Which place is cheaper, Ensenada 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 Ensenada?
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 Ensenada can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Puerto Natales or Ensenada?
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.
Ensenada
Ensenada is on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, south of Tijuana. It's the only deep water port in the state of Baja California and as such, it is an important commerical fishing port as well as a cruise ship destination. The city has a population of almost 500,000 and is located just 78 miles south of San Diego. The city sits between the ocean and a small mountain range. The surrounding area is known for its wine production, which produces some of the best wine in Mexico.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Chile, The Best Budget Tours to Chile, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.
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Puerto Natales Prices
Chile PricesEnsenada Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Natales $105Ensenada $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Natales is $105, while the average daily cost in Ensenada is $115. 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 Ensenada in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Natales $38Ensenada $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Natales $76Ensenada $84
Compare Hotels in Puerto Natales and Ensenada
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Natales or Ensenada? 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 Ensenada Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Natales $19Ensenada $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Natales
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Natales:
- Private Transfer Airport x Hotels inside the TORRES DEL PAINE Park: $100
- Private Transfer: From Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales: $422
- Private transfer Airport x Lodging (Puerto Natales): $25
- Puerto Natales Airport Private Transfer: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ensenada
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ensenada:
- Border and Tijuana Airport Transfers to Ensenada or Valle de Guadalupe: $125
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Natales or Ensenada?
Prices for flights to both Ensenada 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 $48Ensenada $61
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ensenada
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ensenada.
- Mexican Cooking Class at Hacienda Eco-Domes | Valle de Guadalupe: $84
- Tacos and Margaritas Food Tour in Ensenada Mexico: $85
- Cooking Class and Margarita Madness at Valle de Guadalupe : $89
- Surprises, Delights and Joys Ensenada Wine, Mezcal, and Food Tour: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Natales $29Ensenada $9.79
Tours and Activities in Puerto Natales
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Natales for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City Bike Tour through Puerto Natales: $65
- Historical Tour: $65
- Full-Day Torres del Paine Tour: $77
- Full Day Guided Tour in Torres del Paine and Milodon Cave: $80
- Torres del Paine Full Day Tour: $80
- Cerro Dorotea 8x8 Tour with Panoramic Views: $80
- Torres del Paine Park Full-Day Tour from Puerto Natales: $83
- Torres del Paine : Full day Panoramic Tour: $83
- Torres del Paine Full Day Tour: $85
- 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
Tours and Activities in Ensenada
Here are a few actual costs in Ensenada for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- La Bufadora Punta Banda Tour: $38
- La Bufadora Tour in Baja California: $42
- Las Cañadas Campamento Horseback Riding Experience: $44
- The Bufadora private Tour: $49
- Tacos, Brews and Views Tour : $50
- Full Day Private Tour or Guadalupe Valley Weekend: $52
- Tacos, Tequila, Cerveza - A Private Tour of Ensenada: $53
- Las Cañadas Canopy Tour in Ensenada: $53
- Valle de Guadalupe Adults Only Tour: $56
- Explore Ensenada with Private Car and Walking Tour: $65
- Private Massage Experience in Ensenada: $65
- Las Canadas Ecopark and Bufadora private tour : $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Natales $17Ensenada $9.98
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Ensenada
Also in Ensenada, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tasting Experience in Maglén: $27
- Tractor Pull Around Vineyards and Wine Tasting Tour: $56
- Private Ensenada Tacos and Wine Tour : $109
- Valle de Guadalupe Wine Experience: Wine Tastings Included: $112
- Valle de Guadalupe COUPLES wine tasting for 2: $135
- wine tours and driver service through valle de guadalupe, Ensenada B.C. Mexico: $145
- Pvt Wine Tastings + Cheese Store + Massage Shore Excursion: $149
- Wine Tasting Tour ONLY for Cruise Ship Visitors. ALL INCLUSIVE!: $221
- Private and custom group Wine tour Valle de Guadalupe : $238
When comparing the travel costs between Puerto Natales and Ensenada, we can see that Ensenada 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. Even though Puerto Natales is in South America and Ensenada is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Ensenada Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Natales or Ensenada?
Ensenada has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Puerto Natales. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Natales and Ensenada, 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.