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

Should you visit Puerto Madryn or Puerto Montt?

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

Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Puerto Montt? 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 Puerto Montt?

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.

Puerto Montt

The Lake District is a region of snow capped volcanoes, pale green lakes and endless miles of virgin and ancient forests. Found 1,016 km away from Santiago de Chile, Puerto Montt is famous for its beautiful lakes and its germanic architecture, old wooden houses and its legendary Iglesia Catedral, found on the town's main square, la Plaza de Armas. The monument, entirely built with alerce (cypress) wood, is the oldest building of the city. The capital of the Lake Region is a good starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.

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


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt is $87. 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 Puerto Montt in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Puerto Madryn $5.33
    Puerto Montt $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Puerto Madryn $11
    Puerto Montt $120
Compare Hotels in Puerto Madryn and Puerto Montt

Looking for a hotel in Puerto Madryn or Puerto Montt? 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 Puerto Montt


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 and Puerto Montt Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Puerto Madryn $3.33
    Puerto Montt $6.28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Madryn

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:

  • Trelew Airport Shuttle Transfer To Puerto Madryn : $36
  • From Punta Tombo Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $92

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Montt

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Montt:

  • Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
  • Puerto Tepual Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Arrival Transfer: $21
  • Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
  • Puerto Montt Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel in Puerto Varas: $24
  • Private Transfer from Puerto Airport (PMC) to Puerto Montt Port: $28
  • Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $28
  • Private Transfer from Puerto Airport (PMC) to Puerto Montt Port: $31
  • Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $31
  • Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas City- Arrival Transfer: $33
  • Puerto Montt Shuttle Transfer: $34
  • Puerto Airport (PMC) to Frutillar - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $42
  • Cruce Andino Office Private Transfer from Puerto Montt: $44

Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Madryn or Puerto Montt?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Montt 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 $5.78
    Puerto Montt $21

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Puerto Madryn $5.86
    Puerto Montt $13
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:

  • Kayaking adventure in Puerto Madryn: $60
  • Nautical tour with dolphin search in Puerto Madryn: $60
  • Excursion to Punta Loma and Puerto Madryn for Cruisers: $60
  • Private Diving Experience with Sea Lions in Punta Loma: $70
  • Shore Excursion: Punta Loma+City Tour, for cruise passengers: $70
  • From City Tour and Punta Loma Tour: $70
  • City Tour and Sea Lions at Punta Loma from Puerto Madryn: $75
  • Punta Loma Excursion for Cruise Passengers: $75
  • Punta Loma Shore Excursion with City tour: $75
  • Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience - optional Whale Watching : $87
  • Full Day Punta Tombo - Walking Among Penguins Experience - Madryn: $87
  • Punta Tombo Full Day Tour, Walking among Penguins - Regular service SIB: $88

Tours and Activities in Puerto Montt

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

  • Frutillar Tour: $31
  • Half day Llanquihue and Frutillar City tour : $44
  • Private Tour: Puerto Montt Sightseeing: $47
  • Frutillar & Llanquihue Tour from Puerto Montt: $50
  • Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls Guided Tour: $62
  • Osorno Volcano Tour+Petrohue Falls / Cruises / Spanish: $68
  • Alerce Andino National Park/Alerce Millenario/Cruises: $77
  • Excursion City tour Puerto Varas / Llanquihue and Frutillar: $77
  • Private. City Tour Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas: $92
  • Austral / Hornopiren Road Tour: $102
  • Frutillar & Llanquihue Private Tour from Puerto Montt: $118
  • 6 Hours Shared Tour in Calbuco and Millennial Forest : $130

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Puerto Madryn $3.18
    Puerto Montt $4.39


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Madryn and Puerto Montt, we can see that Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Puerto Madryn or Puerto Montt?

Puerto Montt has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Puerto Madryn. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Madryn and Puerto Montt, 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 Puerto Montt?

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 Puerto Madryn or Puerto Montt in the Summer?

Both Puerto Montt and Puerto Madryn are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In January, Puerto Madryn is generally a little warmer than Puerto Montt. Daily temperatures in Puerto Madryn average around 22°C (71°F), and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In January, Puerto Madryn usually receives less rain than Puerto Montt. Puerto Madryn gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Puerto Madryn 22°C (71°F) 
    Puerto Montt 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Puerto Montt in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Montt and Puerto Madryn during the autumn are popular places to visit.

Puerto Madryn is a little warmer than Puerto Montt in the autumn. The daily temperature in Puerto Madryn averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Puerto Montt gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Puerto Madryn usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Montt. Puerto Madryn gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F) 
    Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Puerto Montt in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto Madryn and Puerto Montt.

In the winter, Puerto Madryn is around the same temperature as Puerto Montt. Typically, the winter temperatures in Puerto Madryn in July average around 7°C (45°F), and Puerto Montt averages at about 7°C (45°F).

In Puerto Madryn, it's very sunny this time of the year. Puerto Madryn usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Montt during winter. Puerto Madryn gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Montt receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.

Puerto Montt receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, Puerto Madryn usually receives less rain than Puerto Montt. Puerto Madryn gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Puerto Madryn 7°C (45°F) 
    Puerto Montt 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Puerto Montt in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Puerto Madryn as well as Puerto Montt.

In October, Puerto Madryn is generally a little warmer than Puerto Montt. Daily temperatures in Puerto Madryn average around 14°C (58°F), and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It's quite rainy in Puerto Montt. Puerto Madryn usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Montt. Puerto Madryn gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F) 
    Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Puerto Montt and Puerto Madryn

Puerto Madryn Puerto Montt
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (71°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Feb 21°C (69°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Mar 18°C (64°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 13°C (55°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 14°C (58°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 11°C (51°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
May 10°C (51°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) 9°C (49°F) 234 mm (9.2 in)
Jun 7°C (45°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 224 mm (8.8 in)
Jul 7°C (45°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 7°C (45°F) 229 mm (9 in)
Aug 9°C (48°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 209 mm (8.2 in)
Sep 11°C (53°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 9°C (47°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Oct 14°C (58°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 11°C (51°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Nov 18°C (64°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 20°C (68°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 14°C (58°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)