Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Piriapolis?
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 Piriapolis or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Piriapolis or Santiago, 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 Santiago?
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.
Santiago
Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.
Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Piriapolis Prices
Uruguay PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPiriapolis $80Santiago $145
The average daily cost (per person) in Piriapolis is $80, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $145. 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 Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPiriapolis $26Santiago $105
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPiriapolis $52Santiago $210
Compare Hotels in Piriapolis and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Piriapolis or Santiago? 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 Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Piriapolis $30Santiago $5.21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
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Metro Ride$1.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Airport Transfer and Halfday City tour Santiago de Chile: $362
- Airport Transfer: Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago by Luxury Van: $102
- Airport Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $82
- Airport transfer between Santiago city center and Arturo Merino Benítez Airport: $51
- Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
- Arrival Transfer from Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago de Chile: $82
- Arrival Transfer: Airport SCL to Santiago by Luxury Van: $102
- City tour santiago with excursion to valparaiso and airport transfer: $150
- Cruise Terminal Transfer from Valparaíso & Wine Tasting: $129
- Departure Transfer Santiago de Chile to Santiago Airport SCL: $82
- Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $82
- Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Luxury Van: $102
Is it cheaper to fly into Piriapolis or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago 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
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Food Meals for one dayPiriapolis $38Santiago $22
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.82
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Hamburger$2.41
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Dinner$25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Legacy Family Tour Lunch or Dinner Pairing 4 Strokes: $40
- Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $56
- Best Santiago Street Food Tour with 4+ Tastings and Drink: $56
- Mercado Meals Santiago Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $59
- Mercado Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $60
- 4h Cooking Class in 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $77
- Food Tour STGO, Eat like Locals!: $99
- Local Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $99
- Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago: $107
- Casillero del Diablo Night Experience – Cellars, Wine & Dinner: $110
- Barrio Italia Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $119
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Piriapolis $5.65Santiago $46
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Official Tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago: $11
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $11
- Historical Sights Walking Tour: $15
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
- History Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $21
- Santiago Sightseeing Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $25
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
- Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $25
- Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $25
- City Tour Santiago - Walking Tour: $29
- Guided Walking Tour through the Historic Center: $30
- City Tour of Santiago, Chile: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPiriapolis $7.78Santiago $8.10
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- "Chile in Your Glass" Wine Tasting.: $22
- Cousiño Macul Heritage Wine Tour with Tastings: $25
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Beer and Welcome Shots: $25
- Tour Viña Santa Carolina in Santiago with 3 wine tasting: $45
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $55
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $61
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $65
- Valparaíso and Vineyard of the Sea with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $68
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $70
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $75
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Piriapolis and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Piriapolis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Piriapolis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Piriapolis 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 Santiago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santiago than you might in Piriapolis.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Piriapolis Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Piriapolis or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 610 times larger than the population of Piriapolis. When comparing the sizes of Piriapolis and Santiago, 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 Santiago?
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 Santiago in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Piriapolis and Santiago.
In January, Piriapolis is generally around the same temperature as Santiago. Daily temperatures in Piriapolis average around 23°C (73°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In January, Piriapolis usually receives more rain than Santiago. Piriapolis gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryPiriapolis 23°C (73°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Piriapolis or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Piriapolis as well as Santiago.
Piriapolis is a little warmer than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Piriapolis averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Piriapolis usually gets more rain in April than Santiago. Piriapolis gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilPiriapolis 17°C (63°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Piriapolis or Santiago in the Winter?
Both Santiago and Piriapolis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
In the winter, Piriapolis is a little warmer than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Piriapolis in July average around 10°C (50°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F).
In July, Piriapolis usually receives more rain than Santiago. Piriapolis gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyPiriapolis 10°C (50°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Piriapolis or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago and Piriapolis during the spring are popular places to visit.
In October, Piriapolis is generally around the same temperature as Santiago. Daily temperatures in Piriapolis average around 16°C (61°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Piriapolis usually gets more rain in October than Santiago. Piriapolis gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberPiriapolis 16°C (61°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Piriapolis
| Piriapolis | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.