Which place is cheaper, Pucon or Mar del Plata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mar del Plata vs. Pucon for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Mar del Plata or Pucon?
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 Mar del Plata and Pucon can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or Pucon?
Mar del Plata
Mar del Plata is found only 404 km southeast of the city of Buenos Aires, on the Atlantic coast. Today Mar Del Plata is Argentina‘s most well known beach resort. It has successfully married the two worlds of beach and city into a fun, cosmopolitan urban center with the presence of highly developed tourist infrastructure. Founded in 1874, Mar del Plata was at first mainly an industrial and commercial center before becoming a vacation destination for Argentinians. For a peaceful trip and intimate oceanfront promenades, avoid visiting Mar del Plata during summer time, as the gorgeous arced coastline will be crawling with visitors. But the city is more than just beaches. It also offers some culture, lively nightlife, and great food.
Pucon
A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.
Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMar del Plata $22Pucon $108
The average daily cost (per person) in Mar del Plata is $22, while the average daily cost in Pucon is $108. 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 Mar del Plata and Pucon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMar del Plata $7.78Pucon $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMar del Plata $16Pucon $92
Compare Hotels in Mar del Plata and Pucon
Looking for a hotel in Mar del Plata or Pucon? 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: Mar del Plata Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mar del Plata $6.16Pucon $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:
- Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
- Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $113
- Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $48
Is it cheaper to fly into Mar del Plata or Pucon?
Prices for flights to both Pucon and Mar del 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
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Food Meals for one dayMar del Plata $9.40Pucon $41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pucon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pucon.
- Learn to Cook Like a Local: Private Cooking Class in a Viña del Mar Home: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mar del Plata $5.60Pucon $40
Tours and Activities in Pucon
Here are a few actual costs in Pucon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Day Tour with Ascent to the Lanin Volcano in Pucon: $400
- 3-Hour Rafting Experience in Pucon: $50
- Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177
- Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
- Full Day Tour to Conguillio National Park from Pucon: $335
- Guided Ascent Tour to the Llaima Volcano from Pucón: $222
- Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
- Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
- Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
- Pucón, City Tour and surroundings - Half day: $265
- Pucon Walking City Tour: $40
- Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMar del Plata $4.38Pucon $29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mar del Plata and Pucon, we can see that Pucon is more expensive. And not only is Mar del Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mar del Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mar del 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 Pucon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pucon than you might in Mar del Plata.
Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or Pucon?
Mar del Plata is bigger, and its population is about 20.6 times larger than the population of Pucon. When comparing the population of Mar del Plata vs. Pucon, 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 and the activities that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Mar del Plata or Pucon?
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 Mar del Plata or Pucon in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Mar del Plata as well as Pucon.
Mar del Plata is a little warmer than Pucon in the summer. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 20°C (69°F) in January, and Pucon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pucon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mar del Plata this time of the year. In the summer, Mar del Plata often gets less sunshine than Pucon. Mar del Plata gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 296 hours of full sun.
Mar del Plata usually gets more rain in January than Pucon. Mar del Plata gets 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryMar del Plata 20°C (69°F)Pucon 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Pucon in the Autumn?
Both Pucon and Mar del Plata are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Mar del Plata is a little warmer than Pucon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mar del Plata in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Pucon averages at about 11°C (52°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. In April, Mar del Plata usually receives less rain than Pucon. Mar del Plata gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilMar del Plata 15°C (59°F)Pucon 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Pucon in the Winter?
Both Pucon and Mar del Plata during the winter are popular places to visit.
In July, Mar del Plata is generally a little warmer than Pucon. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 9°C (47°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
Pucon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in July than Pucon. Mar del Plata gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyMar del Plata 9°C (47°F)Pucon 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Pucon in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mar del Plata and Pucon.
Mar del Plata is a little warmer than Pucon in the spring. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Mar del Plata usually receives less sunshine than Pucon during spring. Mar del Plata gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.
Pucon receives a lot of rain in the spring. In October, Mar del Plata usually receives less rain than Pucon. Mar del Plata gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberMar del Plata 13°C (56°F)Pucon 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Pucon and Mar del Plata
| Mar del Plata | Pucon | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (69°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (65°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Jun | 9°C (48°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 297 mm (11.7 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (47°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (49°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 247 mm (9.7 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
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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.
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