Which place is cheaper, Castro or Puerto Natales?
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 Natales or Castro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Puerto Natales and Castro can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Puerto Natales or Castro?
Puerto Natales
Puerto Natales is a beautiful town located in the Chilean Patagonia on the Senoret Channel. The city is often used as a base camp for trips to the surrounding national parks due to their plentiful restaurant options and access to internet. Puerto Natales is also known for being the base city to the Torres del Paine National Park, which was named the 5th most beautiful place in the world by National Geographic.
Castro
The capital of Chiloe, modern and dynamic, has succeeded in keeping its authenticity even though it now has many gigantic supermarkets, hotels and other touristic infrastructures. It is located on the island's eastern coast, halfway between Ancud in the north and Quellon in the south, and is a convenient base for exploring the stunning sites in the region of Chiloe Island. The tourist information is located on the town square in front of the church.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Chile, The Best Budget Tours to Chile, The Best Tours for Seniors to Chile, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile.
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Puerto Natales Prices
Chile PricesCastro Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Natales $105Castro $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Natales is $105, while the average daily cost in Castro is $114. 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 Natales and Castro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Natales $38Castro $37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Natales $76Castro $74
Compare Hotels in Puerto Natales and Castro
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Natales or Castro? 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 Natales Hotel Prices and Castro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Natales $19Castro $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Natales
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Natales:
- Puerto Natales Airport Private Transfer: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Castro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Castro:
- Castro Airport Private Transfer in Chiloe: $53
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Natales or Castro?
Prices for flights to both Castro and Puerto Natales 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 Natales $48Castro $62
Typical Food Prices in Puerto Natales
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Puerto Natales:
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Cake$1.05
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Dinner$18
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Coke$1.05
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Natales $29Castro $21
Tours and Activities in Puerto Natales
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Natales for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Full Day Guided Tour in Torres del Paine and Milodon Cave: $80
- Full day tour Torres del Paine: $86
- Full Day Tour to Torres del Paine National Park: $92
- Torres del Paine & Milodon cave day tour from Puerto Natales : $92
- Full Day Patagonia Tour from Puerto Natales: $95
- Full Day Torres del Paine Tour: $99
- Full-Day Tour Torres del Paine National Park from Puerto Natales: $116
- Full-Day Tour to Perito Moreno Glacier (Natales): $120
- Start your adventure in Puerto Natales: $132
- Half Day Boat Tour to Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers: $155
- Full-Day Tour of Torres del Paine National Park from Puerto Natales: $156
- Fjord electric bike tour, full day: $176
Tours and Activities in Castro
Here are a few actual costs in Castro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Castro Sightseeing Tour in Chiloe: $58
- Coastal Nature Adventure in Chiloe: $102
- Bosque Piedra Reserve Tour: $106
- Dalcahue and Quinchao Island Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $141
- Pier of Light Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $170
- Chiloé: UNESCO Wooden Churches Full-Day Tour: $176
- Lemuy Island Tour from Castro: $178
- Lemuy Island in Chiloe Full Day Private Tour: $185
- Dock of Souls Trekking in Chiloe Private Tour: $202
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Natales $17Castro $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Puerto Natales
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Puerto Natales:
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Alcohol$13
When comparing the travel costs between Puerto Natales and Castro, we can see that Castro is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Puerto Natales Expensive? and Is Castro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Natales or Castro?
Castro has a larger population, and is about 50% larger than the population of Puerto Natales. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Natales and Castro, 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.