Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Montevideo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montevideo or Puerto Varas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montevideo and Puerto Varas can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Montevideo or Puerto Varas?
Montevideo
As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.
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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontevideo $63Puerto Varas $107
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $63, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $107. 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 Montevideo and Puerto Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontevideo $39Puerto Varas $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontevideo $78Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Puerto Varas
Looking for a hotel in Montevideo 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: Montevideo Hotel Prices and Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montevideo $7.32Puerto Varas $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 1 - way - Transfer from Carrasco Interational Airport to Montevideo: $51
- Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
- Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to Montevideo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $98
- Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
- Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $29
- Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $120
- TRANSFER FROM OR TO THE AIRPORT (4 to 12 paxs): $80
- Transfer from Carrasco International Aiport to Montevideo: $45
- Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
- Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $20
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 Montevideo or Puerto Varas?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas and Montevideo 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 dayMontevideo $13Puerto Varas $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo
For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $85
- El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango & Folklore in Montevideo: $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montevideo $21Puerto Varas $19
Tours and Activities in Montevideo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.
- Montevideo's Culture and History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Museo Andes 1972 / Crash Memorial Admission Ticket: $8.00
- Palacio Salvo Official Ticket with Guided Tour: $13
- Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo : $25
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $25
- Audio Guided Tour in Montevideo City for Cruisers: $26
- Walking Tour of the City of Montevideo (Spanish and/or Portuguese): $26
- Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers - AudioGuided: $26
- Shared Montevideo Tour for Cruisers: $30
- City Sightseeing Tour: $32
- Old City Walking Tour with Private Photographer: $33
- Walking Tour with Photographer and Audioguide: $33
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontevideo -Puerto Varas -
Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:
- Half Day Tour at Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $120
- Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
- Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and Puerto Varas, we can see that Puerto Varas is more expensive. And not only is Montevideo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Montevideo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montevideo 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 Montevideo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montevideo Expensive? and Is Puerto Varas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Puerto Varas?
Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo 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 Montevideo 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 Montevideo or Puerto Varas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Montevideo as well as Puerto Varas.
In January, Montevideo is generally much warmer than Puerto Varas. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 24°C (75°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montevideo this time of the year. In the summer, Montevideo often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varas. Montevideo gets 296 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 204 hours of full sun.
Montevideo usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Puerto Varas. Montevideo gets 90 mm (3.5 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 JanuaryMontevideo 24°C (75°F)Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Montevideo or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?
Both Puerto Varas and Montevideo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
Montevideo is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Montevideo usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during autumn. Montevideo gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. It's quite rainy in Montevideo. In April, Montevideo usually receives less rain than Puerto Varas. Montevideo 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 AprilMontevideo 17°C (63°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Montevideo or Puerto Varas in the Winter?
Both Puerto Varas and Montevideo during the winter are popular places to visit.
In the winter, Montevideo is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montevideo in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 7°C (45°F).
In the winter, Montevideo often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varas. Montevideo gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 67 hours of full sun.
Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Montevideo usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Varas. Montevideo gets 70 mm (2.8 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 JulyMontevideo 11°C (52°F)Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Montevideo or Puerto Varas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montevideo and Puerto Varas.
In October, Montevideo is generally much warmer than Puerto Varas. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 17°C (63°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In Montevideo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montevideo usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during spring. Montevideo gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the spring. Montevideo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Montevideo usually receives less rain than Puerto Varas. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 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 OctoberMontevideo 17°C (63°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Montevideo
| Montevideo | Puerto Varas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°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.