Which place is cheaper, Puerto Montt or Huaraz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Huaraz or Puerto Montt?
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 Montt can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Huaraz or Puerto Montt?
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 Montt
The Lake District is a region of snow capped volcanoes, pale green lakes and endless miles of virgin and ancient forests. Found 1,016 km away from Santiago de Chile, Puerto Montt is famous for its beautiful lakes and its germanic architecture, old wooden houses and its legendary Iglesia Catedral, found on the town's main square, la Plaza de Armas. The monument, entirely built with alerce (cypress) wood, is the oldest building of the city. The capital of the Lake Region is a good starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHuaraz $50Puerto Montt $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Huaraz is $50, while the average daily cost in Puerto Montt is $89. 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 Montt in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHuaraz $20Puerto Montt $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHuaraz $40Puerto Montt $122
Compare Hotels in Huaraz and Puerto Montt
Looking for a hotel in Huaraz or Puerto Montt? 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 and Puerto Montt Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Huaraz $10Puerto Montt $6.43
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 Puerto Montt
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Montt:
- 4 Days Tour Los Lagos Region with Transfer Chiloe and Peulla: $177
- Private Transfer from Puerto Airport (PMC) to Puerto Montt Port: $30
- Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $27
- Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $30
- Puerto Airport (PMC) to Frutillar - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $41
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Frutillar: Roundtrip Transfer: $46
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Round-Trip Transfer: $65
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas City- Arrival Transfer: $33
- Puerto Montt Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel in Puerto Varas: $24
- Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $41
- Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Huaraz or Puerto Montt?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Montt 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 $18Puerto Montt $21
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 $19Puerto Montt $14
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 Puerto Montt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Montt are as follows:
- Frutillar Tour: $31
- Half day Llanquihue and Frutillar City tour : $44
- Private Tour: Puerto Montt Sightseeing: $47
- Frutillar & Llanquihue Tour from Puerto Montt: $56
- Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls Guided Tour: $62
- Osorno Volcano Tour+Petrohue Falls / Cruises / Spanish: $68
- Alerce Andino National Park/Alerce Millenario/Cruises: $77
- Excursion City tour Puerto Varas / Llanquihue and Frutillar: $77
- Private. City Tour Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas: $92
- Austral / Hornopiren Road Tour: $102
- Frutillar & Llanquihue Private Tour from Puerto Montt: $128
- 6 Hours Shared Tour in Calbuco and Millennial Forest : $130
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHuaraz $15Puerto Montt $4.49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Huaraz and Puerto Montt, we can see that Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Huaraz or Puerto Montt?
Puerto Montt has a larger population, and is about 84% larger than the population of Huaraz. When comparing the sizes of Huaraz and Puerto Montt, 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 Montt?
Puerto Montt 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 Montt in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Huaraz and Puerto Montt. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Huaraz year-round.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Huaraz. In the summer, Huaraz is much colder than Puerto Montt. Typically, the summer temperatures in Huaraz in July average around 3°C (37°F), and Puerto Montt averages at about 16°C (60°F)in January.
In July, Huaraz usually receives less rain than Puerto Monttin January. Huaraz gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryHuaraz 3°C (37°F)Puerto Montt 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Puerto Montt in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Huaraz as well as Puerto Montt. Huaraz attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Huaraz can get quite cold in the autumn. In October, Huaraz is generally much colder than Puerto Monttin April. Daily temperatures in Huaraz average around 4°C (39°F), and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
It's quite rainy in Puerto Montt. Huaraz usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Monttin April. Huaraz gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilHuaraz 4°C (39°F)Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Puerto Montt in the Winter?
Both Puerto Montt and Huaraz are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Huaraz throughout the year.
Huaraz is around the same temperature as Puerto Montt in the winter. The daily temperature in Huaraz averages around 7°C (45°F) in January, and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 7°C (45°F)in July.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Montt. It's quite rainy in Huaraz. In January, Huaraz usually receives less rain than Puerto Monttin July. Huaraz gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyHuaraz 7°C (45°F)Puerto Montt 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Puerto Montt in the Spring?
Both Puerto Montt 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 the spring, Huaraz is much colder than Puerto Montt. Typically, the spring temperatures in Huaraz in April average around 6°C (43°F), and Puerto Montt averages at about 11°C (51°F)in October.
Puerto Montt gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Huaraz usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Monttin October. Huaraz gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberHuaraz 6°C (43°F)Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Montt and Huaraz
| Huaraz | Puerto Montt | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 7°C (45°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 8°C (46°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (45°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 6°C (43°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 5°C (41°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 4°C (39°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 3°C (37°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 4°C (39°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (43°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 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.