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

Should you visit Pucon or Paracas?

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 Paracas 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 Paracas?

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.

Paracas

Paracas, also known as El Chaco, is a resort town on the Southern coast of the country, about 150 miles south of Lima. The town in located in one of the oldest regions of Peru, with a history dating back to 900 BC and offers many pre-Inca cultural sites throughout the area. Paracas is possibly best known for being home to the Paracas National Reserve, a nature reserve boasting one of the most abundant and diverse ecosystems in the world.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Chile, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Paracas or Pucon?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Pucon Prices
    Chile Prices
    Paracas Prices
    Peru Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Pucon $127
    Paracas $84

The average daily cost (per person) in Pucon is $127, while the average daily cost in Paracas is $84. 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 Paracas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pucon $43
    Paracas $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pucon $86
    Paracas $48
Compare Hotels in Pucon and Paracas

Looking for a hotel in Pucon or Paracas? 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 Paracas


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: Paracas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pucon $19
    Paracas $20

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:

  • Paracas Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
  • Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
  • Private Transfer From San Juan Airport (SJU) to /from San Juan: $44
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $220
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $220

Is it cheaper to fly into Pucon or Paracas?

Prices for flights to both Paracas 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 $65
    Paracas $42

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pucon $37
    Paracas $26

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 Paracas

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

  • Paracas Desert Bike Adventure: $15
  • Ballestas Islands Group Tour from Paracas : $15
  • Ballestas Islands and Candelabro Boat Tour: $15
  • Ballestas Islands: Peru’s Natural Paradise boat tour: $16
  • BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $16
  • Ballestas Islands Guided Boat Tour: $17
  • speedboat BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $17
  • From Ballestas Islands tour all Inclusive: $17
  • Ballestas Islands tour all Inclusive: $18
  • Tours to Ballestas Islands by Speed Boat: $20
  • Tour Ballestas Islands: $20
  • Ballestas Islands Morning Boat Tour: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pucon $27
    Paracas $12


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pucon and Paracas, we can see that Pucon is more expensive. And not only is Paracas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Paracas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Paracas 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 Paracas.

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


Which is Bigger, Pucon or Paracas?

Pucon has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of Pucon and Paracas, 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.