A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mombasa vs. Valparaiso for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mombasa or Valparaiso?

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 Valparaiso. 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 Valparaiso?

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.

Valparaiso

Valparaiso, often referred to as Valpo, is an attractive city on the Pacific Coast in Chile. The city has a population of about 300,000 and is only 120 kilometers west of Santiago. The city's main industries aside from tourism include shipping and petroleum refining.

Valparaiso is popular with travelers because of its bohemian culture and brightly colored homes. It also offers some wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Although the city is short on specific sights, the atmosphere and beautiful setting make it a wonderful place to visit.

Valparaiso has a mild Mediterranean climate that is comparable to San Francisco or Santa Barbara. The summer is dry but fog is common year around. Rain can be heavy during the winter season and snow falls occasionally in the highest parts of the city. Winds can also be strong during the winter months.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Valparaiso or Mombasa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Mombasa Prices
    Kenya Prices
    Valparaiso Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Mombasa $81
    Valparaiso $89

The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $81, while the average daily cost in Valparaiso is $89. 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 Valparaiso in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mombasa $26
    Valparaiso $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mombasa $52
    Valparaiso $76
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Valparaiso

Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Valparaiso? 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.

Hotels in Mombasa


Hotels in Valparaiso


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 Valparaiso Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mombasa $18
    Valparaiso $5.18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa

Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Diani Taxi and Airport Transfers: $70
  • DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
  • From Mombasa Airport: Diani transfer in a minivan (5 pax): $75
  • Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $73
  • Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Nyali/bamburi/shanzu: $37
  • Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To South Coast Diani Hotels: $80
  • Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $114
  • Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $81
  • Mombasa Airport Transfers: $129
  • Mombasa Airport Transfers to Mtwapa: $130
  • Mombasa Kenya Minivan Airport Transfer: $100
  • Private Arrival Transfer in Mombasa: $60

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Valparaiso

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Valparaiso are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valparaiso

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valparaiso:

  • Valparaiso to Santiago Private Transfer or Santiago to Valparaiso: $142
  • Private transfer from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to San Antonio: $133
  • Private Valparaiso Port Visit El Cuadro Winery & Transfer: $270
  • Private Transfer from Viña del Mar to Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport: $258
  • Private Transfer from Viña Del Mar or Valparaiso City Hotel To Santiago City: $89
  • Private Transfer from Valparaiso Hotel or port To Santiago Airport or Hotel: $110
  • Private Transfer from Valparaiso Cruise Port to Santiago Hotels: $207
  • Private Transfer Viña del Mar to Santiago Airport: $170
  • Private Transfer Cruise Port to Santiago with Wine tour & tasting: $209

Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Valparaiso?

Prices for flights to both Valparaiso 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Mombasa $41
    Valparaiso $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
  • Swahili Cooking Class Experience with a Local Chef: $65
  • Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise & Nightlife: $137

Typical Food Prices in Valparaiso

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Valparaiso:


  • Empanada
    $2.02

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valparaiso

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valparaiso.

  • Cooking Classes in Viña del Mar Learn to Make Tapas and Desserts: $75
  • 3hr Viña del Mar Cooking Class with local : Ceviche & Leche Asada: $85
  • Learn to Cook Like a Local: Cooking Class in a Viña del Mar Home: $132

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mombasa $18
    Valparaiso $20

Tours and Activities in Mombasa

For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Mombasa Guided City Tour Experience: $25
  • Sunset Canoe Tour on a River within the Mangroves: $28
  • Tusks, Fort Jesus, Old Town, Beach and City Tour: $30
  • Mombasa city tour: $30
  • Kongo River Sunset Experience in Canoe: $32
  • Mombasa walking tour: $35
  • Mombasa old town Walking Tour and Fort Jesus: $38
  • Private Mombasa Food & Sightseeing Tour: $39
  • Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $40
  • Half day city tour of mombasa: $40
  • Private Mombasa City Tour Watamu Diani and Malindi: $40
  • Mombasa City Tour: $40

Typical Entertainment Prices in Valparaiso

Here are a few typical costs in Valparaiso for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Boat Tour
    $4.50

Tours and Activities in Valparaiso

Here are a few actual costs in Valparaiso for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • A Romantic Journey Through Viña del Mar - Private Tour: $222
  • Cultural Tour of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar: $40
  • Explore Valparaíso and Viña del Mar Tour: $58
  • Famous Valparaíso! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $40
  • Famous Viña del Mar! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $40
  • Full Day Private Walking Tour with a Native Guide & Public Transport: $120
  • Full-Day Tour of Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Reñaca & Concón: $180
  • Gastronomic Tour in Valparaiso: $189
  • Guided Panoramic Tour in Valparaíso: $40
  • Jewels of Viña del Mar – Private Walking Tour: $222
  • Outdoor Chilean BBQ: once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience: $289
  • PRIVATE TOUR: Pre-Post Cruise Viña del Mar Valparaiso and Casablanca Winery tour: $155

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mombasa $8.83
    Valparaiso $8.36

Typical Alcohol Prices in Valparaiso

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Valparaiso are as follows:


  • Beer
    $1.07

Sample the Local Flavors in Valparaiso

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Valparaiso:

  • Private Wine Tour in Valparaiso: $273
  • Santiago: Valparaíso Walking Tour & Casablanca Wine Tasting: $320


When comparing the travel costs between Mombasa and Valparaiso, we can see that Valparaiso 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. Even though Mombasa is in Africa and Valparaiso is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Valparaiso Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Valparaiso?

Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Valparaiso. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Valparaiso, 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.