A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers La Plata vs. Punta Arenas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit La Plata or Punta Arenas?

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 Punta Arenas can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: La Plata or Punta Arenas?

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.

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas is in the far south of Chile and has a long history of maritime commerce, oil extraction, and sheep farming. It's the most populated city on the Strait of Magellan and has all the facilities you might need as a traveler, including banks, markets, drugstores and equipment shops. With a population of about 130,000, the city is a comfortable place to spend time. It serves as a base for Antarctic expeditions, although many expeditions also start in Ushuaia, Argentina, and Christchurch New Zealand.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas or La Plata?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in La Plata is $8.75, while the average daily cost in Punta Arenas is $62. 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 Punta Arenas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    La Plata $3.52
    Punta Arenas $31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    La Plata $7.04
    Punta Arenas $62
Compare Hotels in La Plata and Punta Arenas

Looking for a hotel in La Plata or Punta Arenas? 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 La Plata


Hotels in Punta Arenas


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 Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    La Plata $2.51
    Punta Arenas $1.76

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas

Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Punta Arenas (city or airport) to Puerto Natales: $267
  • Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $50
  • Punta Arenas to Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) - Departure Transfer: $50
  • Private Transfer Punta Arenas Airport to/from Punta Arenas: $34

Is it cheaper to fly into La Plata or Punta Arenas?

Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    La Plata $3.43
    Punta Arenas $20
Typical Food Prices in La Plata

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to La Plata:


  • Ice Cream
    $0.01

Typical Food Prices in Punta Arenas

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Punta Arenas:


  • Donut
    $1.02
  • Dinner
    $25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    La Plata $2.19
    Punta Arenas $6.29
Typical Entertainment Prices in La Plata

For La Plata, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Sciencias Naturales Museum Entrance Fee
    $0.01

Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.

  • Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
  • Fort Bulnes cruises: $70
  • Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours: $180
  • King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $157
  • King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $138
  • Magallanes Forest and Club Andino Tour from Punta Arenas: $290
  • Magallanes Reserva and City Tour. Private Shore Excursion.: $158
  • Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $172
  • Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $153
  • Mountain Bike Adventure in Punta Arenas: $192
  • Pali Aike Full-Day Adventure from Punta Arenas: $300
  • Private City Cruise Tour: $225

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    La Plata $1.22
    Punta Arenas $4.75

Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:


  • Alcohol
    $7.17


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Plata and Punta Arenas, we can see that Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, La Plata or Punta Arenas?

La Plata has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Punta Arenas. When comparing the sizes of La Plata and Punta Arenas, 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 Punta Arenas?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit La Plata or Punta Arenas in the Summer?

Both Punta Arenas and La Plata are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In the summer, La Plata is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Plata in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Punta Arenas. La Plata usually receives less sunshine than Punta Arenas during summer. La Plata gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 208 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, La Plata usually receives more rain than Punta Arenas. La Plata gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    La Plata 25°C (77°F) 
    Punta Arenas 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit La Plata or Punta Arenas in the Autumn?

Both Punta Arenas and La Plata during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In April, La Plata is generally much warmer than Punta Arenas. Daily temperatures in La Plata average around 18°C (65°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the autumn, La Plata often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenas. La Plata gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 119 hours of full sun.

La Plata usually gets more rain in April than Punta Arenas. La Plata gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    La Plata 18°C (65°F) 
    Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit La Plata or Punta Arenas in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Plata and Punta Arenas.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Punta Arenas. La Plata is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the winter. The daily temperature in La Plata averages around 12°C (53°F) in July, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

La Plata usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during winter. La Plata gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, La Plata usually receives more rain than Punta Arenas. La Plata gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    La Plata 12°C (53°F) 
    Punta Arenas 1°C (35°F)

Should I visit La Plata or Punta Arenas in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to La Plata as well as Punta Arenas.

In the spring, La Plata is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Plata in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, La Plata often gets less sunshine than Punta Arenas. La Plata gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 183 hours of full sun.

La Plata receives a lot of rain in the spring. La Plata usually gets more rain in October than Punta Arenas. La Plata gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    La Plata 18°C (64°F) 
    Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Punta Arenas and La Plata

La Plata Punta Arenas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 101 mm (4 in) 11°C (52°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Mar 22°C (71°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 9°C (48°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 18°C (65°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 4°C (39°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Jun 12°C (53°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 2°C (35°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 12°C (53°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 1°C (35°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 13°C (55°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 3°C (37°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 5°C (40°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 7°C (44°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Nov 21°C (69°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 9°C (48°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Dec 23°C (74°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 11°C (51°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)