapulco de Juarez is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Acapulco de Juarez. In the autumn, Acapulco de Juarez often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varasin April. Acapulco de Juarez gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 104 hours of full sun.

Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco de Juarez usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Puerto Varasin April. Acapulco de Juarez gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Acapulco de Juarez 28°C (83°F) 
    Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Varas in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Acapulco de Juarez and Puerto Varas. The winter months attract visitors to Acapulco de Juarez because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Acapulco de Juarez is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 7°C (45°F)in July.

In Acapulco de Juarez, it's very sunny this time of the year. Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during winter. Acapulco de Juarez gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.

Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives less rain than Puerto Varasin July. Acapulco de Juarez gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Acapulco de Juarez 26°C (79°F) 
    Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Varas in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Acapulco de Juarez as well as Puerto Varas. The beaches are the main draw to Acapulco de Juarez this time of year.

In April, Acapulco de Juarez is generally much warmer than Puerto Varasin October. Daily temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Acapulco de Juarez this time of the year. In the spring, Acapulco de Juarez often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varasin October. Acapulco de Juarez gets 274 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 151 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. Acapulco de Juarez usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Varasin October. Acapulco de Juarez gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Acapulco de Juarez 27°C (81°F) 
    Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Acapulco de Juarez

Acapulco de Juarez Puerto Varas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 9 mm (0.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 1 mm (0 in) 15°C (59°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Mar 26°C (79°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 11°C (51°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 9°C (49°F) 234 mm (9.2 in)
Jun 29°C (83°F) 271 mm (10.7 in) 8°C (46°F) 224 mm (8.8 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 209 mm (8.2 in) 7°C (45°F) 229 mm (9 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 312 mm (12.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 209 mm (8.2 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 341 mm (13.4 in) 9°C (47°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Oct 28°C (83°F) 145 mm (5.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 50 mm (2 in) 12°C (54°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 14°C (58°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)