A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Puerto Madryn vs. Easter Island for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Puerto Madryn or Easter Island?

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

Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Easter Island? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Puerto Madryn or Easter Island?

Puerto Madryn

Puerto Madryn is mostly known as the gateway to Peninsula Valdes, welcoming tourists who come for whale watching. The Peninsula Valdes is a nature reserve designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site; 97 km long and 63 km wide, it is connected to the continent by an isthmus of 35 km from which we can see both gulfs, San Jose at north and the Nuevo at south.

Easter Island

Although Easter Island is considered a territory of Chile, it is actually located far out in the Pacific, almost halfway to Tahiti. Easter Island is well known, despite being one of the most isolated islands on Earth, because of the mysterious giant stone busts which date back centuries. There are 887 monumental statues, called moai, that were built by the Rapa Nui people. There remains much mystery around the historic Polynesian culture which created the stones, as well as the specific meaning for them.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Argentina, The Best 3-Week Tours in Argentina, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Easter Island or Puerto Madryn?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Madryn is $14, while the average daily cost in Easter Island is $80. 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 Puerto Madryn and Easter Island in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Puerto Madryn $5.25
    Easter Island $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Puerto Madryn $11
    Easter Island $88
Compare Hotels in Puerto Madryn and Easter Island

Looking for a hotel in Puerto Madryn or Easter Island? 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 Puerto Madryn


Hotels in Easter Island


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: Puerto Madryn Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Puerto Madryn $3.28
    Easter Island $2.59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Madryn

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:

  • Trelew Airport Shuttle Transfer To Puerto Madryn : $47
  • From Punta Tombo Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $131

Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Madryn or Easter Island?

Prices for flights to both Easter Island and Puerto Madryn 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
    Puerto Madryn $5.69
    Easter Island $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Easter Island

For Easter Island, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Dinner, Show and Traditional Curanto Te Ra'ai Cultural Experience: $120
  • Rapa Nui Dinner Show on Easter Island: $153

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Puerto Madryn $5.77
    Easter Island $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Puerto Madryn

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Puerto Madryn are as follows:


  • Whale Watching for Two
    $0.35

Tours and Activities in Puerto Madryn

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

  • 4 x 4 experience around Puerto Madryn: $100
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Ea San Lorenzo Peninsula Valdes - Patagonia - Argentina: $229
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Peninsula Valdes - Pto Madryn - Patagonia - Argentina: $119
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Punta Tombo - Tickets included - Puerto Madryn Patagonia: $129
  • Excursion to Punta Loma and Puerto Madryn for Cruisers: $60
  • From City and Punta Loma Tour: $70
  • From Florentino Ameghino Dam Day Tour: $194
  • From Penguin Tour & Península Valdés Day Trip: $152
  • From Valdes Peninsula Full-Day Tour: $130
  • Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience: $90
  • Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience - optional Whale Watching : $87
  • Full Day Punta Tombo - Walking Among Penguins Experience - Madryn: $105

Typical Entertainment Prices in Easter Island

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Easter Island's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Bike Rental
    $8.38

Tours and Activities in Easter Island

For Easter Island, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Full Day Tour in Rapa Nui: $70
  • Full Day Hotu Matua Tour from Vaihu to Anakena: $70
  • Orongo, Ahu Vinapu and Rano Kau Half Day Tour: $91
  • Easter Island Moai Archaeology Tour: Ahu Akivi, Ahu Tahai and Puna Pauâ Quarry.: $91
  • Full Day Tour in Rapa Nui National Park, Easter Island: $97
  • Private Sunrise Tour at 15 Moai Tongariki Park: $120
  • Full day tour - DREAM: $120
  • The Rapa Nui Stargazing Experience : $125
  • Private Tour: Tongariki Sunrise Experience: $125
  • Tour to the Motus: Boat trip and snorkeling in Rapa Nui: $149
  • Terevaka Private Tour to the highest point of Rapa Nui: $150
  • Rapa Nui: Private Tour "The Legend of the BirdMan": $150

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Puerto Madryn $3.13
    Easter Island $5.34


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

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


Which is Bigger, Puerto Madryn or Easter Island?

Puerto Madryn has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Easter Island. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Madryn and Easter Island, 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 Puerto Madryn or Easter Island?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Easter Island in the Summer?

Both Easter Island and Puerto Madryn during the summer are popular places to visit.

In the summer, Puerto Madryn is around the same temperature as Easter Island. Typically, the summer temperatures in Puerto Madryn in January average around 22°C (71°F), and Easter Island averages at about 24°C (74°F).

Puerto Madryn usually gets less rain in January than Easter Island. Puerto Madryn gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Puerto Madryn 22°C (71°F) 
    Easter Island 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Easter Island in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto Madryn and Easter Island.

In April, Puerto Madryn is generally much colder than Easter Island. Daily temperatures in Puerto Madryn average around 14°C (58°F), and Easter Island fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Easter Island receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Puerto Madryn usually receives less rain than Easter Island. Puerto Madryn gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F) 
    Easter Island 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Easter Island in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Puerto Madryn as well as Easter Island.

Puerto Madryn is much colder than Easter Island in the winter. The daily temperature in Puerto Madryn averages around 7°C (45°F) in July, and Easter Island fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Puerto Madryn this time of the year. In the winter, Puerto Madryn often gets more sunshine than Easter Island. Puerto Madryn gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Easter Island receives 148 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Easter Island. Puerto Madryn usually gets less rain in July than Easter Island. Puerto Madryn gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Puerto Madryn 7°C (45°F) 
    Easter Island 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Easter Island in the Spring?

Both Easter Island and Puerto Madryn are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Puerto Madryn is cooler than Easter Island. Typically, the spring temperatures in Puerto Madryn in October average around 14°C (58°F), and Easter Island averages at about 20°C (67°F).

In October, Puerto Madryn usually receives less rain than Easter Island. Puerto Madryn gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F) 
    Easter Island 20°C (67°F)

Typical Weather for Easter Island and Puerto Madryn

Puerto Madryn Easter Island
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (71°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 24°C (74°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Feb 21°C (69°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 24°C (75°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Mar 18°C (64°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Apr 14°C (58°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
May 10°C (51°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) 20°C (69°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Jun 7°C (45°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 19°C (67°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Jul 7°C (45°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 18°C (65°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Aug 9°C (48°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 19°C (65°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Sep 11°C (53°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 14°C (58°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 20°C (67°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Nov 18°C (64°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 21°C (69°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 20°C (68°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)