Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas or Liberia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Liberia or Punta Arenas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Liberia and Punta Arenas. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Liberia or Punta Arenas?
Liberia
Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.
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 Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica, 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 dayLiberia $112Punta Arenas $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Liberia is $112, 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 Liberia and Punta Arenas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLiberia $60Punta Arenas $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLiberia $120Punta Arenas $64
Compare Hotels in Liberia and Punta Arenas
Looking for a hotel in Liberia 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: Liberia Hotel Prices and Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Liberia $43Punta Arenas $1.80
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Bike Rental$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:
- Transfer Dreams Las Mareas from Airports ROUND TRIP: $300
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Santa Teresa: $300
- Punta Islita Hotel to/from Liberia Airport - Shuttle & Transfers Service: $279
- Liberia Airport (LIR)to Malpais / Montezuma - Raund-Trip Transfer: $272
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Nosara: $250
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Dreams Las Mareas: $245
- One-Way Private Transfer from Liberia Guanacaste Airport to La Fortuna (Arenal): $241
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Dreams Las Mareas, Costa Rica: $240
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Arenal / La Fortuna : $232
- Transfers Tamarindo Diria or Occidental Tamarindo, Round Trip.: $230
- Private Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Dreams Las Mareas - Costa Rica: $215
- Private Transfer Ato Lir - JW Marriott Standar: $210
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
- Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer from Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas hotels: $64
- Transfer from Punta Arenas (city or airport) to Puerto Natales: $267
Is it cheaper to fly into Liberia or Punta Arenas?
Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas and Liberia 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 dayLiberia $21Punta Arenas $21
Typical Food Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Snacks$1.97
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Lunch at The Shack (for 1)$4.95
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Lunch$11
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Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)$14
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Ginger Ale$1.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.
- 2-Hour Cooking Class in Nosara : $65
- Private Local Cooking Class in Nosara: $85
- Private Sunset Dinner at the Beach with Chef : $190
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.Liberia $25Punta Arenas $6.44
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
- ATV Tour Guanacaste the Beach Excursion & Trail: $110
- Llanos de Cortez Safari and Waterfall Tour: $190
- Mega Combo Adventure: $195
- Nicaragua one day tour from Costa Rica, Discover it: $250
- (Private) La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike: $41
- 2 Hour ATV Private Tour in Costa Rica: $81
- 2 In 1 Jet Sky & Buggy Private Tour: $300
- 2-Hours UTV Tour: $110
- 3 Hour ATV Adventure Tour in El Jobo: $130
- 4 Tours in 1 Action Package - Playa del Coco area: $170
- 5 in 1 sloth, Rainforest, waterfalls, hanging bridges, volcanic activity tour.: $285
- 6 Hours Guanacaste Cultural and Local Farm Experience: $77
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 dayLiberia $13Punta 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Liberia and Punta Arenas, we can see that Liberia is more expensive. And not only is Punta Arenas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Liberia is in Central America and Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Punta Arenas 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 Liberia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Liberia than you might in Punta Arenas.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Liberia Expensive? and Is Punta Arenas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Liberia or Punta Arenas?
Punta Arenas has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Liberia. When comparing the sizes of Liberia 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 Liberia or Punta Arenas?
Punta Arenas has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Liberia experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Liberia or Punta Arenas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Liberia as well as Punta Arenas. Liberia attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Liberia is generally much warmer than Punta Arenasin January. Daily temperatures in Liberia average around 28°C (82°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Punta Arenas. In the summer, Liberia often gets less sunshine than Punta Arenasin January. Liberia gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 208 hours of full sun.
Liberia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Liberia usually gets more rain in July than Punta Arenasin January. Liberia gets 164 mm (6.5 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 JanuaryLiberia 28°C (82°F)Punta Arenas 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Liberia or Punta Arenas in the Autumn?
Both Punta Arenas and Liberia are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Liberia throughout the year.
Liberia is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Liberia averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F)in April.
Liberia usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during autumn. Liberia gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Liberia. In October, Liberia usually receives more rain than Punta Arenasin April. Liberia gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Liberia is December to April. The rainy season in Liberia is April to December.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLiberia 27°C (81°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Liberia or Punta Arenas in the Winter?
Both Punta Arenas and Liberia during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Liberia because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Punta Arenas can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Liberia is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Liberia in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 1°C (35°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Liberia. In the winter, Liberia often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenasin July. Liberia gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 70 hours of full sun.
Liberia usually gets less rain in January than Punta Arenasin July. Liberia gets 8 mm (0.3 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 JulyLiberia 27°C (81°F)Punta Arenas 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Liberia or Punta Arenas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Liberia and Punta Arenas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Liberia year-round.
In April, Liberia is generally much warmer than Punta Arenasin October. Daily temperatures in Liberia average around 29°C (85°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In Liberia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Liberia usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during spring. Liberia gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Liberia usually receives around the same amount of rain as Punta Arenasin October. Liberia gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. December to April in Liberia is the dry season. Also, April to December is the rainy season in Liberia.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLiberia 29°C (85°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Punta Arenas and Liberia
| Liberia | Punta Arenas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.