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

Should you visit Florianopolis or Puerto Madryn?

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

Should I visit Florianopolis or Puerto Madryn? 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 Puerto Madryn?

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.

Puerto Madryn

Puerto Madryn is mostly known as the gateway to Peninsula Valdes, welcoming tourists who come for whale watching. The Peninsula Valdes is a nature reserve designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site; 97 km long and 63 km wide, it is connected to the continent by an isthmus of 35 km from which we can see both gulfs, San Jose at north and the Nuevo at south.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Brazil, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best Camping Tours in Argentina, and The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Madryn or Florianopolis?

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

  • Florianopolis Prices
    Brazil Prices
    Puerto Madryn Prices
    Argentina Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Florianopolis $74
    Puerto Madryn $61

The average daily cost (per person) in Florianopolis is $74, while the average daily cost in Puerto Madryn is $61. 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 Puerto Madryn in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Florianopolis $25
    Puerto Madryn $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Florianopolis $50
    Puerto Madryn $82
Compare Hotels in Florianopolis and Puerto Madryn

Looking for a hotel in Florianopolis or Puerto Madryn? 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 Puerto Madryn


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 and Puerto Madryn Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Florianopolis $13
    Puerto Madryn $2.53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florianopolis

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

  • Shared Transfer: $13
  • Hercilio Luz Airport - North Island Transfer: $13
  • Private Transfer Florianópolis Airport to City Center: $31
  • Shared transfer from Florianópolis airport to Balneário Camboriú: $56
  • Transfer Hotels in Florianópolis/Airport - private: $67
  • Private Transfer from FLN Airport to the City Balneario Camboriú : $81
  • Private Transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $115
  • Roundtrip transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $228

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Madryn

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:

  • Trelew Airport Shuttle Transfer To Puerto Madryn : $42
  • Puerto Madryn Airport Private Transfer: $216
  • From Punta Tombo Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $138

Is it cheaper to fly into Florianopolis or Puerto Madryn?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Madryn 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 $36
    Puerto Madryn $7.60
Typical Food Prices in Florianopolis

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


  • A Quick Snack
    $0.42

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Florianopolis $25
    Puerto Madryn $45
Typical Entertainment Prices in Florianopolis

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


  • Internet
    $0.56

Tours and Activities in Florianopolis

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

  • Florianopolis Walking Tour - History, Art and Gastronomy: $17
  • Bombinhas Beach and 4 Islands Tour: $21
  • Florianópolis city tour (full day): $21
  • Shared Shuttle between Florianópolis Airport and Hotel with optional City Tour: $26
  • Discover Florianópolis: Full Day City Tour and Local Highlights: $27
  • Rafting Adventure in Apuama - Rio Cubatão in Greater Florianópolis: $35
  • Floripa City Tour by Bus - Whole Island - The Most Complete City Tour: $35
  • Tour Balneario Camboriu and Laranjeiras Beach TELEFERICO INCLUDED: $36
  • Balneário Camboriú tour and cable car ride from Florianópolis: $39
  • Secret Island Adventure: Gravata Trail, Floripa: $39
  • Blumenau City Tour - departing from Florianópolis: $40
  • Blumenau City Tour from Florianópolis: $40

Tours and Activities in Puerto Madryn

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

  • 3 hour 4x4 tour around Puerto Madryn: $110
  • Cruise Shore Exc. Ea San Lorenzo (Penguins) Lunch Included: $159
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Ea San Lorenzo Peninsula Valdes - Patagonia - Argentina: $159
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Peninsula Valdes - Box Lunch Included: $105
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Peninsula Valdes - Pto Madryn - Patagonia - Argentina: $95
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Pta Tombo (penguins): $105
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Punta Tombo - From Puerto Madryn Patagonia: $120
  • Cruise Shore Punta Loma and city overview: $83
  • Day trip in an all-terrain vehicle: 4x4 adventure + lunch at a Patagonian ranch: $160
  • Dolphin Watching Adventure: $105
  • El Doradillo Whale Watching Half-Day Tour from Puerto Madryn: $60
  • Exclusive Full Day Tour Penguin Colony in Punta Tombo from Madryn: $200

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Florianopolis $8.34
    Puerto Madryn $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Florianopolis

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


  • Beer
    $0.56


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

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


Which is Bigger, Florianopolis or Puerto Madryn?

Florianopolis has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Puerto Madryn. When comparing the sizes of Florianopolis and Puerto Madryn, 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 Puerto Madryn?

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 Puerto Madryn in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Florianopolis as well as Puerto Madryn. The summer months attract visitors to Florianopolis because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Florianopolis is a little warmer than Puerto Madryn. Typically, the summer temperatures in Florianopolis in January average around 25°C (76°F), and Puerto Madryn averages at about 22°C (71°F).

Florianopolis receives a lot of rain in the summer. Florianopolis usually gets more rain in January than Puerto Madryn. Florianopolis gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Florianopolis 25°C (76°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Florianopolis or Puerto Madryn in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Madryn and Florianopolis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Florianopolis this time of year.

In April, Florianopolis is generally much warmer than Puerto Madryn. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 22°C (71°F), and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In April, Florianopolis usually receives more rain than Puerto Madryn. Florianopolis gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Florianopolis 22°C (71°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Florianopolis or Puerto Madryn in the Winter?

Both Puerto Madryn and Florianopolis during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Florianopolis for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Florianopolis is much warmer than Puerto Madryn in the winter. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In Puerto Madryn, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than Puerto Madryn. Florianopolis gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Madryn receives 209 hours of full sun.

Florianopolis usually gets more rain in July than Puerto Madryn. Florianopolis gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Florianopolis or Puerto Madryn in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Florianopolis and Puerto Madryn. Many visitors come to Florianopolis in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Florianopolis is a little warmer than Puerto Madryn. Typically, the spring temperatures in Florianopolis in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Puerto Madryn averages at about 14°C (58°F).

Florianopolis gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Florianopolis usually receives more rain than Puerto Madryn. Florianopolis gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Florianopolis 20°C (68°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Puerto Madryn and Florianopolis

Florianopolis Puerto Madryn
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (76°F) 163 mm (6.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 197 mm (7.8 in) 21°C (69°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 173 mm (6.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Apr 22°C (71°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 14°C (58°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 10°C (51°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Jun 17°C (63°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 7°C (45°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 7°C (45°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 17°C (63°F) 95 mm (3.8 in) 9°C (48°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 134 mm (5.3 in) 11°C (53°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Nov 22°C (71°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Dec 24°C (74°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)