Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Belize City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Belize City or Puerto Varas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Belize City 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: Belize City or Puerto Varas?
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in Belize. It was once the capital of the country, but due to massive hurricane damage in 1961, the country decided to relocate it capital. With a population of 57,000 people, Belize City is located right at the mouth of the Haulover Creek.
This gorgeous tropical city experiences a monsoon climate – meaning there are warm and humid conditions throughout the course of the year. There is a wet season from May to January, so plan for a little bit of rain in that time.
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 G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBelize City $88Puerto Varas $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Belize City is $88, 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 Belize City and Puerto Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBelize City $49Puerto Varas $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBelize City $98Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in Belize City and Puerto Varas
Looking for a hotel in Belize City 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.
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: Belize City Hotel Prices and Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Belize City $5.82Puerto Varas $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City
Also for Belize City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Belize City to/from Placencia/Hopkins Shuttle Transfer: $113
- Belize city water taxi terminal to Airport transfer: $30
- Belize: Belize City to/from San Ignacio Shuttle Transfer: $68
- Private Transfer from Belize City Port to Belize Airport (BZE): $60
- Private Transfer from Belize City and Airport to Placencia: $150
- Transfer Belize city to bacalar: $50
- We do transfers from airport to any where in Belize.: $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
- Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Belize City or Puerto Varas?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas and Belize City 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 dayBelize City $27Puerto Varas $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belize City
For Belize City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Altun Ha Mayan Site & Food Tour: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Belize City $29Puerto Varas $19
Tours and Activities in Belize City
For Belize City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Belize City Tour: $40
- Belizean Bits & Bites Food Tastings and City Tour in Belize: $50
- Hassle free Cave Tubing Adventure from Belize City with Lunch: $55
- Charlie's Cave Tubing Tour for cruisers (lunch included): $65
- Second largest Barrier Reef Adventure Snorkeling: $70
- Guided Cave Kayaking Tour with Pickup: $77
- Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and River Wallace and Manatee Watch Tour: $85
- Cave Tubing Experience from Belize City: $85
- Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $85
- Half-Day Altun Ha Temple & Belize City Tour: $86
- Turtle Garden Snorkeling Tour and Island Break : $90
- Howler Monkey Sanctuary Tour from Belize City: $90
Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Adventure Fullday Tour Osorno Volcano and Saltos de Petrohue National Park: $150
- From Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: Chiloé Island Tour: $60
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Full-Day Osorno Vulcano and Petrohue Falls Small-Group Tour: $80
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $52
- Lake Llanquihue Bike Tour in Puerto Varas: $129
- Petrohue Falls and Osorno Volcano Bike Tour: $124
- Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Varas: $68
- Premium Half Day Shared Tour Sunset at Osorno Volcano: $130
- Premium Small-Group Half day Tour to Frutillar in Puerto Varas: $144
- Private Rock Climbing Experience in Northern Patagonia: $100
- Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue : $62
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBelize City $12Puerto Varas $6.51
Sample the Local Flavors in Belize City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Belize City:
- Belize: City Highlights Tour with Rum Distillery Visit: $49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belize City and Puerto Varas, we can see that Puerto Varas is more expensive. And not only is Belize City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Belize City is in Central 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 Belize City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Belize City 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 Belize City.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Belize City Expensive? and Is Puerto Varas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Belize City or Puerto Varas?
Belize City has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Belize City 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 Belize City or Puerto Varas?
Puerto Varas has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Belize City experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Belize City or Puerto Varas in the Summer?
Both Puerto Varas and Belize City during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Belize City because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Belize City is generally much warmer than Puerto Varasin January. Daily temperatures in Belize City average around 28°C (82°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In Puerto Varas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Belize City. In the summer, Belize City often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varasin January. Belize City gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 204 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Belize City. Belize City usually gets more rain in July than Puerto Varasin January. Belize City gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryBelize City 28°C (82°F)Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Belize City or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Belize City and Puerto Varas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Belize City year-round.
Belize City is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Belize City averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in April.
Belize City usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during autumn. Belize City gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Belize City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Belize City usually receives more rain than Puerto Varasin April. Belize City gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilBelize City 26°C (80°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Belize City or Puerto Varas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Belize City as well as Puerto Varas. Belize City attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Belize City is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Belize City in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 7°C (45°F)in July.
In the winter, Belize City often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varasin July. Belize City gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 67 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. Belize City receives a lot of rain in the winter. Belize City usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Varasin July. Belize City gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyBelize City 24°C (74°F)Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Belize City or Puerto Varas in the Spring?
Both Puerto Varas and Belize City are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Belize City throughout the year.
In April, Belize City is generally much warmer than Puerto Varasin October. Daily temperatures in Belize City average around 27°C (80°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Belize City. Belize City usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during spring. Belize City gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. In April, Belize City usually receives less rain than Puerto Varasin October. Belize City gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberBelize City 27°C (80°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Belize City
| Belize City | Puerto Varas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 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.