Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Acapulco de Juarez?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Santiago? 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 Santiago?
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.
Santiago
Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.
Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAcapulco de Juarez $81Santiago $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Acapulco de Juarez is $81, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $141. 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 Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAcapulco de Juarez $39Santiago $110
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAcapulco de Juarez $78Santiago $220
Compare Hotels in Acapulco de Juarez and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Acapulco de Juarez or Santiago? 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.
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 Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Acapulco de Juarez $16Santiago $5.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Acapulco de Juarez
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Acapulco de Juarez:
- Shared transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA) - Acapulco: $6.00
- Acapulco Airport Transfer: $10
- Acapulco hotels to Acapulco Airport (ACA) – Departure Private Transfer : $20
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Bahía de Acapulco - Acapulco Airport (ACA): $24
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Acapulco Airport (ACA) -Bahía de Acapulco: $24
- Transfer in private minivan from Bahía de Acapulco -Acapulco Airport (ACA): $32
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Acapulco Airport (ACA) - Bahia de Acapulco: $49
- Airport Transfer in Suburban: $65
- Private - One Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $66
- Private Best Round Trip Airport - Hotel - Airport Transfer : $70
- Private Airport Transfer &on 2nd Day 4Hr TourAll AttractionsCombo: $90
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
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Metro Ride$1.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Airport transfer between Santiago city center and Arturo Merino Benítez Airport: $51
- Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
- Arturo Merino Benítez Intl Airport: Shared Transfer: $24
- Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Luxury Van: $85
- Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
- From Farellones/Valle Nevado Roundtrip Transfer: $35
- From Valle Nevado and Farellones with Transfer: $71
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $167
- Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
- Private Airport Transfer to/from Portillo Ski Resort: $210
- Private Round Trip Transfer on Santiago Of Chile City: $55
- Private Santiago Hotel or Airport Arrival Transfer to Viña del Mar or Valparaiso: $95
Is it cheaper to fly into Acapulco de Juarez or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago 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
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Food Meals for one dayAcapulco de Juarez $29Santiago $13
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 Divers Exhibition 2 Drinks + Tacos al Pastor Dinner & Beer: $55
- Cliff Diver De Luxe 3 Course Dinner at "La Quebrada" in Acapulco: $56
- Cliff Divers Show With Dinner At Acapulco: $72
- Wrestling-Lucha Libre Experience Tacos Beer Dinner Only SUNDAY: $84
- Off the Beaten Path Mexican Cooking Class Lagoon Boatride &Lunch: $89
- Hands ON - Mex Cooking Class Experience - City Market & Lunch : $90
- Hands On Mexican Cooking Class with Food Tasting & Market Visit: $100
- Mexican Fiesta Show & Dinner: $115
- 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
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.89
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Hamburger$2.50
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Dinner$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $94
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
- Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
- Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner and Show: $150
- Private Dinner and Show with Transfers: $158
- Traditional Chilean Cooking Class with a Local in Her Santiago Countryside Home: $168
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Acapulco de Juarez $18Santiago $47
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
- 4Hrs City Tour Exclusively for Hotels, Divers, Chapel & Mural.: $44
- 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
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
- Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
- La Paz from the Heights: Down hill Walking tour & Cable Cars: $12
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $15
- Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $23
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
- Skip the Line: Concha y Toro Traditional Tour Ticket: $25
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
- Walking tour through Santiago: $26
- From Valle Nevado and Farellones Small Group Tour: $29
- Small-Group Tour to Valle Nevado and Farellones from Santiago: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAcapulco de Juarez $11Santiago $8.41
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $37
- Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $62
- Undurraga Wine tour: $63
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
- From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $99
- Private Tour: Viña del Mar and Valparaíso Tour with Wine Tasting in Casablanca Valley: $143
- Premium Wine Tasting and Tour at Santa Rita with Transport: $145
- Santa Rita: Ultra Premium Wine Tasting, Tour and Transport: $145
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Acapulco de Juarez and Santiago, we can see that Santiago 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 Santiago 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 Santiago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santiago 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 Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Acapulco de Juarez or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Acapulco de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Acapulco de Juarez and Santiago, 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 Santiago?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Santiago 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 Santiago in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Acapulco de Juarez and Santiago. Most visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Acapulco de Juarez is generally a little warmer than Santiagoin January. Daily temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez average around 29°C (83°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Acapulco de Juarez gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Acapulco de Juarez gets 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryAcapulco de Juarez 29°C (83°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Acapulco de Juarez as well as Santiago. The autumn months attract visitors to Acapulco de Juarez because of the shopping scene.
Acapulco de Juarez is much warmer than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in April.
Acapulco de Juarez receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Acapulco de Juarez usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Acapulco de Juarez gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilAcapulco de Juarez 28°C (83°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Santiago in the Winter?
Both Santiago and Acapulco de Juarez are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Acapulco de Juarez this time of year.
In the winter, Acapulco de Juarez is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F)in July.
In January, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Acapulco de Juarez gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyAcapulco de Juarez 26°C (79°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago and Acapulco de Juarez during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Acapulco de Juarez for the beaches.
In April, Acapulco de Juarez is generally much warmer than Santiagoin October. Daily temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez average around 27°C (81°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Acapulco de Juarez usually gets less rain in April than Santiagoin October. Acapulco de Juarez gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberAcapulco de Juarez 27°C (81°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Acapulco de Juarez
| Acapulco de Juarez | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 271 mm (10.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 341 mm (13.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.