Which place is cheaper, Puerto Natales or Asuncion?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Asuncion or Puerto Natales?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Asuncion or Puerto Natales, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Asuncion or Puerto Natales?
Asuncion
Asuncion is a vastly underrated city. It is the capital but also the administrative economic and cultural center of Paraguay. It is located in the south central part of the country, near the border with Argentina and it is one of the oldest cities in South America, with people living here since almost 500 years. The city has a beautiful and simple center, with a few unique colonial and beaux arts buildings, international cuisine, shady plazas and friendly people. Its handful of historic buildings around the Plaza de los Heroes, Plaza Uruguaya and Manzana de la Ribera, two or three small museums, old bars and cafes, but also smart suburbs, ritzy shopping malls and fashionable nightclubs will keep you entertained for a day or two. It is a very charming city for travellers and apart from the sights, the city boasts a good tourist infrastructure with hotels and restaurants.
Puerto Natales
Puerto Natales is a beautiful town located in the Chilean Patagonia on the Senoret Channel. The city is often used as a base camp for trips to the surrounding national parks due to their plentiful restaurant options and access to internet. Puerto Natales is also known for being the base city to the Torres del Paine National Park, which was named the 5th most beautiful place in the world by National Geographic.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Chile, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAsuncion $68Puerto Natales $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Asuncion is $68, while the average daily cost in Puerto Natales is $84. 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 Asuncion and Puerto Natales in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAsuncion $22Puerto Natales $38
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAsuncion $44Puerto Natales $76
Compare Hotels in Asuncion and Puerto Natales
Looking for a hotel in Asuncion or Puerto Natales? 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: Asuncion Hotel Prices and Puerto Natales Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Asuncion $8.82Puerto Natales $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Asuncion
Also for Asuncion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- RoundTrip Private Transfer Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $52
- RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $59
- Transfer in Private Car from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $21
- Transfer in private car from Asuncion City - Asuncion Airport (ASU): $20
- Transfer in private minivan Asuncion City - Silvio Pettirosi Airport (ASU): $29
- Transfer in private minivan from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Natales
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Natales:
- Puerto Natales Airport Private Transfer: $18
- Private Transfer from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas: $267
- From Torres del Paine Tour with Transfer: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Asuncion or Puerto Natales?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Natales and Asuncion 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 dayAsuncion $17Puerto Natales $28
Typical Food Prices in Puerto Natales
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Puerto Natales:
-
Cake$1.05
-
Dinner$18
-
Coke$1.05
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Asuncion $16Puerto Natales $29
Tours and Activities in Asuncion
For Asuncion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Asuncion: $34
- Walking Tour with a Local in Asuncion "The Mother of Cities": $35
- Asunción Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Asuncion Birding Tour: $70
- Golden Triangle Tour: $110
- Crystal Fall - day tour in a reduced group: $120
- Birding and Nature Chaco Tour: $140
- Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour from Asunción: $160
- Half-Day Yparacai Lake Tour from Asuncion with Pick Up: $185
- Full day Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour: $207
- Day tour “Circuito San Bernardino”: $214
- Day tour “Circuito Sapucai”: $221
Tours and Activities in Puerto Natales
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Natales for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Imperdible Tours Torres del Paine and Perito Moreno: $300
- Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers Boat Tour and traditional lunch.: $199
- Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers Sightseeing Cruise from Puerto Natales: $224
- City Bike Tour in Puerto Natales: $58
- From Torres del Paine National Park Day Tour: $80
- Full Day Patagonia Tour from Puerto Natales: $100
- Full Day Private Tour of Torres del Paine National Park: $281
- Full Day Torres del Paine Tour: $99
- Full Day Tour to Torres del Paine National Park: $92
- Full day Torres del Paine Shared Tour From Puerto Natales only: $199
- Full day tour Torres del Paine + Milodon cave: $88
- Full-Day Hiking Tour to the Base of Paine Towers at Torres del Paine National Park: $189
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAsuncion $10Puerto Natales $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Asuncion
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Asuncion are as follows:
-
Beer$1.22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Puerto Natales
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Puerto Natales:
-
Alcohol$13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asuncion and Puerto Natales, we can see that Puerto Natales is more expensive. And not only is Asuncion much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Asuncion would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asuncion 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 Natales would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Natales than you might in Asuncion.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asuncion Expensive? and Is Puerto Natales Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Asuncion or Puerto Natales?
Asuncion has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Puerto Natales. When comparing the sizes of Asuncion and Puerto Natales, 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.
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.