Which place is cheaper, Pucon or Huaraz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Huaraz or Pucon?
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 Huaraz and Pucon can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Huaraz or Pucon?
Huaraz
Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHuaraz $50Pucon $100
The average daily cost (per person) in Huaraz is $50, 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 Huaraz and Pucon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHuaraz $20Pucon $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHuaraz $40Pucon $86
Compare Hotels in Huaraz and Pucon
Looking for a hotel in Huaraz 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.
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: Huaraz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Huaraz $10Pucon $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huaraz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$2.17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:
- Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $49
- Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
- Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $114
Is it cheaper to fly into Huaraz or Pucon?
Prices for flights to both Pucon and Huaraz 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 dayHuaraz $18Pucon $38
Typical Food Prices in Huaraz
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Huaraz:
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Lunch$5.97
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Chips$1.49
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Huaraz $19Pucon $37
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huaraz
Here are a few typical costs in Huaraz for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Climbing Gear$17
Tours and Activities in Huaraz
Here are a few actual costs in Huaraz for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Traditional Picante de Cuy Gastronomy Tour in Huaraz: $15
- 69 Lake Tour of Peru: $26
- Glacier Pastoruri and Puya Raimondi Full Day Tour: $28
- Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $30
- From Huaraz || Full day tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca: $36
- From Tour to Llanganuco Lakes (Chinancocha Lake): $37
- From Tour to Archeological Complex of Chavin: $38
- Lake 69 Full-Day Hiking Tour from Huaraz: $40
- Ancash: Nevado pastors and puyas Raymondi Tour | Full Day |: $40
- From Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $46
- From Chavín de Huantar fullday tour: $56
- From Ancash: Tour fantastic in Huaraz |2Days-1Night|: $92
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
- Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
- Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93
- Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
- Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
- Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
- Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
- Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHuaraz $15Pucon $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Huaraz and Pucon, we can see that Pucon is more expensive. And not only is Huaraz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Huaraz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huaraz 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 Huaraz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Huaraz Expensive? and Is Pucon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Huaraz or Pucon?
Huaraz has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Pucon. When comparing the sizes of Huaraz 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 Huaraz or Pucon?
Pucon has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Huaraz experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Huaraz or Pucon in the Summer?
Both Pucon and Huaraz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Huaraz throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Huaraz. Huaraz is much colder than Pucon in the summer. The daily temperature in Huaraz averages around 3°C (37°F) in July, and Pucon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in January.
In July, Huaraz usually receives more rain than Puconin January. Huaraz gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryHuaraz 3°C (37°F)Pucon 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Pucon in the Autumn?
Both Pucon and Huaraz during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Huaraz because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Huaraz can get quite cold in the autumn. In the autumn, Huaraz is much colder than Pucon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Huaraz in October average around 4°C (39°F), and Pucon averages at about 11°C (52°F)in April.
Pucon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Huaraz usually gets less rain in October than Puconin April. Huaraz gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilHuaraz 4°C (39°F)Pucon 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Pucon in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Huaraz and Pucon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Huaraz year-round.
In January, Huaraz is generally around the same temperature as Puconin July. Daily temperatures in Huaraz average around 7°C (45°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
Pucon receives a lot of rain in the winter. Huaraz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Huaraz usually receives less rain than Puconin July. Huaraz gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyHuaraz 7°C (45°F)Pucon 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Pucon in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Huaraz as well as Pucon. Huaraz attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Huaraz is much colder than Pucon in the spring. The daily temperature in Huaraz averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Pucon. Huaraz usually gets less rain in April than Puconin October. Huaraz gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberHuaraz 6°C (43°F)Pucon 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Pucon and Huaraz
| Huaraz | Pucon | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 7°C (45°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 8°C (46°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (45°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 6°C (43°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| May | 5°C (41°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Jun | 4°C (39°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 297 mm (11.7 in) |
| Jul | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Aug | 3°C (37°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 247 mm (9.7 in) |
| Sep | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 4°C (39°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (43°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.