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

Should you visit Huaraz or Puerto Madryn?

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 Puerto Madryn can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Huaraz or Puerto Madryn?

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.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru, The Best 2-Week Tours in Argentina, and The Best 3-Week Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Madryn or Huaraz?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Huaraz is $50, while the average daily cost in Puerto Madryn is $14. 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 Puerto Madryn in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Huaraz $20
    Puerto Madryn $5.25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Huaraz $40
    Puerto Madryn $11
Compare Hotels in Huaraz and Puerto Madryn

Looking for a hotel in Huaraz 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 Huaraz


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: Huaraz Hotel Prices and Puerto Madryn Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Huaraz $10
    Puerto Madryn $3.28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huaraz

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Madryn

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:

  • From Punta Tombo Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $131
  • Trelew Airport Shuttle Transfer To Puerto Madryn : $47

Is it cheaper to fly into Huaraz or Puerto Madryn?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Madryn 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Huaraz $18
    Puerto Madryn $5.69
Typical Food Prices in Huaraz

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Huaraz:


  • Lunch
    $5.97
  • Chips
    $1.49

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Huaraz $19
    Puerto Madryn $5.77
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huaraz

Here are a few typical costs in Huaraz for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • 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
  • Ancash: Nevado pastors and puyas Raymondi Tour | Full Day |: $40
  • Lake 69 Full-Day Hiking Tour from Huaraz: $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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Puerto Madryn

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Puerto Madryn are as follows:


  • Whale Watching for Two
    $0.35

Tours and Activities in Puerto Madryn

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

  • Kayaking adventure in Puerto Madryn: $60
  • Excursion to Punta Loma and Puerto Madryn for Cruisers: $60
  • From City and Punta Loma Tour: $70
  • Shore Excursion: Punta Loma+City Tour, for cruise passengers: $70
  • Punta Loma Shore Excursion with City tour: $75
  • Punta Loma Excursion for Cruise Passengers: $75
  • Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience - optional Whale Watching : $87
  • Punta Tombo Tour, the Penguin Experience: $90
  • Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience: $90
  • Shore Excursion Punta Loma Sea Lions Reserve Including Puerto Madryn City Tour : $95
  • 4 x 4 experience around Puerto Madryn: $100
  • Wonderful Punta Tombo Penguin Rookery Tour : $100

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Huaraz $15
    Puerto Madryn $3.13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Huaraz and Puerto Madryn, we can see that Huaraz 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 Huaraz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Huaraz 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 Huaraz Expensive? and Is Puerto Madryn Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Huaraz or Puerto Madryn?

Huaraz has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Puerto Madryn. When comparing the sizes of Huaraz 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 Huaraz or Puerto Madryn?

Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Huaraz and Puerto Madryn. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Huaraz year-round.

Huaraz can be very cold during summer. In July, Huaraz is generally much colder than Puerto Madrynin January. Daily temperatures in Huaraz average around 3°C (37°F), and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In July, Huaraz usually receives more rain than Puerto Madrynin January. Huaraz gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Huaraz 3°C (37°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Huaraz or Puerto Madryn in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Huaraz as well as Puerto Madryn. Huaraz attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

The weather in Huaraz can be very cold. Huaraz is much colder than Puerto Madryn in the autumn. The daily temperature in Huaraz averages around 4°C (39°F) in October, and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 14°C (58°F)in April.

Huaraz usually gets more rain in October than Puerto Madrynin April. Huaraz gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Huaraz 4°C (39°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Huaraz or Puerto Madryn in the Winter?

Both Puerto Madryn and Huaraz are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Huaraz throughout the year.

In the winter, Huaraz is around the same temperature as Puerto Madryn. Typically, the winter temperatures in Huaraz in January average around 7°C (45°F), and Puerto Madryn averages at about 7°C (45°F)in July.

It's quite rainy in Huaraz. In January, Huaraz usually receives more rain than Puerto Madrynin July. Huaraz gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Huaraz 7°C (45°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Huaraz or Puerto Madryn in the Spring?

Both Puerto Madryn and Huaraz during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Huaraz because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Huaraz is generally much colder than Puerto Madrynin October. Daily temperatures in Huaraz average around 6°C (43°F), and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Huaraz usually gets more rain in April than Puerto Madrynin October. Huaraz gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Huaraz 6°C (43°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Puerto Madryn and Huaraz

Huaraz Puerto Madryn
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 7°C (45°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 22°C (71°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 8°C (46°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 21°C (69°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Mar 7°C (45°F) 126 mm (5 in) 18°C (64°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Apr 6°C (43°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 14°C (58°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
May 5°C (41°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 10°C (51°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Jun 4°C (39°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 7°C (45°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Jul 3°C (37°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 7°C (45°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 3°C (37°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 9°C (48°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Sep 3°C (37°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 11°C (53°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Oct 4°C (39°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Dec 6°C (43°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)