Which place is cheaper, Puerto de la Cruz or Funchal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Funchal or Puerto de la Cruz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Funchal or Puerto de la Cruz? 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: Funchal or Puerto de la Cruz?
Funchal
Funchal is the capital city of the autonomous region of Madeira on the island of Madeira. The city is located to the south between the cities of Santa Cruz and Camara de Lobos. It is actually named for the fennel plant which grows liberally on the island. The city was most significant as a shipping center between the 15th and 17th centuries. Today it has a population of over 100,000 people and is, arguably, one of the most picturesque cities in Portugal. It's appeal as a tourist destination has made it the leading Portuguese port for cruise line dockings.
Puerto de la Cruz
The coast of the island of Tenerife is a dream destination for those seeking a luxurious getaway full of beaches and parties. However, for those of you traveling with families or looking to simply avoid the hustle and bustle of the nightclub crowd, there's Puerto de la Cruz. Known as a sophisticated destination, Puerto de la Cruz is one of the top places to visit yet still retains its authentic, Canarian charm.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, and The Best Luxury Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFunchal €93Puerto de la Cruz €112
The average daily cost (per person) in Funchal is €93, while the average daily cost in Puerto de la Cruz is €112. 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 Funchal and Puerto de la Cruz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFunchal €52Puerto de la Cruz €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFunchal €104Puerto de la Cruz €102
Compare Hotels in Funchal and Puerto de la Cruz
Looking for a hotel in Funchal or Puerto de la Cruz? 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: Funchal Hotel Prices and Puerto de la Cruz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Funchal €9.94Puerto de la Cruz €40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Funchal
Also for Funchal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Madeira Airport Shuttle Transfer one way: $9.81
- Private One way Transfer Madeira Airport to or from Funchal: $22
- Private Transfer from Madeira Airport(FNC) to Madeira Cruise Port: $26
- Funchal Airport(FNC) to Funchal hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
- Funchal Private Transfers Service to Madeira Airport: $29
- Madeira Airport Private Transfers Service To Funchal: $33
- Transfer Madeira Airport - Funchal: $35
- Minibus Transfer: Funchal - Madeira Airport: $38
- Premium Transfer Madeira Airport - Funchal: $44
- Transfer and Hiking PR8 Sao Lourenço : $44
- Madeira airport transfer for up to 8 people: $49
- Madeira Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfers Service: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Funchal or Puerto de la Cruz?
Prices for flights to both Puerto de la Cruz and Funchal 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 dayFunchal €31Puerto de la Cruz €34
Typical Food Prices in Funchal
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Funchal:
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Coffee€1.40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Funchal
For Funchal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Walking Food Tour Around Funchal: $31
- Madeira Nights Tour - Dinner and Show: $41
- Sunset Tour to Pico do Arieiro with Dinner and Drinks included: $76
- Gourmet Wine & Food Tour: $112
- Gourmet Wine & Food Tour: $112
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Funchal €15Puerto de la Cruz €28
Tours and Activities in Funchal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Funchal.
- Portugal eSIM Tourist Data Plan: $4.81
- Sacred Art Museum of Funchal Entry Ticket: $11
- Old Funchal Walking Tour: $15
- Scenic Route - Nuns Valley Tour: $25
- Funchal Hop-On Hop-Off Tour 3 in 1: $27
- Christmas Lights in Funchal Tuk Tuk Tour: $27
- São Vicente Caves and Volcano Center Half-Day Tour: $27
- Majestic West Tour : $31
- Amazing East Tour : $31
- Magnificent East Tour: $33
- Exorbitant West Tour: $33
- Santana / Typical Houses Tour: $33
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFunchal €16Puerto de la Cruz €5.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Funchal
Also in Funchal, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Skywalk and 4x4 Adventure with Amazing Views and Wine Tasting: $49
- Half day jeep Wine tour and tasting, & sea cliff adventure: $53
- Bestselling Wine Tour, Tasting Experience & Skywalk 4x4 Adventure: $53
- Wine tasting and Jeep Adventure in Madeira's Majestic Countryside: $56
- Pub Crawl: $59
- Shore Excursion: Private Madeira Tour & Wine Tasting: $86
- Amazing Skywalk, Wine Tasting & 4x4 Adventure + Dolphin Watching: $97
- Guided Toboggan Ride and Madeira Wine Tasting Tour: $98
- Tuk Tuk Wine Tour - Madeira Island: $102
- Weekends Madeira Wine Tasting São Vicente: $109
- Wine Tour by Overland Madeira: $150
- Visiting local Vineyard With Wine Tasting & Lunch included: $158
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Funchal and Puerto de la Cruz, we can see that Puerto de la Cruz is more expensive. And not only is Funchal much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Funchal would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Funchal 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 de la Cruz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto de la Cruz than you might in Funchal.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Funchal Expensive? and Is Puerto de la Cruz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Funchal or Puerto de la Cruz?
Funchal has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Puerto de la Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Funchal and Puerto de la Cruz, 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 Funchal or Puerto de la Cruz?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Funchal or Puerto de la Cruz in the Summer?
Both Puerto de la Cruz and Funchal during the summer are popular places to visit.
In the summer, Funchal is around the same temperature as Puerto de la Cruz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Funchal in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Puerto de la Cruz averages at about 24°C (75°F).
In Puerto de la Cruz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Funchal. In the summer, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Puerto de la Cruz. Funchal gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 334 hours of full sun.
Funchal usually gets more rain in July than Puerto de la Cruz. Funchal gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFunchal 22°C (72°F)Puerto de la Cruz 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Puerto de la Cruz in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Funchal and Puerto de la Cruz.
In October, Funchal is generally around the same temperature as Puerto de la Cruz. Daily temperatures in Funchal average around 21°C (70°F), and Puerto de la Cruz fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Puerto de la Cruz this time of the year. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Puerto de la Cruz during autumn. Funchal gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 218 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Funchal gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Funchal usually receives more rain than Puerto de la Cruz. Funchal gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFunchal 21°C (70°F)Puerto de la Cruz 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Puerto de la Cruz in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Funchal as well as Puerto de la Cruz.
Funchal is cooler than Puerto de la Cruz in the winter. The daily temperature in Funchal averages around 16°C (61°F) in January, and Puerto de la Cruz fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In the winter, Funchal often gets less sunshine than Puerto de la Cruz. Funchal gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 180 hours of full sun.
Funchal receives a lot of rain in the winter. Funchal usually gets more rain in January than Puerto de la Cruz. Funchal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFunchal 16°C (61°F)Puerto de la Cruz 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Funchal or Puerto de la Cruz in the Spring?
Both Puerto de la Cruz and Funchal are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In the spring, Funchal is cooler than Puerto de la Cruz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Funchal in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Puerto de la Cruz averages at about 20°C (68°F).
It's quite sunny in Puerto de la Cruz. Funchal usually receives less sunshine than Puerto de la Cruz during spring. Funchal gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 229 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Funchal usually receives more rain than Puerto de la Cruz. Funchal gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFunchal 17°C (63°F)Puerto de la Cruz 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto de la Cruz and Funchal
| Funchal | Puerto de la Cruz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 43 mm (1.7 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.