Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Puerto Varas?
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 Varas 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 Varas 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 Varas or Arequipa?
Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas is a city in Southern Chile, in the Los Lagos (Lakes) Region, Llanquihue Province. It is a charming town, only 23 km away from Puerto Montt and surrounded by the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes as well as the impressive Llanquihue lake. In terms of landscape, accommodation and activities, Puerto Varas is well served! Kayak, paddle, canyoning, rock climbing, trekking, ski, fishing, you name it! If you decide to stop in that area, we recommend that you stay in Puerto Varas, as it provides the perfect 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 Wildlife Tours to Chile, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Chile, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
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Puerto Varas Prices
Chile PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Varas $127Arequipa $60
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Varas is $127, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $60. 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 Varas and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Varas $67Arequipa $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Varas $134Arequipa $48
Compare Hotels in Puerto Varas and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Varas 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 Varas Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Varas $21Arequipa $6.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Cruce Andino Office Shuttle Transfer from Puerto Varas: $19
- Frutillar to Puerto Montt Airport PMC- Departure Private Transfer: $47
- Puerto Varas Airport Shuttle Transfer: $38
- Puerto Varas Bus Terminal Private Transfer: $25
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) - Departure Transfer: $63
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$1.43
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Bus Ride$0.46
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Taxi Ride$1.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- 2 Day Trek Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $179
- 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with optional transfer to Puno: $132
- Arequipa Airport (AQP) Private Transfer to Arequipa City: $23
- Arequipa Airport Arrival Transfer: $13
- Arequipa Bus Station Arrival Transfer : $25
- Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
- Colca Canyon 2-Day Tour with Lodge Stay and Transfer to Puno: $283
- Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
- Colca Canyon Sightseeing Tour 2D1N and Transfer to Puno: $147
- Full Day Tour Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $112
- Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Varas or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Puerto Varas 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 Varas $43Arequipa $25
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$0.43
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Lunch$3.01
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Ice Cream$1.15
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Fruit$0.86
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Ice Cream$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
- Cooking Class at La Plantation: $35
- Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
- Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $53
- Private Cooking Class in Arequipa: $57
- Food Tour Gastronomic Guided : $113
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Varas $19Arequipa $19
Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Scenic Catamaran Tour on Llanquihue lake: $8.50
- Tour Frutillar: $31
- Half-Day Tour to Frutillar and Llanquihue: $35
- Half day Frutillar and Llanquihue Town tour: $36
- Half day Osorno Volcano tour: $41
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $51
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $51
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $52
- FullDay Chiloe Island Tour Castro and dalcahue: $59
- Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue : $62
- From Chiloe Island Full-day Tour: $65
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$2.87
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Salsa Class$2.87
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Movie Ticket$3.13
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Hot Springs$2.87
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Countryside Tour Arequipa: $18
- 8-Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas with Pick-up: $20
- Chili River White Water Rafting Adventure with Pickup: $20
- From Salinas Lagoon Half Day Tour: $21
- Tour Colca Full Day Promotional Price: $22
- Full Day Tour Sillar Route and Culebrillas Canyon Arequipa: $23
- Arequipa City Tour and food and drinks experience: $25
- Half day Sillar Stone Tour from Arequipa: $25
- Ticket for Planetarium and Star Observatory: $27
- Pillones Waterfall Tour | Stone Forest | Arequipa: $27
- Full Day Tour to Colca Canyon from Arequipa: $28
- Walking tour history, legends & mysteries : $28
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Varas $6.51Arequipa $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$2.58
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Varas and Arequipa, we can see that Puerto Varas 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 Varas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Varas 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 Varas Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Varas or Arequipa?
Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Varas 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.