A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Piriapolis vs. Santiago for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Piriapolis?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Piriapolis is $67, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $141. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Piriapolis $27
    Santiago $110
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Piriapolis $54
    Santiago $220
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.

Hotels in Piriapolis


Hotels in Santiago


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Piriapolis $31
    Santiago $5.41

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:


  • Metro Ride
    $1.13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
  • Arturo Merino Benítez Intl Airport: Shared Transfer: $24
  • Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Business Car: $67
  • Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Luxury Van: $84
  • Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
  • From Farellones/Valle Nevado Roundtrip Transfer: $35
  • From Valle Nevado and Farellones with Transfer: $71
  • Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
  • Private Round Trip Transfer on Santiago Of Chile City: $55
  • Private Santiago Hotel or Airport Arrival Transfer to Viña del Mar or Valparaiso: $95
  • Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier or Valparaiso Pier : $251
  • Private Transfer From The Hotel in Santiago City To the Airport: $29

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Piriapolis $23
    Santiago $13

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:


  • Empanada
    $1.89
  • Hamburger
    $2.50
  • Dinner
    $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago

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

  • Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $45
  • Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $92
  • Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
  • Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $117
  • Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
  • Private Tour: Santiago at Night with Dinner and Show: $131
  • Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $131
  • 4-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner and Show: $150
  • Private Dinner and Show with Transfers: $158
  • Traditional Chilean Cooking Class with a Local in Her Santiago Countryside Home: $168

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Piriapolis $5.89
    Santiago $47

Tours and Activities in Santiago

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:

  • Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
  • Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
  • Cable Car Admission Ticket: $15
  • La Paz from the Heights: Walking tour and Three Telefericos.: $20
  • Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $23
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
  • Skip the Line: Concha y Toro Traditional Tour Ticket: $25
  • Walking tour through Santiago: $26
  • From Valle Nevado and Farellones Small Group Tour: $29
  • History Walking Tour in Chile: $29
  • Half Day tradicional city Tour: $30
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $33

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Piriapolis $8.11
    Santiago $8.41

Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago

Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $37
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
  • Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
  • Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $62
  • Undurraga Wine tour: $63
  • Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
  • From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
  • Private Tour: Undurraga Vineyard Experience with Premium Wine Tasting: $92
  • half day wine tour to concha y toro from Santiago seasonal offer: $95
  • From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $99
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
  • Private Tour: Viña del Mar and Valparaíso Tour with Wine Tasting in Casablanca Valley: $143


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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Piriapolis 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Piriapolis 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Piriapolis 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Piriapolis 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)