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

Should you visit Kingston or Puerto Varas?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Puerto Varas, 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: Kingston or Puerto Varas?

Kingston

Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.

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 G Adventures Tours to Chile, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Kingston?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, 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 Kingston and Puerto Varas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $64
    Puerto Varas $67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $128
    Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Puerto Varas

Looking for a hotel in Kingston 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.

Hotels in Kingston


Hotels in Puerto Varas


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: Kingston Hotel Prices and Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $30
    Puerto Varas $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
  • 10. Norman Manley Intl Kingston Airport Fun-Transfer to/from Montego Bay Resorts: $125
  • Airport Transfer Norman Manley international airport: $30
  • Airport Transfer in Kingston: $50
  • All Island Private Transfer To/From Kingston Airport (KIN): $22
  • From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
  • Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $169
  • Kingston Airport Taxi Transfers Private ***: $47
  • Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $127
  • Kingston International Airport Jamaica - Private Arrival or Depature transfer : $73
  • Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161
  • Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $170

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 Kingston or Puerto Varas?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas and Kingston 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
    Kingston $27
    Puerto Varas $25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $13
    Puerto Varas $19

Tours and Activities in Kingston

Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Walking Tour with Mural Exploration: $26
  • Montego Bay: All inclusive tours: $30
  • Cannabis Shopping Tour with Lunch: $50
  • Ocho Rios Shore Excursion: Bus Tour of Ocho Rios, Fern Gully and Turtle Beach: $62
  • Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
  • Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
  • Tour a Jamaican Farm: $70
  • Kingston Half Day Community and Art Tour: $70
  • Kingston City Tour (starting in Kingston): $72
  • Shared Tour: Irie Blue Hole & Secret Falls Adventure Tour from Ocho Rios: $73
  • Friday Evening Kingston Harbour Cruise, Sunday Beach Cruise or Charter Our Boats: $75
  • Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $81

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: $52
  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Puerto Varas $6.51

Sample the Local Flavors in Kingston

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kingston:

  • Ocho Rios Pub Crawl and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $185


When comparing the travel costs between Kingston and Puerto Varas, we can see that Puerto Varas is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and Puerto Varas is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kingston Expensive? and Is Puerto Varas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Puerto Varas?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Kingston 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 Kingston or Puerto Varas?

Puerto Varas has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kingston experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Kingston or Puerto Varas in the Summer?

Both Puerto Varas and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.

In July, Kingston is generally much warmer than Puerto Varasin January. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 29°C (83°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Puerto Varas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during summer. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Puerto Varasin January. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Kingston or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?

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

Kingston is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the autumn, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varasin April. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 104 hours of full sun.

Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Puerto Varasin April. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Kingston or Puerto Varas in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Puerto Varas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.

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

In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.

Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Puerto Varasin July. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Kingston 26°C (79°F) 
    Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Kingston or Puerto Varas in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Puerto Varas. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Kingston is generally much warmer than Puerto Varasin October. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (80°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the spring, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varasin October. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 151 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Varasin October. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Kingston

Kingston Puerto Varas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 16°C (60°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 13°C (55°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 11°C (51°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 9°C (49°F) 234 mm (9.2 in)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 224 mm (8.8 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 7°C (45°F) 229 mm (9 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 209 mm (8.2 in)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 9°C (47°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 11°C (51°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 14°C (58°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)