A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Florianopolis vs. Pucon for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Florianopolis or Pucon?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Florianopolis or Pucon? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Florianopolis or Pucon?

Florianopolis

With a population of almost 500,000, Florianopolis is the capital city of the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The city is split between mainland Brazil and Santa Catarina Island.

Florianopolis has grown in popularity with tourists recently because of its wonderful scenery, beautiful beaches, and fascinating culture. Many Brazilians have also moved here, leaving behind the big cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Florianopolis has a warm humid subtropical climate. There are summer, winter, spring and fall seasons. Frosts are rare but do occur occasionally. Highs during the warmest months are usually in the high 70s Fahrenheit. Rain is evenly distributed throughout the year and there is no distinct dry season.

Pucon

A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.

Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Brazil, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Pucon or Florianopolis?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Florianopolis is $62, while the average daily cost in Pucon is $100. 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 Florianopolis and Pucon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Florianopolis $26
    Pucon $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Florianopolis $52
    Pucon $86
Compare Hotels in Florianopolis and Pucon

Looking for a hotel in Florianopolis or Pucon? 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 Florianopolis


Hotels in Pucon


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: Florianopolis Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Florianopolis $13
    Pucon $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florianopolis

Also for Florianopolis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Florianópolis Airport Transfer anywhere on the island by Floripa Nativa: $40
  • Hercilio Luz Airport - North Island Transfer: $14
  • One Way Transfer : Florianopolis Airport to or from Florianopolis: $64
  • Private Transfer Florianópolis Airport to City Center: $32
  • Private Transfer Florianopolis Airport to Bal. Camboriu: $96
  • Private Transfer from FLN Airport to the City Balneario Camboriú : $84
  • Private Transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $97
  • Roundtrip transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $168
  • Shared transfer from Florianópolis airport to Balneário Camboriú: $35
  • Transfer Florianópolis Airport / Costão do Santinho: $78

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:

  • Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $114
  • Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
  • Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Florianopolis or Pucon?

Prices for flights to both Pucon and Florianopolis 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
    Florianopolis $22
    Pucon $38
Typical Food Prices in Florianopolis

For Florianopolis, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • A Quick Snack
    $0.44

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Florianopolis $26
    Pucon $37
Typical Entertainment Prices in Florianopolis

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Florianopolis's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Internet
    $0.59

Tours and Activities in Florianopolis

For Florianopolis, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Walking Tour Historic Center of Florianópolis: $12
  • Historic Center Walking Tour in Florianopolis with Local Bar Hop: $14
  • Bombinhas Beach and 4 Islands Tour: $22
  • Shared Shuttle between Florianópolis Airport and Hotel with optional City Tour: $23
  • Florianópolis Full Day City Tour: $25
  • Rafting Adventure in Apuama - Rio Cubatão in Greater Florianópolis: $30
  • Floripa City Tour by Bus - Whole Island - The Most Complete City Tour: $32
  • Balneário Camboriú City Tour from Florianópolis: $35
  • Blumenau City Tour - departing from Florianópolis: $37
  • Tour Balneario Camboriu and Laranjeiras Beach TELEFERICO INCLUDED: $37
  • Blumenau City Tour from Florianópolis: $38
  • Lagoinha do Leste Hiking and Photography Adventure : $42

Tours and Activities in Pucon

Here are a few actual costs in Pucon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 3-Hour Rafting Experience in Pucon: $60
  • Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177
  • Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
  • Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
  • Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
  • Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
  • Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
  • Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Florianopolis $8.68
    Pucon $27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Florianopolis

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florianopolis from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $0.59


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Florianopolis and Pucon, we can see that Pucon is more expensive. And not only is Florianopolis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Florianopolis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Florianopolis 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 Pucon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pucon than you might in Florianopolis.

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


Which is Bigger, Florianopolis or Pucon?

Florianopolis has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Pucon. When comparing the sizes of Florianopolis and Pucon, 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 Florianopolis or Pucon?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Florianopolis or Pucon in the Summer?

Both Pucon and Florianopolis during the summer are popular places to visit.

In January, Florianopolis is generally much warmer than Pucon. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 25°C (76°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Pucon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than Pucon. Florianopolis gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 296 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Florianopolis. Florianopolis usually gets more rain in January than Pucon. Florianopolis gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Florianopolis 25°C (76°F) 
    Pucon 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Florianopolis or Pucon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Florianopolis and Pucon.

Florianopolis is much warmer than Pucon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 22°C (71°F) in April, and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Florianopolis usually receives more sunshine than Pucon during autumn. Florianopolis gets 179 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 132 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pucon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Florianopolis usually receives less rain than Pucon. Florianopolis gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Florianopolis 22°C (71°F) 
    Pucon 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Florianopolis or Pucon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Florianopolis as well as Pucon.

In the winter, Florianopolis is much warmer than Pucon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Florianopolis in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Pucon averages at about 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Florianopolis often gets more sunshine than Pucon. Florianopolis gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 66 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pucon. Florianopolis usually gets less rain in July than Pucon. Florianopolis gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Florianopolis 17°C (62°F) 
    Pucon 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Florianopolis or Pucon in the Spring?

Both Pucon and Florianopolis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In October, Florianopolis is generally much warmer than Pucon. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 20°C (68°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than Pucon during spring. Florianopolis gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. It's quite rainy in Florianopolis. In October, Florianopolis usually receives around the same amount of rain as Pucon. Florianopolis gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Florianopolis 20°C (68°F) 
    Pucon 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Pucon and Florianopolis

Florianopolis Pucon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (76°F) 163 mm (6.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 197 mm (7.8 in) 17°C (62°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 173 mm (6.8 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 22°C (71°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 11°C (52°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 9°C (48°F) 295 mm (11.6 in)
Jun 17°C (63°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 8°C (46°F) 297 mm (11.7 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 7°C (45°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Aug 17°C (63°F) 95 mm (3.8 in) 8°C (46°F) 247 mm (9.7 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 134 mm (5.3 in) 9°C (48°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 11°C (52°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 22°C (71°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 24°C (74°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)