Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas or Manaus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manaus or Punta Arenas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Manaus or Punta Arenas? 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 Punta Arenas?
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.
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 Tours for Seniors to Brazil, The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, 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 dayManaus $59Punta Arenas $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Manaus 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 Manaus and Punta Arenas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManaus $42Punta Arenas $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManaus $84Punta Arenas $64
Compare Hotels in Manaus and Punta Arenas
Looking for a hotel in Manaus 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: Manaus Hotel Prices and Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manaus $7.94Punta Arenas $1.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus
Also for Manaus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 24-hour private group transfer service airport -> hotel: $95
- Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Eduardo Gomes International Airport: $72
- Manaus Airport(MAO) to Manaus hotels- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
- Transfers from the airport to any place in Manaus City: $40
- Transfer from Manaus Airport to Manaus City: $40
- Private Transfer - Airport - Hotel / Hotel - Airport: $34
- Manaus private Airport transfer: $30
- Manaus hotels to Manaus Airport(MAO) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Manaus Airport (MAO) to Manaus hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
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: $49
- Private Transfer from Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas hotels: $64
- Private Transfer Punta Arenas Airport to/from Punta Arenas: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Manaus or Punta Arenas?
Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas 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
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Food Meals for one dayManaus $12Punta Arenas $21
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
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.Manaus -Punta Arenas $6.44
Tours and Activities in Manaus
For Manaus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adventure: 4-hour hike in the Amazon rainforest: $150
- Amazon Experience: meet a native village and swim with porpoises: $80
- Amazon Jungle Experience with Overnight: $300
- Amazon Jungle: 3- or 4-Day Tour at Ipanema River Guest House: $200
- Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
- Amazon Private Safari by Tuhiri Eco Tour - Leaving Manaus: $199
- Amazon River Stand Up Paddling Tour: $124
- Amazon and Negro Rivers Experience with Night Exploration Tour: $300
- City Tour Plus Amazon River Tour: $100
- City Tour in Manaus at Teatro Amazonas and Praça da Matriz: $50
- City Tour no Centro Histórico de Manaus com um fotógrafo: $90
- City-tour privado no centro histórico de Manaus: $97
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: $145
- 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: $153
- Mountain Bike Adventure in Punta Arenas: $192
- Pali Aike Full-Day Adventure from Punta Arenas: $300
- Private City Cruise Tour: $225
- Private Half Day Punta Arenas City Tour From the Hotel only: $250
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManaus $2.84Punta 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 Manaus 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. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manaus Expensive? and Is Punta Arenas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manaus or Punta Arenas?
Manaus has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Punta Arenas. When comparing the sizes of Manaus 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 Manaus 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 Manaus or Punta Arenas in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Manaus and Punta Arenas.
In the summer, Manaus is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manaus in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 11°C (52°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Punta Arenas this time of the year. Manaus usually receives less sunshine than Punta Arenas during summer. Manaus gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 208 hours of full sun in the summer.
Manaus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Manaus usually receives more rain than Punta Arenas. Manaus gets 264 mm (10.4 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryManaus 27°C (81°F)Punta Arenas 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Manaus or Punta Arenas in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Manaus as well as Punta Arenas.
In April, Manaus is generally much warmer than Punta Arenas. Daily temperatures in Manaus average around 28°C (82°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In the autumn, Manaus often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Punta Arenas. Manaus gets 112 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 119 hours of full sun.
Manaus receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Manaus usually gets more rain in April than Punta Arenas. Manaus gets 311 mm (12.3 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilManaus 28°C (82°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Manaus or Punta Arenas in the Winter?
Both Punta Arenas and Manaus are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Punta Arenas can get quite cold in the winter. Manaus is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the winter. The daily temperature in Manaus averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Manaus. Manaus usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during winter. Manaus gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Manaus usually receives more rain than Punta Arenas. Manaus gets 85 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyManaus 28°C (82°F)Punta Arenas 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Manaus or Punta Arenas in the Spring?
Both Punta Arenas and Manaus during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Manaus is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manaus in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 7°C (44°F).
In the spring, Manaus often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Punta Arenas. Manaus gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 183 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Manaus. Manaus usually gets more rain in October than Punta Arenas. Manaus gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberManaus 29°C (84°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Punta Arenas and Manaus
| Manaus | Punta Arenas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 264 mm (10.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 311 mm (12.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.6 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.