Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Cali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cali or Santiago?
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 Santiago 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 Santiago?
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.
Santiago
Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.
Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCali $25Santiago $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Cali is $25, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $141. 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 Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCali $6.16Santiago $110
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCali $12Santiago $220
Compare Hotels in Cali and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Cali or Santiago? 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 Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cali $5.76Santiago $5.41
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:
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport : $17
- Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airpot One Way Transfer: $19
- Transfer in Private Car from Cali Airport (CLO) -Cali City: $22
- Alfonso Aragon Airport CLO to Cali Palmira Arrival Transfer: $24
- Alfonso Airport CLO to Cali or Palmira Hotels Arrival Transfer: $24
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Cali City- Cali Airport (CLO): $25
- Airport Transfers Cali (per way): $34
- Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) to Cali/Palmira-RoundTrip Transfer: $48
- RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan Cali Airport (CLO) - Cali City: $51
- From Cali Airport: One-way Privater Transfer to Cali: $58
- National Park Waterfalls Tour with Lunch & Transfer: $114
- City Highlights Private Bus Tour with Transfer: $149
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
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Metro Ride$1.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Visit Montes Winery (7th World Best Wine) & Transfer to Hotel: $300
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Santiago APT-HTL (SCL): $51
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Santiago Airport (SCL) - Santiago de Chile City: $49
- Transfer from or to the airport in Santiago, Chile: $60
- Transfer from Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski to Santiago: $83
- Transfer from Santiago to Portillo Ski Center: $160
- Transfer from Santiago To Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski: $83
- Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago Centro Commune: $52
- Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $250
- Transfer Santiago Airport to the commune of Providencia: $56
- Transfer Santiago - Viña del Mar: $210
- Transfer Santiago - Valparaíso: $210
Is it cheaper to fly into Cali or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago 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 $8.77Santiago $13
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
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.89
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Hamburger$2.50
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Dinner$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $45
- Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $92
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $117
- Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Private Tour: Santiago at Night with Dinner and Show: $131
- Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $131
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner and Show: $150
- Private Dinner and Show with Transfers: $158
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cali $11Santiago $47
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 Tour: Learn the history, dance and play instruments: $15
- Cali Salsa & Resistance Street Art Tour: $16
- Walking Tour in the Historic Center of Cali City: $25
- The Cali Street Food Walking Tour: $30
- Cali Bike Tour: $32
- Medicinal Plant Private Tour in La Galeria Alameda of Cali: $35
- Coffee Tasting Experience in Cali Colombia : $35
- Walking Tour: $35
- Private half day tour in Siloé Cali: $35
- Walking tour of the historic center: $37
- Private Relaxing Massage Experience in Cali: $43
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Private Adventure at 4200 meters above sea level in the Chilean Andes Cerro Pintor: $300
- Private Half-Day Guided Tour of the City of Santiago.: $280
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
- 2-Hour Walking Tour of Yungay The Coolest Neighborhood in Chile: $35
- 4 Hour Santa Rita Winery All inclusive Tour for Wine Lover: $269
- A Private Tour of Valparaiso with an experienced local guide.: $195
- Adventure and Viewpoints in Cajón del Maipo: $255
- Andean Horse Ride Yerba Loca Sanctuary - Private tour from Santiago: $240
- Andean Tour: $158
- Andes Day Lagoon: Embalse El Yeso Tour from Santiago: $120
- Andes Half-Day Private Tour with Wine and Cheese Tasting: $190
- Andes Sunset: shared tour with Asado in the mountain: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCali $8.68Santiago $8.41
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $37
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $62
- Undurraga Wine tour: $63
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
- Private Tour: Undurraga Vineyard Experience with Premium Wine Tasting: $92
- half day wine tour to concha y toro from Santiago seasonal offer: $95
- From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $99
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
- Private Tour: Viña del Mar and Valparaíso Tour with Wine Tasting in Casablanca Valley: $143
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cali and Santiago, we can see that Santiago 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 Santiago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santiago 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 Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cali or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cali. When comparing the sizes of Cali and Santiago, 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.