A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pucon vs. La Paz for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pucon or La Paz?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pucon and La Paz 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: Pucon or La Paz?

Pucon

A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.

Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.

La Paz

La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It has a population of about 215,000 people and is a significant commercial center for the region. The city has a good economy and a high standard of living when compared to much of Mexico. Much of the economy is focused on eco-tourism and there are many protected marine environments in the area.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, The Best Luxury Tours to Chile, The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, La Paz or Pucon?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Pucon is $100, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $118. 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 Pucon and La Paz in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pucon $43
    La Paz $52
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pucon $86
    La Paz $104
Compare Hotels in Pucon and La Paz

Looking for a hotel in Pucon or La Paz? 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 Pucon


Hotels in La Paz


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: La Paz Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pucon $19
    La Paz $22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:

  • Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $49
  • Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $114
  • Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz

Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Paz:

  • La Paz Airport to Costa Baja Private Roundtrip Transfer: $89
  • La Paz Airport: Private Roundtrip Transfer to La Ventan: $259
  • La Paz Int. Airport (LAP): Private Transfer to La Paz hotels: $174
  • Roundtrip Transfer to La Paz International Airport: $73
  • Private Transfer from La Paz to Cabo San Lucas: $240

Is it cheaper to fly into Pucon or La Paz?

Prices for flights to both La Paz and Pucon 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
    Pucon $38
    La Paz $38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz

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

  • 4 Hours of Guided La Paz Street Food Tour: $81

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pucon $37
    La Paz $13

Tours and Activities in Pucon

Here are a few actual costs in Pucon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 3-Hour Rafting Experience in Pucon: $60
  • Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
  • Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93
  • Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
  • Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
  • Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
  • Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
  • Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177

Tours and Activities in La Paz

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

  • Transparent Boat Tour with Mushroom Rock: $64
  • Pearls of Pearl Farm Experience: $64
  • Half Day Sandboarding and Paddleboarding Experience in La Paz: $81
  • Unique Mexican Spirits Tasting & Pairing Experience: $85
  • Sunset Sandboarding at La Paz Dunes Tour: $89
  • City Tour & Beaches from La Paz: $91
  • Supercombo 2-Day City Tour: $105
  • Half Day Private Tour of the Beaches of La Paz: $113
  • From Los Cabos: City Tour La Paz, Balandra and Todos Santos: $115
  • holy spirit island tour: $116
  • Los Cabos Tour from La Paz: $119
  • Snorkel Tour with Whale Shark in La Paz: $119

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pucon $27
    La Paz $12


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pucon and La Paz, we can see that La Paz is more expensive. And not only is Pucon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pucon is in South America and La Paz is in North 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 Pucon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pucon 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 La Paz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Paz than you might in Pucon.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pucon Expensive? and Is La Paz Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Pucon or La Paz?

La Paz has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Pucon. When comparing the sizes of Pucon and La Paz, 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 Pucon or La Paz?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Pucon is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but La Paz has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Pucon or La Paz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pucon and La Paz. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to La Paz this time of year.

In the summer, Pucon is much colder than La Paz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pucon in January average around 16°C (61°F), and La Paz averages at about 30°C (86°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. In Pucon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pucon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as La Paz during summer. Pucon gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Pucon usually receives more rain than La Pazin July. Pucon gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Pucon 16°C (61°F) 
    La Paz 30°C (86°F)

Should I visit Pucon or La Paz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Pucon as well as La Paz. Additionally, many travelers come to La Paz for the shopping scene.

In April, Pucon is generally much colder than La Pazin October. Daily temperatures in Pucon average around 11°C (52°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. In the autumn, Pucon often gets less sunshine than La Pazin October. Pucon gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 272 hours of full sun.

Pucon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pucon usually gets more rain in April than La Pazin October. Pucon gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Pucon 11°C (52°F) 
    La Paz 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Pucon or La Paz in the Winter?

Both La Paz and Pucon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to La Paz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Pucon is much colder than La Paz in the winter. The daily temperature in Pucon averages around 7°C (45°F) in July, and La Paz fluctuates around 18°C (65°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in La Paz. Pucon usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during winter. Pucon gets 66 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Pucon. In July, Pucon usually receives more rain than La Pazin January. Pucon gets 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Pucon 7°C (45°F) 
    La Paz 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Pucon or La Paz in the Spring?

Both La Paz and Pucon during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to La Paz for the beaches during these months.

In the spring, Pucon is much colder than La Paz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pucon in October average around 11°C (52°F), and La Paz averages at about 23°C (73°F)in April.

In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Pucon often gets less sunshine than La Pazin April. Pucon gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 292 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. Pucon usually gets more rain in October than La Pazin April. Pucon gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Pucon 11°C (52°F) 
    La Paz 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for La Paz and Pucon

Pucon La Paz
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 16°C (61°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 18°C (65°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 17°C (62°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Mar 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 20°C (69°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 133 mm (5.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in)
May 9°C (48°F) 295 mm (11.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Jun 8°C (46°F) 297 mm (11.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Jul 7°C (45°F) 312 mm (12.3 in) 30°C (86°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Aug 8°C (46°F) 247 mm (9.7 in) 30°C (87°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Sep 9°C (48°F) 162 mm (6.4 in) 30°C (85°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Oct 11°C (52°F) 109 mm (4.3 in) 27°C (80°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Dec 16°C (60°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 20°C (67°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)