Should you visit Buzios or Punta Arenas?
Should I visit Buzios or Punta Arenas? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Buzios
Initially a fishing village, Armação dos Buzios is a small beach resort town about three hours from Rio de Janeiro by bus. Buzios is a common weekend getaway destination for Cariocas. With 23 beaches, visitors from all over come to swim, snorkel, surf and enjoy sun and sand.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Punta Arenas or Buzios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Buzios is $60, while the average daily cost in Punta Arenas is $67. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Buzios and Punta Arenas in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $58 in Buzios For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $68 in Punta Arenas For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The price of a meal in Buzios can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $19 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $7.60 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
While meal prices in Punta Arenas can vary, the average travelers spends about $22 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Punta Arenas should cost around $8.80 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Punta Arenas is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Buzios $19
Punta Arenas $22
Typical Food prices in Punta Arenas
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Punta Arenas:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Punta Arenas
For Punta Arenas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Punta Arenas Small Group Sightseeing and food Tour with a Local Guide:
$76
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Buzios than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $15 on transportation in Buzios on average per day.
Punta Arenas's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $1.90 per person, per day on transportation in Punta Arenas.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas
Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Transfer from Punta Arenas (city or airport) to Puerto Natales:
$250
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Bus transfer from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia:
$169
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Arrival Transfer: Punta Arenas Airport to Hotel:
$33
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Transfer from Punta Arenas Hotel to Punta Arenas Airport:
$32
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Private Airport Transfer: Punta Arenas Ibanez Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas:
$29
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Private Airport Transfer: from Punta Arenas to Punta Arenas Ibanez Airport (PUQ):
$29
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Buzios, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $21 per day, per person.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Punta Arenas can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $6.79 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Buzios
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Buzios.
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Half-Day Schooner Sightseeing Trip in Buzios Peninsula Beaches:
$28
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Tour in Boat Tour in Buzios:
$14
Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.
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4-Day Private Tour to Patagonia: Torres del Paine, Glaciers & Penguins:
$2,200
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Bus ticket from Punta Arenas (Chile) to Ushuaia (Argentina):
$88
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City Tour of Punta Arenas:
$110
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FULL DAY KING PENGUIN COLONY (private tours):
$410
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FULL DAY KING PENGUIN COLONY (regular tours):
$174
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Full Day Torres del Paine Private tour, departing from Punta Arenas:
$323
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Full Day Torres del Paine, From Punta Arenas (Private Tours):
$410
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Full day Punta Arenas (Regular tours):
$103
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Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours:
$133
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Full-Day Punta Arenas and Magellan Strait Tour:
$95
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Full-day experience in Chilean Antártica:
$7,052
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Isla Tortuga Catamarán Cruises from San Jose:
$173
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Buzios, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $14.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Punta Arenas, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $5.12.
Typical Alcohol prices in Punta Arenas
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:
Sample the Local Flavors in Punta Arenas
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Punta Arenas:
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Punta Arenas Small Group Beers & Brewery Tour with a Local Guide:
$68
When comparing the travel costs between Buzios and Punta Arenas, we can see that Punta Arenas 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.
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