Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or La Plata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit La Plata 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 La Plata and Puerto Varas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: La Plata or Puerto Varas?
La Plata
Just over an hour from Buenos Aires, the bustling university city of La Plata is notable for being South America's first planned city. Indeed, also known as the City of Diagonal, La Plata's intricate grid system includes diagonal streets that run through it, contributing to easy navigation but confusing intersections.La Plata is the Capital of the Province of Buenos Aires, the main Argentine state, so you will find lots of elaborate government buildings alongside leafy green plazas in this laid back as well as active city. La Plata is a happening university town with a population of over 700,000. You can walk the width of it in under an hour, stopping at trendy craft beer bars, local music joints, and great restaurants along the way. Also, football is a religion in Argentina and if you're looking for some local atmosphere, La Plata is the place to go! Two of Argentina's biggest football teams, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata and Estudiantes de La Plata challenge each other each year. If you are around during that special day for the city, you will witness thousands of fans wearing the relevant colours heading off to watch the match and parade by calle 7.
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 Adventure Tours to Argentina, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Argentina, The Best Wildlife Tours to Chile, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Chile.
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La Plata Prices
Argentina PricesPuerto Varas Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Plata $62Puerto Varas $127
The average daily cost (per person) in La Plata is $62, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $127. 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 La Plata and Puerto Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Plata $48Puerto Varas $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Plata $96Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in La Plata and Puerto Varas
Looking for a hotel in La Plata 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: La Plata Hotel Prices and Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Plata $3.87Puerto Varas $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) - Departure Transfer: $63
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
- Frutillar to Puerto Montt Airport PMC- Departure Private Transfer: $47
- Puerto Varas Airport Shuttle Transfer: $38
- Puerto Varas Bus Terminal Private Transfer: $25
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Cruce Andino Office Shuttle Transfer from Puerto Varas: $19
Is it cheaper to fly into La Plata or Puerto Varas?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas and La Plata 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 dayLa Plata $6.52Puerto Varas $43
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Plata $21Puerto Varas $19
Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chiloe Island - Puñihuil Tour: $90
- From Chiloe Island Full-day Tour: $65
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Full-Day Osorno Vulcano and Petrohue Falls Small-Group Tour: $80
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $52
- Lake Llanquihue Bike Tour in Puerto Varas: $162
- Premium Full Day Shared Tour Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Falls: $230
- Premium Half Day Shared Tour Sunset at Osorno Volcano: $130
- Private Rock Climbing Experience in Northern Patagonia: $120
- Private Tour of Sport Rock Climbing: $150
- Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue : $62
- FullDay Chiloe Island Tour Castro and dalcahue: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Plata $5.49Puerto Varas $6.51
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Plata and Puerto Varas, we can see that Puerto Varas is more expensive. And not only is La Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to La Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Plata 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 La Plata.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Plata Expensive? and Is Puerto Varas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Plata or Puerto Varas?
La Plata has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of La Plata 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 La Plata or Puerto Varas?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit La Plata or Puerto Varas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to La Plata as well as Puerto Varas.
La Plata is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the summer. The daily temperature in La Plata averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. In the summer, La Plata often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Varas. La Plata gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 204 hours of full sun.
La Plata usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Puerto Varas. La Plata gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryLa Plata 25°C (77°F)Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit La Plata or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?
Both Puerto Varas and La Plata are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, La Plata is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in La Plata in April average around 18°C (65°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 11°C (51°F).
La Plata usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during autumn. La Plata gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. In April, La Plata usually receives less rain than Puerto Varas. La Plata gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilLa Plata 18°C (65°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit La Plata or Puerto Varas in the Winter?
Both Puerto Varas and La Plata during the winter are popular places to visit.
In July, La Plata is generally much warmer than Puerto Varas. Daily temperatures in La Plata average around 12°C (53°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
In the winter, La Plata often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varas. La Plata gets 102 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 67 hours of full sun.
Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. La Plata usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Varas. La Plata gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyLa Plata 12°C (53°F)Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit La Plata or Puerto Varas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both La Plata and Puerto Varas.
La Plata is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the spring. The daily temperature in La Plata averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
La Plata usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during spring. La Plata gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the spring. La Plata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, La Plata usually receives less rain than Puerto Varas. La Plata gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberLa Plata 18°C (64°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and La Plata
| La Plata | Puerto Varas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 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.