Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Manaus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Manaus or Puerto Varas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Manaus or Puerto Varas? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Manaus or Puerto Varas?
Manaus
Manaus is a Brazilian city, capital of the state of Amazonas, and is located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River. The city is a major departure point for those visiting the Amazon Rainforest, though there are a few sights worth seeing within the city itself as well.
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 Tours for Seniors to Brazil, The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManaus $59Puerto Varas $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Manaus is $59, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $109. 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 Manaus and Puerto Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManaus $42Puerto Varas $67
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManaus $84Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in Manaus and Puerto Varas
Looking for a hotel in Manaus 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: Manaus Hotel Prices and Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manaus $7.94Puerto Varas $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus
Also for Manaus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) -Departure Private Transfer: $21
- 24-hour hotel transfer - airport in Manaus: $17
- 24-hour private group transfer service airport -> hotel: $95
- Manaus Airport (MAO) to Manaus hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Manaus Airport(MAO) to Manaus hotels- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Manaus hotels to Manaus Airport(MAO) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Manaus private Airport transfer: $30
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Private 24-hour transfer from the Hotel to the Airport in Manaus: $16
- Private Transfer - Airport - Hotel / Hotel - Airport: $34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
- Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Manaus or Puerto Varas?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas and Manaus 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 dayManaus $12Puerto Varas $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manaus
For Manaus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Folklore Amazonian Dinner Show: $42
- Food Tour: $50
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manaus -Puerto Varas $19
Tours and Activities in Manaus
For Manaus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Walking Tours in Manaus: $15
- Like a Local Customized Guided Welcome Tour: $30
- Manaus City Tour e Musa: $50
- MUSA and INPA Museums with Observation Tower Tour: $50
- City Tour in Manaus at Teatro Amazonas and Praça da Matriz: $50
- Half-Day City Tour: $54
- Full-Day Tour on the Amazon River: $55
- Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
- Manaus Sightseeing Tour: $64
- Solimoes River Piranha Fishing and Alligator Watching Tour: $66
- Tour to Presidente Figueiredo Waterfalls: $68
- Amazon Waterfalls Tour: $70
Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- From Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: Chiloé Island Tour: $60
- 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: $50
- Lake Llanquihue Bike Tour in Puerto Varas: $129
- Petrohue Falls and Osorno Volcano Bike Tour: $124
- Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Varas: $68
- Premium Full Day Shared Tour Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Falls: $185
- Premium Half Day Shared Tour Sunset at Osorno Volcano: $130
- Premium Small-Group Half day Tour to Frutillar in Puerto Varas: $144
- Private Rock Climbing Experience in Northern Patagonia: $100
- Private Sightseeing Tour in Puerto Varas & Puerto Montt: $99
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayManaus $2.84Puerto Varas $6.51
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manaus and Puerto Varas, we can see that Puerto Varas is more expensive. And not only is Manaus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Manaus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Manaus 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 Manaus.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manaus Expensive? and Is Puerto Varas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manaus or Puerto Varas?
Manaus has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Manaus 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 Manaus 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 Manaus or Puerto Varas in the Summer?
Both Puerto Varas and Manaus during the summer are popular places to visit.
Manaus is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the summer. The daily temperature in Manaus averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In Puerto Varas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Manaus often gets less sunshine than Puerto Varas. Manaus gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 204 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Manaus. Manaus usually gets more rain in January than Puerto Varas. Manaus gets 264 mm (10.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryManaus 27°C (81°F)Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Manaus or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Manaus and Puerto Varas.
In the autumn, Manaus is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Manaus in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Manaus usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Varas during autumn. Manaus gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Manaus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Manaus usually receives more rain than Puerto Varas. Manaus gets 311 mm (12.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures AprilManaus 28°C (82°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Manaus or Puerto Varas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Manaus as well as Puerto Varas.
In July, Manaus is generally much warmer than Puerto Varas. Daily temperatures in Manaus average around 28°C (82°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Manaus this time of the year. In the winter, Manaus often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varas. Manaus gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 67 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. Manaus usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Varas. Manaus gets 85 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JulyManaus 28°C (82°F)Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Manaus or Puerto Varas in the Spring?
Both Puerto Varas and Manaus are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
Manaus is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the spring. The daily temperature in Manaus averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Manaus usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during spring. Manaus gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. It's quite rainy in Manaus. In October, Manaus usually receives around the same amount of rain as Puerto Varas. Manaus gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures OctoberManaus 29°C (84°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Manaus
| Manaus | Puerto Varas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 264 mm (10.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 311 mm (12.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.6 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.