A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Asuncion vs. Punta Arenas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Asuncion or Punta Arenas?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Asuncion or Punta Arenas, 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 Punta Arenas?

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.

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas is in the far south of Chile and has a long history of maritime commerce, oil extraction, and sheep farming. It's the most populated city on the Strait of Magellan and has all the facilities you might need as a traveler, including banks, markets, drugstores and equipment shops. With a population of about 130,000, the city is a comfortable place to spend time. It serves as a base for Antarctic expeditions, although many expeditions also start in Ushuaia, Argentina, and Christchurch New Zealand.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas or Asuncion?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Asuncion is $69, while the average daily cost in Punta Arenas is $62. 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 Punta Arenas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Asuncion $23
    Punta Arenas $31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Asuncion $46
    Punta Arenas $62
Compare Hotels in Asuncion and Punta Arenas

Looking for a hotel in Asuncion or Punta Arenas? 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 Asuncion


Hotels in Punta Arenas


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 Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Asuncion $8.88
    Punta Arenas $1.76

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Asuncion

Also for Asuncion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $59
  • RoundTrip Private Transfer Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $52
  • Transfer in private minivan from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $29
  • Transfer in private minivan Asuncion City - Silvio Pettirosi Airport (ASU): $29
  • Transfer in Private Car from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $21
  • Transfer in private car from Asuncion City - Asuncion Airport (ASU): $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas

Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Punta Arenas (city or airport) to Puerto Natales: $267
  • Punta Arenas to Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) - Departure Transfer: $50
  • Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $50
  • Private Transfer Punta Arenas Airport to/from Punta Arenas: $34

Is it cheaper to fly into Asuncion or Punta Arenas?

Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas 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 day
    Asuncion $17
    Punta Arenas $20

Typical Food Prices in Punta Arenas

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Punta Arenas:


  • Donut
    $1.02
  • Dinner
    $25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Asuncion $16
    Punta Arenas $6.29

Tours and Activities in Asuncion

For Asuncion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Asunción Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
  • Asuncion Birding Tour: $70
  • Birding and Nature Chaco Tour: $140
  • Crystal Fall - day tour in a reduced group: $120
  • Day Tour “Cerrito”: $231
  • Day tour “Circuito San Bernardino”: $214
  • Day tour “Circuito Sapucai”: $221
  • Day tour “Pai Pukú”: $230
  • Day tour to “National Park Ybycuí”: $265
  • Golden Triangle Tour: $110
  • Half-Day Yparacai Lake Tour from Asuncion with Pick Up: $185
  • Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour from Asunción: $160

Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.

  • Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
  • Fort Bulnes cruises: $70
  • Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours: $180
  • King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $157
  • King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $138
  • Magallanes Forest and Club Andino Tour from Punta Arenas: $290
  • Magallanes Reserva and City Tour. Private Shore Excursion.: $158
  • Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $172
  • Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $153
  • Mountain Bike Adventure in Punta Arenas: $192
  • Pali Aike Full-Day Adventure from Punta Arenas: $300
  • Private City Cruise Tour: $225

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Asuncion $10
    Punta Arenas $4.75
Typical Alcohol Prices in Asuncion

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Asuncion are as follows:


  • Beer
    $1.23

Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:


  • Alcohol
    $7.17


When comparing the travel costs between Asuncion and Punta Arenas, we can see that Asuncion is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asuncion Expensive? and Is Punta Arenas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Asuncion or Punta Arenas?

Asuncion has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Punta Arenas. When comparing the sizes of Asuncion and Punta Arenas, 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 Asuncion or Punta Arenas?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Asuncion or Punta Arenas in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Asuncion and Punta Arenas.

In January, Asuncion is generally much warmer than Punta Arenas. Daily temperatures in Asuncion average around 29°C (84°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Punta Arenas this time of the year. In Asuncion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asuncion usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during summer. Asuncion gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 208 hours of full sun in the summer.

Asuncion gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Asuncion usually receives more rain than Punta Arenas. Asuncion gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Asuncion 29°C (84°F) 
    Punta Arenas 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Asuncion or Punta Arenas in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Asuncion as well as Punta Arenas.

Asuncion is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Asuncion averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the autumn, Asuncion often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenas. Asuncion gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 119 hours of full sun.

Asuncion receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Asuncion usually gets more rain in April than Punta Arenas. Asuncion gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Asuncion 24°C (75°F) 
    Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Asuncion or Punta Arenas in the Winter?

Both Punta Arenas and Asuncion are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

It's quite cold in Punta Arenas in the winter. In the winter, Asuncion is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Asuncion in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 1°C (35°F).

Asuncion usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during winter. Asuncion gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Asuncion usually receives around the same amount of rain as Punta Arenas. Asuncion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Asuncion 19°C (66°F) 
    Punta Arenas 1°C (35°F)

Should I visit Asuncion or Punta Arenas in the Spring?

Both Punta Arenas and Asuncion during the spring are popular places to visit.

In October, Asuncion is generally much warmer than Punta Arenas. Daily temperatures in Asuncion average around 25°C (77°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

It's quite sunny in Asuncion. In the spring, Asuncion often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenas. Asuncion gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 183 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asuncion. Asuncion usually gets more rain in October than Punta Arenas. Asuncion gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Asuncion 25°C (77°F) 
    Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Punta Arenas and Asuncion

Asuncion Punta Arenas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 29°C (84°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 11°C (52°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 11°C (52°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Mar 26°C (79°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 9°C (48°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
May 21°C (70°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 4°C (39°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in) 2°C (35°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 1°C (35°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 21°C (70°F) 50 mm (2 in) 3°C (37°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 5°C (40°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 7°C (44°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 9°C (48°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Dec 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 11°C (51°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)