A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Buzios vs. Valdivia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Buzios or Valdivia?

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

Should I visit Buzios or Valdivia? 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: Buzios or Valdivia?

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.

Valdivia

Valdivia is a vibrant university city situated in southern Chile. It sits at the meeting point of three rivers in the aptly named Region de Los Rios (The Rivers Region) and is approximately 200 kilometers from both Temuco and Puerto Montt. Due to a large student population, Valdivia boasts a youthful and energetic vibe that is visible in its many bars, cafes and restaurants. The city is also known for having one of Chile's best craft beer cultures, which had its early beginnings when German settlers arrived in the 1840s. The rivers, nearby Pacific coastline and wetlands offer plenty for lovers of the outdoors, too.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best 10-Day Tours in Chile, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Valdivia or Buzios?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Buzios is $77, while the average daily cost in Valdivia is $69. 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 Buzios and Valdivia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Buzios $37
    Valdivia $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Buzios $74
    Valdivia $80
Compare Hotels in Buzios and Valdivia

Looking for a hotel in Buzios or Valdivia? 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 Buzios


Hotels in Valdivia


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: Valdivia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Buzios $19
    Valdivia $8.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buzios

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

  • Departure Private Transfer Arraial do Cabo to GIG or SDU Airport by Sedan Car: $241
  • Departure Transfer from Buzios or to Rio Airports by Minivan: $219
  • Private transfer from Buzios to the GIG Airport : $186
  • Private transfer Buzios in Rio to the SDU Airport : $186
  • Private Transfer from GIG Airport to City Buzios in Rio : $170
  • Private transfer Minivan from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 6 pax to Buzios: $110
  • Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 4 pax to Buzios: $106
  • Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Buzios: $97
  • Private Transfer Buzios to Rio de Janeiro: $91
  • Private Transfer from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro: $91
  • Tour in Buzios City Tour, Lunch and Transfer: $60
  • Arraial do Cabo Shared Transfer to Rio de Janeiro: $52

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valdivia

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

  • Valdivia Airport Private Transfer: $52

Is it cheaper to fly into Buzios or Valdivia?

Prices for flights to both Valdivia and Buzios 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
    Buzios $24
    Valdivia $21

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Buzios $27
    Valdivia $13

Tours and Activities in Buzios

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

  • Buzios Trolley City Tour: $29
  • 3-hour Small Group Buzios Peninsula Open Air Trolley Tour: $33
  • 7 Beaches In Búzios With Photos On A Private Tour!: $34
  • Búzios Full day: Boat and Trolley Tour with Lunch from Arraial do Cabo: $128
  • Búzios Full day: Boat and Trolley Tour with Lunch from Búzios: $99
  • Búzios Full day: Boat and Trolley Tour with Lunch from Cabo Frio: $116
  • Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo: $23
  • Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo Panoramic City Tour in Cabo Frio: $96
  • Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo from Buzios with Lunch: $60
  • Buggy Ride in Buzios by Buziana Tour: $16
  • Buggy Tour in Arraial do Cabo by Arraial Viagens: $31
  • Cabo Frio Full-Day Tour From Buzios with Lunch: $68

Tours and Activities in Valdivia

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

  • Sightseeing Tour in Valdivia : $76
  • Valdivia SUP Cruises for 6 People with Transportation Included: $35
  • Private City Tour: $90

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Buzios $17
    Valdivia $4.79


When comparing the travel costs between Buzios and Valdivia, we can see that Buzios 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 Buzios Expensive? and Is Valdivia Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Buzios or Valdivia?

Valdivia has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Buzios. When comparing the sizes of Buzios and Valdivia, 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.