A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cesis vs. Santiago for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cesis 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 Cesis 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: Cesis or Santiago?

Cesis

Cesis is the quintessential old world town in Latvia. It is nestled among rolling hills, giving it a beautiful, fantasy world like setting. The small town is sprinkled with old castles, fortresses, and parks that you can leisurely wander through to pass the time. There's a lovely town square that is the perfect place to grab a seat on a bench and people watch. Because of the square's central location, many residents pass through it on their way to and from the market. The town is intertwined with lovely cobblestone streets that are lined with old homes, in various stages of disrepair. Cesis manages to perfectly balance a level of authentic wear and tear with a fairytale ambiance. Outside of town you'll find great hiking trails that you can use to explore the rolling hills and picturesque countryside. The small town is also conveniently located less than 100 kilometers from Riga, making it an easy trip on a bus.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Cesis?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Cesis Prices
    Latvia Prices
    Santiago Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Cesis 138
    Santiago 128

The average daily cost (per person) in Cesis is €138, while the average daily cost in Santiago is €128. 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 Cesis and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cesis 47
    Santiago 93
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cesis 94
    Santiago 186
Compare Hotels in Cesis and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Cesis 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.

Hotels in Cesis


Hotels in Santiago


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: Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cesis 30
    Santiago 4.60

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:


  • Metro Ride
    0.96

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Airport Transfer and Halfday City tour Santiago de Chile: $362
  • Airport Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $87
  • Airport transfer between Santiago city center and Arturo Merino Benítez Airport: $51
  • Arrival Transfer from Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago de Chile: $80
  • City tour santiago with excursion to valparaiso and airport transfer: $150
  • Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $87
  • From Viña Santa Rita Tour w/Transfer: $120
  • Luxury Airport Private Transfer SCL: $90
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $262
  • Private Round Trip Transfer from Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago: $96
  • Private Round Trip Transfer on Santiago Of Chile City: $68
  • Private Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300

Is it cheaper to fly into Cesis or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Cesis 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
    Cesis 71
    Santiago 19
Typical Food Prices in Cesis

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cesis:


  • Lunch in town for two
    6.67

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:


  • Empanada
    1.60
  • Hamburger
    2.13
  • Dinner
    22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.

  • Legacy Family Tour Lunch or Dinner Pairing 4 Strokes: $40
  • Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $82
  • 4-Hour Boozy Chilean Cooking Class in Santiago: $85
  • Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $106
  • Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
  • Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $116
  • Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $122
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
  • Bali Hai Polynesian Dinner Show with Transfer: $130
  • Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $181
  • Santiago Chilean and Peruvian Cooking Class with a Local Carol: $184

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cesis 16
    Santiago 40

Tours and Activities in Santiago

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:

  • Official Tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago: $9.00
  • Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
  • Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $17
  • A historical tour of Santiago, Chile: $18
  • Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
  • Santiago City Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $20
  • Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $23
  • Private Guided Walking Tour of the City Center: $24
  • Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
  • Yungay, Memory, Art, and Neighborhood Walking Tour: $25
  • A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
  • Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cesis 17
    Santiago 7.15

Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago

Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $34
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $63
  • Undurraga Wine tour: $70
  • Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
  • Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $79
  • Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with wine tasting in Casablanca: $79
  • Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
  • Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
  • Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $89
  • Kross Brewery Tour: A Craft Beer Tasting Experience: $93


When comparing the travel costs between Cesis and Santiago, we can see that Cesis 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. Even though Cesis is in Europe and Santiago is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cesis Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cesis or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 270 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis 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.


When is the best time to visit Cesis or Santiago?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Santiago is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Cesis has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Cesis or Santiago in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Santiago. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cesis this time of year.

Cesis is cooler than Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.

In July, Cesis usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Cesis 17°C (63°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Cesis or Santiago in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Santiago. Many travelers come to Cesis for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Cesis is much colder than Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cesis in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.

Cesis usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Cesis 7°C (45°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Cesis or Santiago in the Winter?

Both Santiago and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cesis in the winter for the cuisine.

Cesis can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Cesis is generally much colder than Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around -5°C (23°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In January, Cesis usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Cesis -5°C (23°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Cesis or Santiago in the Spring?

Both Santiago and Cesis during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cesis for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Cesis is much colder than Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.

Cesis usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Cesis 5°C (42°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Cesis

Cesis Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (23°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb -4°C (24°F) 25 mm (1 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar -0°C (31°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 5°C (42°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 15°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 76 mm (3 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 7°C (45°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 2°C (36°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)