Which place is cheaper, Arica or Castro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Castro or Arica?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Castro and Arica can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Castro or Arica?
Castro
The capital of Chiloe, modern and dynamic, has succeeded in keeping its authenticity even though it now has many gigantic supermarkets, hotels and other touristic infrastructures. It is located on the island's eastern coast, halfway between Ancud in the north and Quellon in the south, and is a convenient base for exploring the stunning sites in the region of Chiloe Island. The tourist information is located on the town square in front of the church.
Arica
A mixture of coastline, desert and high Andean plateau, Arica is a seaside resort town, known for its surfing beaches located at the tip of Northern Chile. Arica boasts that it is "the land of the eternal spring," but its temperate climate and beaches are not the only reason to visit this small city. Arica's tourism is still principally geared toward domestic visitors and those from southern Peru and La Paz, who flock to its beaches mid-December through February. It is very easy to spend a few days in Arica in the sand, or seeing the sights in town, at a slow pace but the city also offers plenty of fun activities and exciting day trips.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCastro $88Arica $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Castro is $88, while the average daily cost in Arica is $79. 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 Castro and Arica in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCastro $37Arica $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCastro $74Arica $70
Compare Hotels in Castro and Arica
Looking for a hotel in Castro or Arica? 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: Castro Hotel Prices and Arica Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Castro $20Arica $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Castro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Castro:
- Chiloe Airport Private Transfer: $50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arica
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arica are as follows:
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Short Taxi Ride$2.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arica
Also for Arica, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arica Airport Private Transfer: $85
- Private Transfer from Arica Airport (ARI) to Arica Cruise Port: $30
- Private Transfer from Arica Airport (ARI) to Arica Cruise Port : $27
- Private Transfer from Arica City hotels to Arica Cruise Port: $22
- Private Transfer from Arica Cruise Port to Arica Airport (ARI): $27
- Private Transfer from Arica Cruise Port to Arica Airport (ARI): $30
- Private Transfer from Arica Cruise Port to Arica Hotels: $24
- Private Transfer from Arica Cruise Port to Arica city hotels: $22
- Private Transfer from Arica Hotels to Arica Cruise Port: $24
Is it cheaper to fly into Castro or Arica?
Prices for flights to both Arica and Castro 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 dayCastro $36Arica $28
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Castro $21Arica $20
Tours and Activities in Castro
Here are a few actual costs in Castro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bosque Piedra Reserve Tour: $106
- Castro Sightseeing Tour in Chiloe: $58
- Dalcahue and Quinchao Island Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $123
- Dock of Souls Trekking in Chiloe Private Tour: $189
- From Puerto Varas: Chiloe Island Full-day Tour: $65
- Full Day Private Chiloe National Park Tour Following "The Darwin´s Route" : $179
- Lemuy Island Tour from Castro: $178
- Lemuy Island in Chiloe Full Day Private Tour: $164
- Pier of Light Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $156
- Private Half Day Tour in Patrimonial Castro: $30
Tours and Activities in Arica
For Arica, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Archaeological Tour: $32
- Half day Panoramic City Tour: $49
- Archeological Sightseeing tour in Arica: $103
- Arica Private Sightseeing Tour : $134
- Private Tour to Tacna from Arica: $256
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCastro $17Arica $19
When comparing the travel costs between Castro and Arica, we can see that Castro 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 Castro Expensive? and Is Arica Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Castro or Arica?
Arica has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Castro. When comparing the sizes of Castro and Arica, 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.