Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Mombasa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Mombasa or Puerto Varas?
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 Mombasa and Puerto Varas. 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: Mombasa or Puerto Varas?
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesPuerto Varas Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $81Puerto Varas $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $81, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $122. 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 Mombasa and Puerto Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Puerto Varas $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Puerto Varas $130
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Puerto Varas
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa 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: Mombasa Hotel Prices and Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Puerto Varas $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers to Watamu and Malindi: $75
- Diani Airport – Kenya Coast Beach Hotel Transfers: $131
- Diani Mombasa Moi Int Airport Transfer: $160
- From Mombasa Airport Diani Transfer in a Minivan 5 Pax: $75
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Nyali/bamburi/shanzu: $36
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To South Coast Diani Hotels: $78
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $110
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Malindi Hotels: $137
- Mombasa Airport Transfers: $129
- Mombasa Airport Transfers to Mtwapa: $130
- Mombasa Kenya Minivan Airport Transfer: $100
- Private Arrival Transfer in Mombasa: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $25
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) - Departure Transfer: $55
- Frutillar to Puerto Airport (PMC) - Departure Private Transfer: $72
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Puerto Varas?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas and Mombasa 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 dayMombasa $41Puerto Varas $41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Special African Dinner: $46
- Mombasa Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Swahili Street Food Tour: $55
- Diani Beach Sunset Dhow Cruise with Dinner: $69
- Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise & Nightlife: $133
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Puerto Varas $18
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Guided tour in Fort Jesus,Mombasa old town,spice market with Dido: $20
- Sunset Canoe Tour on a River within the Mangroves: $28
- Mombasa city tour: $30
- Diani Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $35
- Elky Diani Glass Bottom Tour to Robinson Island: $35
- Fort Jesus & Mombasa Old Town Walking CityTour: $38
- Private Mombasa Food & Sightseeing Tour: $39
- Half day city tour of mombasa: $40
- Mombasa City Tour: $40
- Half day Mombasa City Tour: $45
- Haller Park Tour observing hippos, giraffes, birds, monkeys, crocs & others: $45
- Private Walking Tour in Old Town: $45
Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chiloe Island - Puñihuil Tour: $90
- From Chiloe Island Full-day Tour: $72
- From Full-Day Tour to Termas del Sol and Cochamó Valley: $65
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $55
- Frutillar and Llanquihue Private Tour from Puerto Varas/Montt: $159
- Frutillar and Llanquihue: Tour from Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: $55
- Full-Day Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Falls Small-Group Tour: $90
- Guided Tour to Termas del Sol and Cochamo with Transportation Included: $56
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $52
- Premium Full Day Shared Tour Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Falls: $230
- Premium Full day Tour to Osorno Volcano and Petrohue in Puerto Varas: $240
- Premium Half Day Shared Tour Sunset at Osorno Volcano: $130
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.80Puerto Varas $6.27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Puerto Varas, we can see that Puerto Varas is more expensive. And not only is Mombasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa and Puerto Varas 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 Mombasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mombasa 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 Mombasa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Puerto Varas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Puerto Varas?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa 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 Mombasa or Puerto Varas?
Puerto Varas has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Mombasa experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Mombasa or Puerto Varas in the Summer?
Both Puerto Varas and Mombasa during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Mombasa is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the summer. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 16°C (60°F)in January.
In Puerto Varas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the summer, Mombasa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Varasin January. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 204 hours of full sun.
Mombasa usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Varasin January. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMombasa 24°C (75°F)Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Puerto Varas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round.
In the autumn, Mombasa is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mombasa in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 11°C (51°F)in April.
In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during autumn. Mombasa gets 291 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. Mombasa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Puerto Varasin April. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilMombasa 26°C (79°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Puerto Varas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Puerto Varas. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Mombasa is generally much warmer than Puerto Varasin July. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the winter, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varasin July. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 67 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. Mombasa usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Varasin July. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyMombasa 27°C (81°F)Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Puerto Varas in the Spring?
Both Puerto Varas and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year.
Mombasa is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the spring. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during spring. Mombasa gets 230 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 Mombasa. In April, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Puerto Varasin October. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberMombasa 27°C (81°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Puerto Varas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.