Which place is cheaper, Lake Titicaca (Puno) or Pucon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Pucon or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
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.
Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Lake Titicaca, which directly translates to "puma stone" in Quechua, is located high in the Andes Mountains straddling Peru and Bolivia, with about 60% of the lake in Peru and 40% in Bolivia. Among the lake are three main islands, the most popular of which are the Uros Islands, also known as the floating islands, where the Uros people live on totora reeds that grow in the lake.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Chile, The Best Photography Tours in Peru, and The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Peru.
-
Pucon Prices
Chile PricesLake Titicaca (Puno) Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPucon $127Lake Titicaca (Puno) $70
The average daily cost (per person) in Pucon is $127, while the average daily cost in Lake Titicaca (Puno) is $70. 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPucon $43Lake Titicaca (Puno) $28
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPucon $86Lake Titicaca (Puno) $56
Compare Hotels in Pucon and Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Looking for a hotel in Pucon or Lake Titicaca (Puno)? 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: Lake Titicaca (Puno) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pucon $19Lake Titicaca (Puno) $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:
- Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport (ZCO): $84
- Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $98
- Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $267
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
-
Taxi$0.86
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
- Juliaca Airport Shared Transfer to/from Puno: $20
- Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay, English Speaking Driver: $229
- Private Transfer from Inca Manco Capac (JUL) Airport to Puno: $97
- Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno Plaza de Armas: $40
- Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $50
- Private Transfer from Puerto de Puno to Hotel Puno: $23
- Private Transfer from Puno to Desaguadero: $212
- Private Transfer from Puno to Frontera Kasani: $222
- Private Transfer from Puno to Inca Manco Capac (JUL) Airport: $97
- Private transfer airport-puno-viceverse: $60
- Private transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $47
- Puno Arrival Transfer from bus or railway Station: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Pucon or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Prices for flights to both Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 dayPucon $65Lake Titicaca (Puno) $28
Typical Food Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
-
Tamales$1.58
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pucon $37Lake Titicaca (Puno) $31
Tours and Activities in Pucon
Here are a few actual costs in Pucon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour in Self-drive Electric Hot Tub Boat Nestled in nature!: $78
- Geometric Thermal Tour with Pickup and Tickets: $120
- Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $124
- Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $125
Tours and Activities in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
- Uros Floating Island Tour: $10
- 3-Hour Uros Floating Islands Tour from Puno: $13
- Half-Day Tour to the Floating Islands of Uros: $14
- Half Day Tour Floating Islands of Uros Puno: $15
- Half Day Tour to Sillustani from Puno : $22
- Lake Titicaca Uros Floating Islands Half-Day Tour: $25
- Chullpas de Sillustani Inca Cemetery Tour by Tourist Bus: $26
- Uros and Taquile Islands From Puno Full Day Tour with Lunch: $30
- Tour Uros and Taquile Islands in Speedboat (full day): $31
- Puno City Tour: $31
- Half Day Tour to Chullpas de Sillustani From Puno: $35
- Tour to Uros and Taquile Islands in a Fast Boat: $37
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPucon $27Lake Titicaca (Puno) $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pucon and Lake Titicaca (Puno), we can see that Pucon is more expensive. And not only is Lake Titicaca (Puno) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lake Titicaca (Puno) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Pucon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pucon than you might in Lake Titicaca (Puno).
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pucon Expensive? and Is Lake Titicaca (Puno) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pucon or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Lake Titicaca (Puno) has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pucon. When comparing the sizes of Pucon and Lake Titicaca (Puno), 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.
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.