Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Puerto Montt?
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 Montt or Arequipa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Puerto Montt and Arequipa 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: Puerto Montt or Arequipa?
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.
Arequipa
Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
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Puerto Montt Prices
Chile PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Montt $107Arequipa $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Montt is $107, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $62. 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 Montt and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Montt $63Arequipa $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Montt $126Arequipa $50
Compare Hotels in Puerto Montt and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Montt or Arequipa? 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 Montt Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Montt $6.60Arequipa $6.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Montt
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Montt:
- Private Transfer from Puerto Airport (PMC) to Puerto Montt Port: $56
- Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $80
- Puerto Airport (PMC) to Frutillar - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $147
- Puerto Montt - Puerto Varas Airport English private transfer: $50
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Arrival Transfer: $41
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Round-Trip Transfer: $112
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Round-Trip Transfer: $82
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas City- Arrival Transfer: $56
- Puerto Montt Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel: $25
- Puerto Montt Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel in Puerto Varas: $24
- Puerto Montt Departure Transfer from Hotel: $23
- Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) to Pucon - Arrival Transfer: $261
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$1.47
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Bus Ride$0.47
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Taxi Ride$1.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- Arequipa Airport Arrival Transfer: $13
- Private Transfer from Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport to Hotel: $20
- transfer Airport - Hotel: $21
- Arequipa Airport Departure Transfer: $22
- Arequipa Airport (AQP) Private Transfer to Arequipa City: $23
- Arequipa Bus Station Arrival Transfer: $37
- Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport: $37
- Arequipa Airport Private Transfer: $38
- Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
- Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $78
- Colca Canyon full day tour with transfer to Puno: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Montt or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Puerto Montt 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 Montt $38Arequipa $26
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
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Coke$0.44
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Lunch$3.09
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Ice Cream$1.18
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Fruit$0.88
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Ice Cream$1.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
- Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
- Cooking Class at La Plantation: $36
- Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $63
- Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour: $79
- Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
- Food Tour Gastronomic Guided: $119
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Montt $14Arequipa $20
Tours and Activities in Puerto Montt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Montt are as follows:
- Puerto Varas: Half-Day City Tour, Puerto Montt Included: $33
- Half day Llanquihue and Frutillar City tour: $48
- Tour Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Jumps in Spanish: $68
- Classic Chiloe Tour: $68
- Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls Guided Tour: $69
- Shore Excursion: Osorno Volcano Private Tour from Puerto Montt: $70
- Private Tour of Puerto Montt with Stops: $82
- Explore Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Montt: $84
- Calbuco Island & Ancient Arrayán Forest Tour from Puerto Varas: $89
- Check out the Essential City Tour of Puerto Montt & Puerto Varas: $90
- Alerce Andino National Park/Alerce Millenario/Cruises: $105
- Cruises from the Puerto Montt cruise port: Petrohué Falls + Osorno Volcano and Puerto Varas: $120
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Monastery Entry$2.94
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Salsa Class$2.94
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Movie Ticket$3.21
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Hot Springs$2.94
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Arequipa Walking Tour city center and drinks experience: $10
- Arequipa Tasting Tour: $13
- Tour to La Ruta del Sillar and Culesbrillas in Arequipa: $15
- Full Day Tour Sillar Route and Culebrillas Canyon Arequipa: $18
- Countryside Tour Arequipa: $18
- Chili River White Water Rafting Adventure with Pickup: $18
- Rafting in Arequipa Chili River Half Day Tour: $18
- Sillar Route and Culebrillas Tour Culture and Nature in Arequipa: $19
- Rafting in Arequipa Chili River Half day Tour: $20
- City Tour Arequipa: $20
- Sillar Route and Culebrillas Gorge Tour from Arequipa: $20
- Koh Rong Tour: A Snorkeling, Fishing, Sunset, Plankton: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Montt $4.62Arequipa $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
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Beer$2.65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Montt and Arequipa, we can see that Puerto Montt is more expensive. And not only is Arequipa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Arequipa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arequipa 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 Arequipa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Puerto Montt Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Montt or Arequipa?
Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Puerto Montt. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Montt and Arequipa, 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.