Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Huaraz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Huaraz or Puerto Varas?
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 Varas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Huaraz or Puerto Varas?
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 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru, The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHuaraz $50Puerto Varas $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Huaraz is $50, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $109. 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 Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHuaraz $20Puerto Varas $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHuaraz $40Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in Huaraz and Puerto Varas
Looking for a hotel in Huaraz 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.
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 Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Huaraz $10Puerto Varas $21
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 Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Huaraz or Puerto Varas?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas 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 Varas $25
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 Varas $19
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 Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour Frutillar: $31
- Half day Frutillar and Llanquihue Town tour: $34
- Half-Day Tour to Frutillar and Llanquihue: $35
- Half day Osorno Volcano tour: $35
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $48
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $48
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $50
- From Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: Chiloé Island Tour: $60
- FullDay Chiloe Island Tour Castro and dalcahue: $62
- Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue : $62
- Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Varas: $68
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHuaraz $15Puerto Varas $6.51
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Huaraz and Puerto Varas, we can see that Puerto Varas 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 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 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 Varas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Huaraz or Puerto Varas?
Huaraz has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Huaraz 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 Huaraz or Puerto Varas?
Puerto Varas 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 Varas in the Summer?
Both Puerto Varas 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. In the summer, Huaraz is much colder than Puerto Varas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Huaraz in July average around 3°C (37°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 16°C (60°F)in January.
In July, Huaraz usually receives less rain than Puerto Varasin January. Huaraz gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas 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 Varas 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?
Both Puerto Varas 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 October, Huaraz is generally much colder than Puerto Varasin April. Daily temperatures in Huaraz average around 4°C (39°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Huaraz usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Varasin April. Huaraz gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas 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 Varas 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Puerto Varas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Huaraz and Puerto Varas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Huaraz year-round.
Huaraz is around the same temperature as Puerto Varas in the winter. The daily temperature in Huaraz averages around 7°C (45°F) in January, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 7°C (45°F)in July.
Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varasin July. Huaraz gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas 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 Varas 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Puerto Varas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Huaraz as well as Puerto Varas. Huaraz attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Huaraz is much colder than Puerto Varas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Huaraz in April average around 6°C (43°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 11°C (51°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. Huaraz usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Varasin October. Huaraz gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas 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 Varas 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Huaraz
| Huaraz | Puerto Varas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.