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

Should you visit Isla de Ometepe or Puerto Madryn?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Isla de Ometepe or Puerto Madryn, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Isla de Ometepe or Puerto Madryn?

Isla de Ometepe

Ometepe is a dramatically beautiful island in Lake Nicaragua in the country of Nicaragua. The island is the largest in the lake and is formed by two dramatic twin volcanoes that climb high from the water's surface. The two volcanoes are Concepcion and Maderas, and they are joined by an isthmus to make one island with an area of 276 square kilometers. The island is 31 kilometers long and between 5 and 10 kilometers wide. There are several small settlements on the island as well as a few coffee plantations. It is also one of the top sights in the country and makes for a unique travel destination.

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 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best 2-Week Tours in Argentina, and The Best 3-Week Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Madryn or Isla de Ometepe?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Isla de Ometepe is $34, 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 Isla de Ometepe and Puerto Madryn in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Isla de Ometepe $13
    Puerto Madryn $5.25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Isla de Ometepe $26
    Puerto Madryn $11
Compare Hotels in Isla de Ometepe and Puerto Madryn

Looking for a hotel in Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe


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: Puerto Madryn Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Isla de Ometepe $11
    Puerto Madryn $3.28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Madryn

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Isla de Ometepe or Puerto Madryn?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Madryn and Isla de Ometepe 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
    Isla de Ometepe $13
    Puerto Madryn $5.69

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Isla de Ometepe $13
    Puerto Madryn $5.77

Tours and Activities in Isla de Ometepe

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Isla de Ometepe are as follows:

  • A great tour day for the ISLAND OF OMETEPE.: $80

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
  • Peninsula Valdes Full Day Tour: $88
  • Punta Tombo Tour, the Penguin Experience: $88
  • Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience: $90
  • Shore Excursion Punta Loma Sea Lions Reserve Including Puerto Madryn City Tour : $95
  • Wonderful Punta Tombo Penguin Rookery Tour : $100

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Isla de Ometepe $8.85
    Puerto Madryn $3.13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Isla de Ometepe and Puerto Madryn, we can see that Isla de Ometepe is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Madryn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Isla de Ometepe is in Central America and Puerto Madryn is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Isla de Ometepe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe Expensive? and Is Puerto Madryn Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Isla de Ometepe or Puerto Madryn?

Puerto Madryn has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Isla de Ometepe experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Puerto Madryn in the Summer?

Both Puerto Madryn and Isla de Ometepe are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Isla de Ometepe throughout the year.

In July, Isla de Ometepe is generally a little warmer than Puerto Madrynin January. Daily temperatures in Isla de Ometepe average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It's quite rainy in Isla de Ometepe. In July, Isla de Ometepe usually receives more rain than Puerto Madrynin January. Isla de Ometepe gets 144 mm (5.7 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
    Isla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Puerto Madryn in the Autumn?

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

Isla de Ometepe is much warmer than Puerto Madryn in the autumn. The daily temperature in Isla de Ometepe averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 14°C (58°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Isla de Ometepe. Isla de Ometepe usually gets more rain in October than Puerto Madrynin April. Isla de Ometepe gets 197 mm (7.8 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
    Isla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Puerto Madryn in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Isla de Ometepe and Puerto Madryn. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Isla de Ometepe year-round.

In the winter, Isla de Ometepe is much warmer than Puerto Madryn. Typically, the winter temperatures in Isla de Ometepe in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Puerto Madryn averages at about 7°C (45°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Puerto Madryn this time of the year. In Isla de Ometepe, it's very sunny this time of the year. Isla de Ometepe usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Madryn during winter. Isla de Ometepe gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Madryn receives 209 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Isla de Ometepe usually receives less rain than Puerto Madrynin July. Isla de Ometepe gets 4 mm (0.2 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
    Isla de Ometepe 26°C (79°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Puerto Madryn in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Isla de Ometepe as well as Puerto Madryn. Isla de Ometepe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Isla de Ometepe is generally much warmer than Puerto Madrynin October. Daily temperatures in Isla de Ometepe average around 29°C (84°F), and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Isla de Ometepe usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Madrynin October. Isla de Ometepe gets 6 mm (0.2 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
    Isla de Ometepe 29°C (84°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Puerto Madryn and Isla de Ometepe

Isla de Ometepe Puerto Madryn
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 22°C (71°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 21°C (69°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 14°C (58°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
May 29°C (84°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 10°C (51°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 196 mm (7.7 in) 7°C (45°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 144 mm (5.7 in) 7°C (45°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 151 mm (5.9 in) 9°C (48°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 210 mm (8.3 in) 11°C (53°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.8 in) 14°C (58°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Nov 31°C (88°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)