Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Puerto Madryn?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Puerto Madryn or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Santiago? 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 Santiago?
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.
Santiago
Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.
Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in Argentina, The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
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Puerto Madryn Prices
Argentina PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Madryn $61Santiago $150
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Madryn is $61, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $150. 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 Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Madryn $41Santiago $109
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Madryn $82Santiago $218
Compare Hotels in Puerto Madryn and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Madryn or Santiago? 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: Puerto Madryn Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Madryn $2.53Santiago $5.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Madryn
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:
- Trelew Airport Shuttle Transfer To Puerto Madryn : $42
- From Punta Tombo Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $138
- Puerto Madryn Airport Private Transfer: $216
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
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Metro Ride$1.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Santiago Airport (SCL) Private Transfer to Multiple Destinations: $18
- Santiago de Chile Airport Private Transfer: $25
- Official Transfer to Concha y Toro Winery: $27
- Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $32
- Airport Private Transfer to/from Santiago de Chile: $40
- Transfer Santiago de Chile airport: $40
- Farellones Full Day Roundtrip Transfer: $40
- Private Transfer from Airport to Santiago, Chile : $43
- Santiago Int Airport (SCL) to Santiago - Arrival Private Transfer: $44
- Santiago to Santiago Airport (SCL) - Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $45
- Transfer to Snowy Valley fullday for skiers : $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Madryn or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago 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
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Food Meals for one dayPuerto Madryn $7.60Santiago $23
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.88
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Hamburger$2.50
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Dinner$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Legacy Family Tour Lunch or Dinner Pairing 4 Strokes: $40
- Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $82
- 4-Hour Boozy Chilean Cooking Class in Santiago: $85
- Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $106
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
- Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $116
- Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $122
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Bali Hai Polynesian Dinner Show with Transfer: $130
- Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $181
- Santiago Chilean and Peruvian Cooking Class with a Local Carol: $184
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Madryn $45Santiago $47
Tours and Activities in Puerto Madryn
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Madryn are as follows:
- Madryn Bike Tours. Punta Loma: sea lions, shipwrecks, and cliffs: $55
- El Doradillo Whale Watching Half-Day Tour from Puerto Madryn: $60
- Excursion to Punta Loma and Puerto Madryn for Cruisers: $60
- Shore Tour Punta Loma & city tour cruise passengers Puerto Madryn: $65
- Punta Loma & City Tour for Cruise Passengers: $65
- Puerto Madryn Punta Loma Shore Tour with Craft Beer Tasting: $70
- El Doradillo Whale Watching Half-Day Tour: $70
- Punta Loma Shore Excursion with City tour: $75
- Cruise Shore Punta Loma and city overview: $83
- Solo Ballenas - Share-Based Whale Watching and Guided Tour: $83
- Peninsula Valdes Full Day Tour: $90
- Punta Tombo Tour, the Penguin Experience: $90
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Official Tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago: $9.00
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
- Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $17
- A historical tour of Santiago, Chile: $18
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
- Santiago City Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $20
- Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $23
- Private Guided Walking Tour of the City Center: $24
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
- Yungay, Memory, Art, and Neighborhood Walking Tour: $25
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
- Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Madryn $12Santiago $8.40
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $34
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $63
- Undurraga Wine tour: $70
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $79
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with wine tasting in Casablanca: $79
- Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
- Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
- Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $89
- Kross Brewery Tour: A Craft Beer Tasting Experience: $93
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Madryn and Santiago, we can see that Santiago 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 Santiago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santiago 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 Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Madryn or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Puerto Madryn. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Madryn and Santiago, 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 Santiago?
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 Santiago in the Summer?
Both Santiago and Puerto Madryn are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In January, Puerto Madryn is generally around the same temperature as Santiago. Daily temperatures in Puerto Madryn average around 22°C (71°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In January, Puerto Madryn usually receives more rain than Santiago. Puerto Madryn gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryPuerto Madryn 22°C (71°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Santiago in the Autumn?
Both Santiago and Puerto Madryn during the autumn are popular places to visit.
Puerto Madryn is around the same temperature as Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Puerto Madryn averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Puerto Madryn usually gets more rain in April than Santiago. Puerto Madryn gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilPuerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Santiago in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto Madryn and Santiago.
In the winter, Puerto Madryn is cooler than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Puerto Madryn in July average around 7°C (45°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F).
In July, Puerto Madryn usually receives less rain than Santiago. Puerto Madryn gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyPuerto Madryn 7°C (45°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Santiago in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Puerto Madryn as well as Santiago.
In October, Puerto Madryn is generally around the same temperature as Santiago. Daily temperatures in Puerto Madryn average around 14°C (58°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Puerto Madryn usually gets more rain in October than Santiago. Puerto Madryn gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberPuerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Puerto Madryn
| Puerto Madryn | Santiago | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (71°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 21°C (69°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (64°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 10°C (51°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 7°C (45°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 7°C (45°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (48°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (53°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (58°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 18°C (64°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
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.