Which place is cheaper, Valdivia or Huaraz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Huaraz or Valdivia?
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 Valdivia can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Huaraz or Valdivia?
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.
Valdivia
Valdivia is a vibrant university city situated in southern Chile. It sits at the meeting point of three rivers in the aptly named Region de Los Rios (The Rivers Region) and is approximately 200 kilometers from both Temuco and Puerto Montt. Due to a large student population, Valdivia boasts a youthful and energetic vibe that is visible in its many bars, cafes and restaurants. The city is also known for having one of Chile's best craft beer cultures, which had its early beginnings when German settlers arrived in the 1840s. The rivers, nearby Pacific coastline and wetlands offer plenty for lovers of the outdoors, too.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru, The Best 10-Day Tours in Chile, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHuaraz $50Valdivia $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Huaraz is $50, while the average daily cost in Valdivia is $69. 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 Valdivia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHuaraz $20Valdivia $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHuaraz $40Valdivia $80
Compare Hotels in Huaraz and Valdivia
Looking for a hotel in Huaraz or Valdivia? 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 Valdivia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Huaraz $10Valdivia $8.08
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 Valdivia
Also for Valdivia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Valdivia Airport Private Transfer: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Huaraz or Valdivia?
Prices for flights to both Valdivia 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 $18Valdivia $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 $19Valdivia $13
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:
- 69 Lake Tour of Peru: $26
- Ancash: Adventure and Climbing to Mountain Alpamayo |6D-5N|: $3,303
- Ancash: Nevado pastors and puyas Raymondi Tour | Full Day |: $40
- Ancash: Trek and Adventure to Quillcayhuanca |3Days-2Nights|: $410
- From Ancash: Fantastic tour Huaraz/Nevado Pastoruri |4D-3N|: $192
- From Ancash: Huaraz Adventure with meals |3Days-2Nights|: $142
- From Ancash: Tour Huaraz with Puya Raymondi |4Days-3Nights|: $197
- From Ancash: Tour fantastic in Huaraz |2Days-1Night|: $92
- From Ancash: Tour in Huaraz with tickets and Hotel |5D-4N|: $250
- From Huaraz | Live an adventure between mountains and lakes: $214
- From Huaraz || Full day tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca: $36
- From Chavín de Huantar fullday tour: $56
Tours and Activities in Valdivia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Valdivia.
- Valdivia SUP Cruises for 6 People with Transportation Included: $35
- Sightseeing Tour in Valdivia : $76
- Private City Tour: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHuaraz $15Valdivia $4.79
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Huaraz and Valdivia, we can see that Valdivia 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 Valdivia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Valdivia 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 Valdivia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Huaraz or Valdivia?
Valdivia has a larger population, and is about 53% larger than the population of Huaraz. When comparing the sizes of Huaraz and Valdivia, 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 Valdivia?
Valdivia 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 Valdivia in the Summer?
Both Valdivia and Huaraz during the summer 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 be very cold during summer. Huaraz is much colder than Valdivia in the summer. The daily temperature in Huaraz averages around 3°C (37°F) in July, and Valdivia fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in January.
Huaraz usually gets more rain in July than Valdiviain January. Huaraz gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryHuaraz 3°C (37°F)Valdivia 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Valdivia in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Huaraz and Valdivia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Huaraz year-round.
The weather in Huaraz can be very cold. In the autumn, Huaraz is much colder than Valdivia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Huaraz in October average around 4°C (39°F), and Valdivia averages at about 11°C (52°F)in April.
Valdivia receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Huaraz usually receives less rain than Valdiviain April. Huaraz gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilHuaraz 4°C (39°F)Valdivia 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Valdivia in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Huaraz as well as Valdivia. Huaraz attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Huaraz is generally around the same temperature as Valdiviain July. Daily temperatures in Huaraz average around 7°C (45°F), and Valdivia fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
It's quite rainy in Valdivia. Huaraz receives a lot of rain in the winter. Huaraz usually gets less rain in January than Valdiviain July. Huaraz gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyHuaraz 7°C (45°F)Valdivia 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Valdivia in the Spring?
Both Valdivia and Huaraz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Huaraz throughout the year.
Huaraz is much colder than Valdivia in the spring. The daily temperature in Huaraz averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Valdivia fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Valdivia. In April, Huaraz usually receives less rain than Valdiviain October. Huaraz gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberHuaraz 6°C (43°F)Valdivia 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Valdivia and Huaraz
| Huaraz | Valdivia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.