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

Should you visit Fortaleza or Puerto Varas?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Fortaleza and Puerto Varas 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: Fortaleza or Puerto Varas?

Fortaleza

A major city on Brazil's northeastern coast and the capital city of Ceara state, Fortaleza is best characterized by its city landscape lined with beaches and palm trees. It also features some great seafood as well as long-standing folk traditions in culture and dance.

Puerto Varas

Puerto Varas is a city in Southern Chile, in the Los Lagos (Lakes) Region, Llanquihue Province. It is a charming town, only 23 km away from Puerto Montt and surrounded by the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes as well as the impressive Llanquihue lake. In terms of landscape, accommodation and activities, Puerto Varas is well served! Kayak, paddle, canyoning, rock climbing, trekking, ski, fishing, you name it! If you decide to stop in that area, we recommend that you stay in Puerto Varas, as it provides the perfect starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.

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


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Fortaleza?

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

  • Fortaleza Prices
    Brazil Prices
    Puerto Varas Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Fortaleza $88
    Puerto Varas $136

The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $88, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $136. 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 Fortaleza and Puerto Varas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fortaleza $30
    Puerto Varas $72
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fortaleza $60
    Puerto Varas $144
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and Puerto Varas

Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza or Puerto Varas? 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 Fortaleza


Hotels in Puerto Varas


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: Fortaleza Hotel Prices and Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fortaleza $21
    Puerto Varas $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza

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

  • Arrival Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Fortaleza by Sedan: $72
  • Cumbuco Shared Transfer From Fortaleza: $46
  • Fortaleza Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza - Arrival Private Transfer: $33
  • Fortaleza Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
  • Fortaleza Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $95
  • Fortaleza Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza Round-Trip Private Transfer: $67
  • Fortaleza Airport Private Transfer: $53
  • Fortaleza Airport Shared Transfer: $39
  • Fortaleza Airport to Cumbuco–Way Transfer: $47
  • Fortaleza Round-Trip Airport Transfers: $52
  • Fortaleza Roundtrip Airport Transfers: $41
  • Fortaleza to Fortaleza Airport (FOR) - Departure Private Transfer: $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:

  • Puerto Varas Airport Private Transfer: $69
  • Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
  • Cruce Andino Office Private Transfer from Puerto Varas: $27
  • Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22

Is it cheaper to fly into Fortaleza or Puerto Varas?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas and Fortaleza 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
    Fortaleza $42
    Puerto Varas $46

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fortaleza $15
    Puerto Varas $20

Tours and Activities in Fortaleza

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fortaleza.

  • Cumbuco Beach Tour: $11
  • 3 Beaches in 1 Day Tour Leaving Fortaleza: $13
  • Full Day Tour to Cumbuco From Fortaleza: $13
  • Águas Belas Tour: $15
  • Lagoinha Beach Tour: $17
  • Tour 3 beaches in 1 day: $19
  • Canoa Quebrada Beach Tour with Nettour: $20
  • Canoe Quebrada Full Day Tour - Departure from Fortaleza by Vitorino Turismo: $24
  • Fortaleza Panoramic City Tour with visit to Cumbuco Beach: $24
  • Tour 3 Beaches in 1 day (Morro Branco, Praia das Fontes and Canoa Quebrada): $24
  • Panoramic City Tour with Cumbuco Beach - ForYou Receptive: $24
  • Jericoacoara Tour in a Full Day - Leaving Fortaleza by Girafatur: $26

Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas

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

  • Chiloe Island - Puñihuil Tour: $90
  • From Chiloe Island Full-day Tour: $65
  • From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
  • Full-Day Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Falls Small-Group Tour: $90
  • Guided Tour to Termas del Sol and Cochamo with Transportation Included: $56
  • Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $52
  • Premium Full Day Shared Tour Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Falls: $230
  • Premium Full day Tour to Osorno Volcano and Petrohue in Puerto Varas: $240
  • Premium Half Day Shared Tour Sunset at Osorno Volcano: $130
  • Private Full-Day Tour: Llanquihue Lake & Waterfalls Experience: $229
  • Private Tour of Sport Rock Climbing: $150
  • Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue: $62

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fortaleza $10
    Puerto Varas $6.99


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

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


Which is Bigger, Fortaleza or Puerto Varas?

Fortaleza has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Fortaleza and Puerto Varas, 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 Fortaleza or Puerto Varas?

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 Fortaleza or Puerto Varas in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Fortaleza as well as Puerto Varas. The summer months attract visitors to Fortaleza because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Fortaleza is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the summer. The daily temperature in Fortaleza averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fortaleza this time of the year. In the summer, Fortaleza often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varas. Fortaleza gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 204 hours of full sun.

Fortaleza receives a lot of rain in the summer. Fortaleza usually gets more rain in January than Puerto Varas. Fortaleza gets 119 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, July to January in Fortaleza is the dry season. January to July in Fortaleza is the rainy season.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Fortaleza 28°C (82°F) 
    Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Fortaleza or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Varas and Fortaleza are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Fortaleza this time of year.

In the autumn, Fortaleza is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Fortaleza in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Fortaleza usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during autumn. Fortaleza gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. It's quite rainy in Fortaleza. In April, Fortaleza usually receives more rain than Puerto Varas. Fortaleza gets 356 mm (14 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Fortaleza 27°C (80°F) 
    Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Fortaleza or Puerto Varas in the Winter?

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

In July, Fortaleza is generally much warmer than Puerto Varas. Daily temperatures in Fortaleza average around 26°C (79°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

It's quite sunny in Fortaleza. In the winter, Fortaleza often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varas. Fortaleza gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 67 hours of full sun.

Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Fortaleza usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Varas. Fortaleza gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year. July to January is the dry season in Fortaleza. January to July is the rainy season in Fortaleza.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Fortaleza 26°C (79°F) 
    Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Fortaleza or Puerto Varas in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Fortaleza and Puerto Varas. Many visitors come to Fortaleza in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Fortaleza is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the spring. The daily temperature in Fortaleza averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In Fortaleza, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fortaleza usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during spring. Fortaleza gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.

Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the spring. In October, Fortaleza usually receives less rain than Puerto Varas. Fortaleza gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Fortaleza 28°C (82°F) 
    Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Fortaleza

Fortaleza Puerto Varas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 16°C (60°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Mar 27°C (80°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 13°C (55°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 356 mm (14 in) 11°C (51°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
May 27°C (80°F) 256 mm (10.1 in) 9°C (49°F) 234 mm (9.2 in)
Jun 26°C (80°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 224 mm (8.8 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 7°C (45°F) 229 mm (9 in)
Aug 27°C (80°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 209 mm (8.2 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 9°C (47°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 11°C (51°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 28°C (82°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 14°C (58°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)