Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Cali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cali 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 Cali 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: Cali or Puerto Varas?
Cali
Cali is Colombia's third largest city. Founded in 1536, can be explored on foot: walk under the shade of trees along the riverbank, admire the architecture of churches and other national monuments, and visit the city's many museums. Being the salsa capital of the world, Cali is primarily a destination for salsa and party but it also offers some great days out in the nearby natural surroundings. In Cali, travelers can enjoy music festivals, learn about sugarcane farming, and take in the mountainous landscapes.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bogota, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Colombia, 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 dayCali $25Puerto Varas $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Cali is $25, 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 Cali and Puerto Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCali $6.16Puerto Varas $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCali $12Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in Cali and Puerto Varas
Looking for a hotel in Cali 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: Cali Hotel Prices and Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cali $5.76Puerto Varas $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cali:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.02
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cali
Also for Cali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers Cali (per way): $35
- Alfonso Airport CLO to Cali or Palmira Hotels Arrival Transfer: $24
- Alfonso Aragon Airport CLO to Cali Palmira Arrival Transfer: $24
- Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) to Cali/Palmira-RoundTrip Transfer: $48
- Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
- Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airpot One Way Transfer: $19
- City Highlights Private Bus Tour with Transfer: $152
- National Park Waterfalls Tour with Lunch & Transfer: $117
- Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minibus: $171
- From Cali Airport: One-way Privater Transfer to Cali: $58
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport : $17
- RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan Cali Airport (CLO) - Cali City: $51
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
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) - Departure Transfer: $33
- Frutillar to Puerto Montt Airport PMC- Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Frutillar to Puerto Airport (PMC) - Departure Private Transfer: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Cali or Puerto Varas?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas and Cali 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 dayCali $8.77Puerto Varas $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cali
For Cali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Alameda Market Cali Food Tour: $14
- Street Food Tour: $21
- Alameda Market Food Tour: $55
- Flavors of Food tour at the local market: $59
- Patio Santo Style Rumba Dinner: $168
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cali $11Puerto Varas $19
Tours and Activities in Cali
For Cali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Cali's Cultural and Historical Walking Tour: $14
- Cali Salsa & Resistance Street Art Tour: $14
- Cali Salsa Tour: Learn the history, dance and play instruments: $15
- Walking Tour in the Historic Center of Cali City: $25
- The Cali Street Food Walking Tour: $30
- Cali Bike Tour: $32
- Coffee Tasting Experience in Cali Colombia : $35
- Medicinal Plant Private Tour in La Galeria Alameda of Cali: $35
- Private half day tour in Siloé Cali: $35
- Walking Tour: $35
- Walking tour of the historic center: $37
- Craft beer tour in Cali: $42
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
- Classic Chiloe Tour: $150
- From Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: Chiloé Island Tour: $60
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Frutillar Bike Tour from Puerto Varas: $79
- Full-Day Osorno Vulcano and Petrohue Falls Small-Group Tour: $80
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $50
- Lake Llanquihue Bike Tour in Puerto Varas: $129
- Llanquihue Lake Tour: $88
- Petrohue Falls and Osorno Volcano Bike Tour: $124
- Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Varas: $68
- Premium Full Day Shared Tour Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Falls: $185
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCali $8.68Puerto Varas $6.51
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cali and Puerto Varas, we can see that Puerto Varas is more expensive. And not only is Cali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cali 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 Cali.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cali Expensive? and Is Puerto Varas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cali or Puerto Varas?
Cali has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Cali 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.
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.