Which place is cheaper, Valparaiso 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Puerto Madryn or Valparaiso?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Valparaiso? 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 Valparaiso?
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.
Valparaiso
Valparaiso, often referred to as Valpo, is an attractive city on the Pacific Coast in Chile. The city has a population of about 300,000 and is only 120 kilometers west of Santiago. The city's main industries aside from tourism include shipping and petroleum refining.
Valparaiso is popular with travelers because of its bohemian culture and brightly colored homes. It also offers some wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Although the city is short on specific sights, the atmosphere and beautiful setting make it a wonderful place to visit.
Valparaiso has a mild Mediterranean climate that is comparable to San Francisco or Santa Barbara. The summer is dry but fog is common year around. Rain can be heavy during the winter season and snow falls occasionally in the highest parts of the city. Winds can also be strong during the winter months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in Argentina, The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
-
Puerto Madryn Prices
Argentina PricesValparaiso Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Madryn $61Valparaiso $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Madryn is $61, while the average daily cost in Valparaiso is $82. 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 Valparaiso in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Madryn $41Valparaiso $36
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Madryn $82Valparaiso $72
Compare Hotels in Puerto Madryn and Valparaiso
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Madryn or Valparaiso? 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 Valparaiso Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Madryn $2.53Valparaiso $4.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Madryn
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:
- From Punta Tombo Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $138
- Puerto Madryn Airport Private Transfer: $216
- Trelew Airport Shuttle Transfer To Puerto Madryn : $42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Valparaiso
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Valparaiso are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$3.14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valparaiso
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valparaiso:
- Private Transfer from Viña Del Mar or Valparaiso City Hotel To Santiago City: $89
- Private Transfer from Valparaiso Hotel or port To Santiago Airport or Hotel: $110
- Transfers from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to Santiago: $120
- Private transfer from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to San Antonio : $133
- Small group transfer from Valparaiso/S.Antonio+Tour in Santiago: $140
- Valparaiso to Santiago Private Transfer or Santiago to Valparaiso: $142
- Private Transfer Viña del Mar to Santiago Airport: $170
- Private Transfer from Valparaiso Cruise Port to Santiago Hotels: $208
- Private Transfer from Viña del Mar to Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport: $259
- Private Valparaiso Visit William Cole Winery & Transfer to Hotel: $270
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Madryn or Valparaiso?
Prices for flights to both Valparaiso 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 dayPuerto Madryn $7.60Valparaiso $38
Typical Food Prices in Valparaiso
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Valparaiso:
-
Empanada$1.88
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valparaiso
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valparaiso.
- Cooking Classes in Viña del Mar Learn to Make Tapas and Desserts: $65
- Learn to Cook Like a Local: Private Cooking Class in a Viña del Mar Home: $102
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Madryn $45Valparaiso $18
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Valparaiso
Here are a few typical costs in Valparaiso for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Boat Tour$4.19
Tours and Activities in Valparaiso
Here are a few actual costs in Valparaiso for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- The Tour of Valparaiso in French on foot and in a small group: $18
- Shared Tour in Street Art, Funiculars and Port: $30
- Valparaiso Private Walking Tour with a Local: $32
- 2 Hour Walking Tour in Valparaiso: $35
- Valparaiso : Private Custom Tour with A Guide (Private Tour): $36
- Guided Panoramic Tour in Valparaíso: $40
- Famous Viña del Mar! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $40
- Famous Valparaíso! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $40
- Walking Tour Valparaiso, History & Art - Private Optional: $42
- Explore Valparaíso and Viña del Mar Tour: $58
- Private Gastronomic Tour Valparaiso: $70
- Valpo in 1 day: Authentic + Famous! Semi-private walking tour & public transport: $80
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Madryn $12Valparaiso $7.78
Typical Alcohol Prices in Valparaiso
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Valparaiso are as follows:
-
Beer$0.99
Sample the Local Flavors in Valparaiso
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Valparaiso:
- Private Wine Tour in Valparaiso: $250
- Santiago: Valparaíso Walking Tour & Casablanca Wine Tasting: $320
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Madryn and Valparaiso, we can see that Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Madryn or Valparaiso?
Valparaiso has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Puerto Madryn. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Madryn and Valparaiso, 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.