Which place is cheaper, Puerto Madryn or Piriapolis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Piriapolis or Puerto Madryn?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Piriapolis or Puerto Madryn, 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: Piriapolis or Puerto Madryn?
Piriapolis
Piriapolis is a small beach town between Montevideo and Punta del Este in Uruguay. It is a more laid back version of Punta del Este with fewer fancy restaurants and clubs but it has perhaps more charm, with its grand old hotel and beachfront promenade backed by small mountains. The rather old-school coastal resort is vaguely reminiscent of a Mediterranean beach town.
Puerto Madryn
Puerto Madryn is mostly known as the gateway to Peninsula Valdes, welcoming tourists who come for whale watching. The Peninsula Valdes is a nature reserve designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site; 97 km long and 63 km wide, it is connected to the continent by an isthmus of 35 km from which we can see both gulfs, San Jose at north and the Nuevo at south.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best 2-Week Tours in Argentina, and The Best 3-Week Tours in Argentina.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPiriapolis $67Puerto Madryn $14
The average daily cost (per person) in Piriapolis is $67, while the average daily cost in Puerto Madryn is $14. 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 Piriapolis and Puerto Madryn in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPiriapolis $27Puerto Madryn $5.25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPiriapolis $54Puerto Madryn $11
Compare Hotels in Piriapolis and Puerto Madryn
Looking for a hotel in Piriapolis or Puerto Madryn? 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: Piriapolis Hotel Prices and Puerto Madryn Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Piriapolis $31Puerto Madryn $3.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Madryn
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:
- From Punta Tombo Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $131
- Trelew Airport Shuttle Transfer To Puerto Madryn : $47
Is it cheaper to fly into Piriapolis or Puerto Madryn?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Madryn and Piriapolis 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 dayPiriapolis $23Puerto Madryn $5.69
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Piriapolis $5.89Puerto Madryn $5.77
Typical Entertainment Prices in Puerto Madryn
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Puerto Madryn are as follows:
-
Whale Watching for Two$0.35
Tours and Activities in Puerto Madryn
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Madryn are as follows:
- Excursion to Punta Loma and Puerto Madryn for Cruisers: $60
- Kayaking adventure in Puerto Madryn: $60
- Shore Excursion: Punta Loma+City Tour, for cruise passengers: $70
- From City and Punta Loma Tour: $70
- Punta Loma Shore Excursion with City tour: $75
- Punta Loma Excursion for Cruise Passengers: $75
- Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience - optional Whale Watching : $87
- Full Day Punta Tombo - Walking Among Penguins Experience - Madryn: $87
- Punta Tombo Tour, the Penguin Experience: $90
- Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience: $90
- Shore Excursion Punta Loma Sea Lions Reserve Including Puerto Madryn City Tour : $95
- Wonderful Punta Tombo Penguin Rookery Tour : $100
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPiriapolis $8.11Puerto Madryn $3.13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Piriapolis and Puerto Madryn, we can see that Piriapolis is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Madryn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Puerto Madryn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Madryn 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 Piriapolis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Piriapolis than you might in Puerto Madryn.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Piriapolis Expensive? and Is Puerto Madryn Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Piriapolis or Puerto Madryn?
Puerto Madryn has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Piriapolis. When comparing the sizes of Piriapolis and Puerto Madryn, 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 Piriapolis or Puerto Madryn?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Piriapolis or Puerto Madryn in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Piriapolis and Puerto Madryn.
Piriapolis is around the same temperature as Puerto Madryn in the summer. The daily temperature in Piriapolis averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
In January, Piriapolis usually receives more rain than Puerto Madryn. Piriapolis gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryPiriapolis 23°C (73°F)Puerto Madryn 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Piriapolis or Puerto Madryn in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Piriapolis as well as Puerto Madryn.
In the autumn, Piriapolis is a little warmer than Puerto Madryn. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Piriapolis in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Puerto Madryn averages at about 14°C (58°F).
Piriapolis usually gets more rain in April than Puerto Madryn. Piriapolis gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures AprilPiriapolis 17°C (63°F)Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Piriapolis or Puerto Madryn in the Winter?
Both Puerto Madryn and Piriapolis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
In July, Piriapolis is generally a little warmer than Puerto Madryn. Daily temperatures in Piriapolis average around 10°C (50°F), and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
It's quite sunny in Puerto Madryn. Piriapolis usually receives less sunshine than Puerto Madryn during winter. Piriapolis gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Madryn receives 209 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Piriapolis usually receives more rain than Puerto Madryn. Piriapolis gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JulyPiriapolis 10°C (50°F)Puerto Madryn 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Piriapolis or Puerto Madryn in the Spring?
Both Puerto Madryn and Piriapolis during the spring are popular places to visit.
Piriapolis is a little warmer than Puerto Madryn in the spring. The daily temperature in Piriapolis averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
Piriapolis usually gets more rain in October than Puerto Madryn. Piriapolis gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures OctoberPiriapolis 16°C (61°F)Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Madryn and Piriapolis
| Piriapolis | Puerto Madryn | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 12 mm (0.5 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.