Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas or Dar es Salaam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Dar es Salaam or Punta Arenas?
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 Dar es Salaam and Punta Arenas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Punta Arenas?
Dar es Salaam
Having grown from a fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now a major city and commercial port on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. While it is mainly used as a stopping point on the way to Zanzibar, it has a few unique treasures of its own such as the Kariakoo Market, National Museum, and the open-air Village Museum.
Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas is in the far south of Chile and has a long history of maritime commerce, oil extraction, and sheep farming. It's the most populated city on the Strait of Magellan and has all the facilities you might need as a traveler, including banks, markets, drugstores and equipment shops. With a population of about 130,000, the city is a comfortable place to spend time. It serves as a base for Antarctic expeditions, although many expeditions also start in Ushuaia, Argentina, and Christchurch New Zealand.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
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Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesPunta Arenas Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $493Punta Arenas $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $493, while the average daily cost in Punta Arenas 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 Dar es Salaam and Punta Arenas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $452Punta Arenas $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $904Punta Arenas $64
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Punta Arenas
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Punta Arenas? 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: Dar es Salaam Hotel Prices and Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $14Punta Arenas $1.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer/Airport pick up and drop off: $192
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfer: $120
- Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $106
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas
Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales: $267
- Oneway Private Transfer from Punta Arenas Airport to Punta Arenas: $37
- Transfer Airport Punta Arenas : $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Punta Arenas?
Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas and Dar es Salaam 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 dayDar es Salaam $33Punta Arenas $36
Typical Food Prices in Punta Arenas
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Punta Arenas:
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Donut$1.05
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Dinner$25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Punta Arenas $6.44
Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.
- Bagamoyo Full-Day Tour: Historic Slave Trade Route & Kaole Ruins: $255
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $140
- 2 Days 1 Night Bagamoyo Historical Tour : $300
- Ancient Bagamoyo City Day Tour: $249
- Bagamoyo Adventure, Historical Tour: $238
- Bagamoyo Historical Tour - Everyday: $199
- Bagamoyo Tour: $120
- Bird Watching Tour to Tegetero Forest 2days 1 night: $205
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour: $150
- Dar Es Salaam City tour: $164
- Dar Es Salaam Local Markets and Village-National Museum Day tour: $150
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.
- Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
- Cruises Shore Excursions : City tour Cruises Regular: $70
- For Cruise-ship passengers: Magdalena Island (Penguins): $200
- Fuerte Bulnes Shore Tour for Cruisers in Punta Arenas: $80
- Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours: $180
- Guided Tour of Punta Arenas and Fort Bulnes: $300
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $154
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $154
- Magallanes National Reserve and Punta Arenas City Tour: $165
- Magdalena Island Penguin Boat Tour and Marta Island: $165
- Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $160
- Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $160
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.97Punta Arenas $4.86
Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:
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Alcohol$7.33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Punta Arenas, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Punta Arenas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa and Punta Arenas is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Punta Arenas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Punta Arenas 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 Dar es Salaam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dar es Salaam than you might in Punta Arenas.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dar es Salaam Expensive? and Is Punta Arenas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Punta Arenas?
Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Punta Arenas. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Punta Arenas, 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 Dar es Salaam or Punta Arenas?
Punta Arenas has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dar es Salaam experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Punta Arenas in the Summer?
Both Punta Arenas and Dar es Salaam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dar es Salaam throughout the year.
In July, Dar es Salaam is generally much warmer than Punta Arenasin January. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (77°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
It's quite sunny in Punta Arenas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Punta Arenas during summer. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 208 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Punta Arenasin January. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)Punta Arenas 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Punta Arenas in the Autumn?
Both Punta Arenas and Dar es Salaam during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dar es Salaam because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Dar es Salaam. In the autumn, Dar es Salaam often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenasin April. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 119 hours of full sun.
Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in October than Punta Arenasin April. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Punta Arenas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Punta Arenas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Punta Arenas. In the winter, Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dar es Salaam in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 1°C (35°F)in July.
In Dar es Salaam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during winter. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Punta Arenasin July. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)Punta Arenas 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Punta Arenas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Punta Arenas. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Dar es Salaam is generally much warmer than Punta Arenasin October. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 27°C (81°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In the spring, Dar es Salaam often gets less sunshine than Punta Arenasin October. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 183 hours of full sun.
Dar es Salaam receives a lot of rain in the spring. Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in April than Punta Arenasin October. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Punta Arenas and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | Punta Arenas | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
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.