Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Puerto Varas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Puerto Varas can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Buenos Aires, Argentina or Puerto Varas?
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, federal capital of Argentina, also known as "The City of Tango", is best known for its energetic and unpredictable character. Like a restless child, Buenos Aires is a dynamic and modern city full of surprises. While its French-style palaces, rooftop restaurants, wide avenues and green plazas resemble European-style architecture, Buenos Aires preserves its musical, literary and culinary traditions. You can't miss dining in front of a Tango show, walking around the colourful streets of La Boca and visiting the renowned Recoleta Cemetery, designed by Argentina's most important architects and home to hundreds of illustrious corpses.
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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Argentina, The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, 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 dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $10Puerto Varas $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $10, 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina and Puerto Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuenos Aires, Argentina $4.13Puerto Varas $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $8.26Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Puerto Varas
Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina 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: Buenos Aires, Argentina Hotel Prices and Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $1.58Puerto Varas $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
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Taxi from Airport$0.13
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Local Bus$0.00
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Metro Ride$0.00
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Taxi to airport$0.03
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Taxi$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- Ezeiza Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $75
- Airport Transfer: Buenos Aires to Jorge Newbery Airfield Airport (AEP): $26
- Aljibe Tango Earlier Show With Private Transfers From Port & Hotels Buenos Aires: $85
- Arrival Private Transfers from Airport AEP to Buenos Aires in Luxury Car: $124
- Arrival Private Transfers from Ezeiza Airport EZE to Buenos Aires: $109
- Arrival Transfer Ezeiza Airport EZE to Buenos Aires City by Sedan: $46
- Buenos Aires Airport (EZE) to Buenos Aires hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $44
- Buenos Aires Airport Arrival Transfer (Ezeiza Airport to Buenos Aires Hotel or Address): $131
- Buenos Aires Airport Transfers: Airport EZE to Buenos Aires in Luxury Van: $139
- Buenos Aires Airport Transfers: Buenos Aires to Airport EZE in Luxury Car: $160
- Buenos Aires Center One-way Private Transfer to Local Airport: $30
- Buenos Aires City Tour and Airport Transfer Combo: $220
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 Buenos Aires, Argentina or Puerto Varas?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas and Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $3.25Puerto Varas $25
Typical Food Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
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Lunch$0.03
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Cup of Coffee$0.01
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Empandas$0.02
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Espresso$0.01
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Dinner (Pizza)$0.02
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Ice Cream$0.01
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Breakfast at Airport$0.04
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Dinner (Sandwiches)$0.01
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Sweets$0.01
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Hot Dog$0.01
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Breakfast (Take-Away)$0.01
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Lunch for 2$0.16
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Cake and Coffee$0.53
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Dinner$1.88
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Powerade$0.12
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Lunch$0.83
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Dinner$1.21
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Chocolate$3.12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $35
- Premium Empanadas Cooking Class in Buenos Aires: $39
- Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Buenos Aires: $39
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
- Argentinian grilled pizza class in San Telmo: $40
- Tango Show and Optional Dinner at Esquina Homero Manzi: $40
- Tango Dinner Show Homero Manzi menu Sur: $45
- Private tour Argentinian Flavours food tours on foot : $46
- Small Group Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Blending: $49
- Premium Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Blending Experience: $49
- La Ventana Tango Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $49
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner and Tango Class: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $3.34Puerto Varas $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few typical costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Japanese Gardens (for 2)$0.04
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Movie Ticket$0.02
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Tango Class$0.03
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Bar entrance$0.58
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Palermo Soho for curious people Walking Tour: $5.00
- Buenos Aires Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour Evita Peron: Don't cry for me Argentina : $10
- Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $10
- Historical Tour of the Recoleta Cemetery: $15
- True Crime Buenos Aires: A Walking Tour: $15
- Walking Tour Knowing Rodrigo Bueno in Buenos Aires: $15
- Graffiti Tour: $15
- Walking Tour La Boca: $15
- Recoleta Cemetery Experience - Immersive Tour with the Death: $16
- Under Ground Tours Private Side B of the City: $20
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $1.81Puerto Varas $6.51
Typical Alcohol Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Buenos Aires, Argentina from other travelers:
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Beer$0.01
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Beer (0.66L)$0.02
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Cocktail$0.03
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Alcohol$0.67
Sample the Local Flavors in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also in Buenos Aires, Argentina, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine tasting at the Barolo Palace: $35
- Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $38
- Wine Tasting of Argentina's Most Classic and Popular Wines: $42
- Unique Wine Tasting in a Boutique Hotel : $45
- Wine Tasting at Downtown Buenos Aires Ego Experience: $53
- Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $55
- Upscale Asado & Wine Tasting (BBQ): $56
- Buenos Aires Premium Wine Tasting: $58
- Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $79
- Bodega Gamboa Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $80
- Argentine Experience: Immersive 6 Course Menu with Wine Tasting : $98
- Private Asado and Wine Tasting in Argentina: $130
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Puerto Varas, we can see that Puerto Varas is more expensive. And not only is Buenos Aires, Argentina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Buenos Aires, Argentina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Buenos Aires, Argentina Expensive? and Is Puerto Varas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Puerto Varas?
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 520 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina or Puerto Varas?
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 Buenos Aires, Argentina or Puerto Varas in the Summer?
Both Puerto Varas and Buenos Aires, Argentina are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
Buenos Aires, Argentina is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the summer. The daily temperature in Buenos Aires, Argentina averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina. Buenos Aires, Argentina usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during summer. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In January, Buenos Aires, Argentina usually receives more rain than Puerto Varas. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryBuenos Aires, Argentina 25°C (77°F)Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?
Both Puerto Varas and Buenos Aires, Argentina during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In the autumn, Buenos Aires, Argentina is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Buenos Aires, Argentina in April average around 18°C (65°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 11°C (51°F).
It's quite sunny in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In the autumn, Buenos Aires, Argentina often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varas. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 220 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina. Buenos Aires, Argentina usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Varas. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilBuenos Aires, Argentina 18°C (65°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Puerto Varas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Buenos Aires, Argentina and Puerto Varas.
In July, Buenos Aires, Argentina is generally much warmer than Puerto Varas. Daily temperatures in Buenos Aires, Argentina average around 12°C (53°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
Buenos Aires, Argentina usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during winter. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 143 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 July, Buenos Aires, Argentina usually receives less rain than Puerto Varas. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyBuenos Aires, Argentina 12°C (53°F)Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Puerto Varas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Buenos Aires, Argentina as well as Puerto Varas.
Buenos Aires, Argentina is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the spring. The daily temperature in Buenos Aires, Argentina averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Buenos Aires, Argentina this time of the year. In the spring, Buenos Aires, Argentina often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varas. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 151 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. Buenos Aires, Argentina receives a lot of rain in the spring. Buenos Aires, Argentina usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Puerto Varas. Buenos Aires, Argentina gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberBuenos Aires, Argentina 18°C (64°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Buenos Aires, Argentina
| Buenos Aires, Argentina | Puerto Varas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 104 mm (4.1 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.