Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Nassau?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nassau or Puerto Varas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nassau or Puerto Varas, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Nassau or Puerto Varas?
Nassau
There are few vacation destinations more famous than the Bahamian city of Nassau. This capital city is full of laid back locals, relaxed tourists and the iconic pastel pink government houses.
As the largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau can hold plenty of people. Not only are there hundreds of tourists on any given day, the city is also home to 260,000 people – that is 80 percent of the Bahamas' total population.
Founded around 1650, Nassau's location made it a great spot on the trade route. So great, in fact, that it also became a popular destination for pirates – including the infamous Blackbeard.
Pack light because it's going to be pretty steamy in Nassau. The climate is essentially identical to southern Florida. It is warm and humid all year with the occasional cold snap in the winter.
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 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 dayNassau $189Puerto Varas $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Nassau is $189, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $109. 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 Nassau and Puerto Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNassau $109Puerto Varas $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNassau $218Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in Nassau and Puerto Varas
Looking for a hotel in Nassau 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: Nassau Hotel Prices and Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nassau $32Puerto Varas $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Nassau are as follows:
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Water Taxi$8.02
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Taxi to Cable Beach$25
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Taxi from Airport$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:
- (Private) Nassau Bahamas Airport Round-Trip Transfers (1-4ppl One Flat Rate): $160
- Airport Transfer: $190
- Atlantis Private Luxury Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $190
- Baha Mar ( Grand Hyatt, SLS, Rosewood Hotels) Private Airport Transfers : $160
- Chippies Airport/Hotel Transfers Transportation: $55
- Group transfer: $68
- Low Cost Airport Transfers: $185
- Luxury MKT Town Car Private Roundtrip Transfer : $140
- Luxury Taxi Transfer to Nassau Bahamas Paradise Island: $125
- Lynden Pindling Airport (NAS): Round-Trip Nassau Transfer: $252
- Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau cruise port - Arrival Transfer: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Nassau or Puerto Varas?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas and Nassau 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 dayNassau $53Puerto Varas $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nassau
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nassau.
- Nassau Food Tour and Beach Break: $65
- Conch Salad Cooking Lesson and Tasting in Nassau: $80
- Savor Old Nassau Dining Stroll by Tru Bahamian Food Tours: $116
- Sail Catamaran Sunset Dinner Cruise: $116
- Dinner and Dancing: $130
- Authentic Bahamian Cooking Class: $135
- Bahamian Cooking Class Lunch Experience by Tru Bahamian Food Tour: $140
- Island Food Tour: $140
- Gourmet dinner & sunset cruise on luxury catamaran: $375
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nassau $37Puerto Varas $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Nassau are as follows:
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Jet Ski$50
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4 Hr Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Nassau
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nassau are as follows:
- All New Weekend Tour with Seafood Snack Portuguese & Spanish : $7.00
- KINDWalk — Nassau Historical and Cultural Walking Tour: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Nassau Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Jewel of the Bahamas: $15
- Heritage Museum of The Bahamas Nassau Guided Tour: $20
- Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours: $28
- Roundtrip Shuttle from Cruise Terminal at Prince George Wharf: $29
- Nassau Sightseeing Bus Tour: $35
- Big Bus Private Tour (minimum of 15): $43
- Bahamas Ghost Walking Tour: $44
- Island Tour: $44
- Nassau Historical Walking Tour: $49
Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour Frutillar: $31
- Half day Frutillar and Llanquihue Town tour: $34
- Half-Day Tour to Frutillar and Llanquihue: $35
- Half day Osorno Volcano tour: $35
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $48
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $48
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $52
- From Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: Chiloé Island Tour: $60
- FullDay Chiloe Island Tour Castro and dalcahue: $62
- Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue : $62
- Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Varas: $68
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNassau $19Puerto Varas $6.51
Typical Alcohol Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Nassau are as follows:
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Cocktail$6.52
Sample the Local Flavors in Nassau
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nassau:
- Rum Runners Pub Crawl: $135
- Rum Runners Pub Crawl: $140
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nassau and Puerto Varas, we can see that Nassau is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Varas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nassau is in Caribbean Islands 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 Puerto Varas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Varas 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 Nassau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nassau than you might in Puerto Varas.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nassau Expensive? and Is Puerto Varas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nassau or Puerto Varas?
Nassau has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Nassau 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 Nassau or Puerto Varas?
Puerto Varas has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Nassau experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Nassau or Puerto Varas in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nassau and Puerto Varas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nassau year-round.
In the summer, Nassau is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nassau in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 16°C (60°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Puerto Varas this time of the year. In Nassau, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nassau usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during summer. Nassau gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.
Nassau gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nassau usually receives more rain than Puerto Varasin January. Nassau gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryNassau 28°C (82°F)Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Nassau or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Nassau as well as Puerto Varas. Nassau attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Nassau is generally much warmer than Puerto Varasin April. Daily temperatures in Nassau average around 26°C (79°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nassau this time of the year. In the autumn, Nassau often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varasin April. Nassau gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 104 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. Nassau receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nassau usually gets more rain in October than Puerto Varasin April. Nassau gets 184 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilNassau 26°C (79°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Nassau or Puerto Varas in the Winter?
Both Puerto Varas and Nassau are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nassau throughout the year.
Nassau is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the winter. The daily temperature in Nassau averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 7°C (45°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nassau. Nassau usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during winter. Nassau gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. In January, Nassau usually receives less rain than Puerto Varasin July. Nassau gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyNassau 21°C (70°F)Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Nassau or Puerto Varas in the Spring?
Both Puerto Varas and Nassau during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nassau because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Nassau is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nassau in April average around 23°C (74°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 11°C (51°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Nassau. In the spring, Nassau often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varasin October. Nassau gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 151 hours of full sun.
Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nassau usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Varasin October. Nassau gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberNassau 23°C (74°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Nassau
| Nassau | Puerto Varas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (72°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (74°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (80°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 184 mm (7.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (71°F) | 60 mm (2.4 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.