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

Should you visit Kingston or Valdivia?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Valdivia, 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 Valdivia?

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.

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 10-Day Tours in Chile, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Valdivia 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 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 Kingston and Valdivia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $64
    Valdivia $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $128
    Valdivia $80
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Valdivia

Looking for a hotel in Kingston 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.

Hotels in Kingston


Hotels in Valdivia


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 Valdivia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $30
    Valdivia $8.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
  • Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $280
  • Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
  • Private Airport Transfer Sangster Airport to Kingston: $229
  • NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
  • Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
  • Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
  • Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $170
  • Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $169
  • Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161
  • Private Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios : $133
  • Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $127

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 Kingston or Valdivia?

Prices for flights to both Valdivia 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
    Valdivia $21

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $13
    Valdivia $13

Tours and Activities in Kingston

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

  • Dunn's River Falls Party Cruise, Blue Hole with Snorkeling, free beverages: $174
  • 4x4 Jeep Safari & Blue Hole Adventure from Ocho Rios: $158
  • Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Ocho Rios: $232
  • Authentic Jamaican Food Experience: $140
  • Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Kingston: $231
  • Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Runaway Bay: $142
  • Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
  • Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $83
  • Bob Marley Museum Tour from Runaway Bay: $258
  • Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $370
  • Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $320
  • Bob Marley Museum and Kingston Sightseeing from Port Royal Cruise Port: $205

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Valdivia $4.79

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Valdivia, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. And not only is Valdivia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and Valdivia 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 Valdivia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valdivia 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 Kingston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kingston than you might in Valdivia.

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


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Valdivia?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Valdivia. When comparing the sizes of Kingston 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 Kingston or Valdivia?

Valdivia 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 Valdivia in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Kingston is much warmer than Valdivia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Valdivia averages at about 16°C (61°F)in January.

In Valdivia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the summer, Kingston often gets less sunshine than Valdiviain January. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valdivia receives 296 hours of full sun.

Kingston usually gets less rain in July than Valdiviain January. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    Valdivia 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Kingston or Valdivia in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Valdivia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.

In October, Kingston is generally much warmer than Valdiviain April. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Valdivia fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Valdivia during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Valdivia receives 132 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Valdivia receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kingston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than Valdiviain April. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    Valdivia 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Kingston or Valdivia in the Winter?

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

Kingston is much warmer than Valdivia in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Valdivia fluctuates around 7°C (45°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the winter, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Valdiviain July. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valdivia receives 66 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Valdivia. Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Valdiviain July. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Kingston or Valdivia in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Kingston is much warmer than Valdivia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Valdivia averages at about 11°C (52°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Valdivia during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Valdivia receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Valdivia. In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Valdiviain October. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    Valdivia 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Valdivia and Kingston

Kingston Valdivia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 16°C (61°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 17°C (62°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 9°C (48°F) 295 mm (11.6 in)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 297 mm (11.7 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 7°C (45°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 247 mm (9.7 in)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 9°C (48°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)