Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas or Leon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leon or Punta Arenas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Leon and Punta Arenas can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Leon or Punta Arenas?
Leon
Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.
With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.
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 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeon $59Punta Arenas $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Leon is $59, while the average daily cost in Punta Arenas is $63. 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 Leon and Punta Arenas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeon $16Punta Arenas $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeon $32Punta Arenas $64
Compare Hotels in Leon and Punta Arenas
Looking for a hotel in Leon 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.
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: Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leon $1.51Punta Arenas $1.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas
Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Punta Arenas Airport to/from Punta Arenas: $33
- Private Transfer from Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas hotels: $64
- Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $49
- Transfer from Punta Arenas (city or airport) to Puerto Natales: $267
Is it cheaper to fly into Leon or Punta Arenas?
Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas and Leon 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 dayLeon $12Punta Arenas $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leon.
- Tlakualli Food Tour: $19
Typical Food Prices in Punta Arenas
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Punta Arenas:
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Donut$1.05
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Dinner$25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leon $5.81Punta Arenas $6.44
Tours and Activities in Leon
Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 6 Hours Sunset Private Guided Tour of Telica Volcano in León: $163
- A Stroll Through León’s Enchanting Streets: Romantic Walking Tour: $226
- Half Day Private Tour of Cerro Negro's Volcano Boarding: $35
- Half-Day Leon City Tour: $135
- Hike El Hoyo Volcano "Private Tour" : $67
- Horseback Riding Private Tour : $103
- Kayak Private tour at Juan Venado Island: $92
- Leon City Walking Private Tour : $48
- Old Leon and Asososca Lagoon Private Tour: $82
- Rum Tour & Chorotega Museum Experience: $62
- Somoto Canyon "Private Tour from Leon" : $154
- Telica Sunset Tour : $93
Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.
- City Sightseeing and Monuments Guided Tour: $52
- Regular city cruise tour: $65
- Fort Bulnes cruises: $70
- Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
- Punta Arenas Sightseeing Tour: $72
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145
- Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $153
- Punta Arenas Private City Tour Shore Excursion: $155
- Magallanes Reserva and City Tour. Private Shore Excursion.: $158
- Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours: $180
- Mountain Bike Adventure in Punta Arenas: $192
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeon $3.53Punta Arenas $4.86
Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:
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Alcohol$7.34
When comparing the travel costs between Leon and Punta Arenas, we can see that Punta Arenas 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 Leon is in Central America and Punta Arenas 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 Leon Expensive? and Is Punta Arenas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leon or Punta Arenas?
Leon has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Punta Arenas. When comparing the sizes of Leon 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 Leon or Punta Arenas?
Punta Arenas has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Leon experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Leon or Punta Arenas in the Summer?
Both Punta Arenas and Leon during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Leon because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Leon is generally much warmer than Punta Arenasin January. Daily temperatures in Leon average around 27°C (81°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In Punta Arenas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Leon often gets less sunshine than Punta Arenasin January. Leon gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 208 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Leon. Leon usually gets more rain in July than Punta Arenasin January. Leon gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLeon 27°C (81°F)Punta Arenas 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Leon or Punta Arenas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leon and Punta Arenas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Leon year-round.
Leon is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Leon averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F)in April.
Leon usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during autumn. Leon gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Leon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Leon usually receives more rain than Punta Arenasin April. Leon gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLeon 27°C (81°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Leon or Punta Arenas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Leon as well as Punta Arenas. Leon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The weather in Punta Arenas can be very cold. In the winter, Leon is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Leon in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 1°C (35°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leon this time of the year. In the winter, Leon often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenasin July. Leon gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 70 hours of full sun.
Leon usually gets less rain in January than Punta Arenasin July. Leon gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyLeon 26°C (79°F)Punta Arenas 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Leon or Punta Arenas in the Spring?
Both Punta Arenas and Leon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon throughout the year.
In April, Leon is generally much warmer than Punta Arenasin October. Daily temperatures in Leon average around 29°C (84°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Leon. Leon usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during spring. Leon gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Leon usually receives less rain than Punta Arenasin October. Leon gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLeon 29°C (84°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Punta Arenas and Leon
| Leon | Punta Arenas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 29 mm (1.1 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.