Which place is cheaper, La Paz or Puerto Varas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Puerto Varas or La Paz?
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 La Paz 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 La Paz?
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.
La Paz
La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It has a population of about 215,000 people and is a significant commercial center for the region. The city has a good economy and a high standard of living when compared to much of Mexico. Much of the economy is focused on eco-tourism and there are many protected marine environments in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Varas $109La Paz $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Varas is $109, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $118. 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 La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Varas $67La Paz $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Varas $134La Paz $104
Compare Hotels in Puerto Varas and La Paz
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Varas or La Paz? 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 La Paz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Varas $21La Paz $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Cruce Andino Office Private Transfer from Puerto Varas: $24
- Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
- Puerto Varas Airport Shuttle Transfer: $38
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
- Puerto Varas Airport Private Transfer: $62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Paz:
- La Paz Airport to Costa Baja Private Roundtrip Transfer: $89
- La Paz Airport: Private Roundtrip Transfer to La Ventan: $259
- La Paz Int. Airport (LAP): Private Transfer to La Paz hotels: $174
- Roundtrip Transfer to La Paz International Airport: $73
- Private Transfer from La Paz to Cabo San Lucas: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Varas or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz 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 $25La Paz $38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Paz.
- 4 Hours of Guided La Paz Street Food Tour: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Varas $19La Paz $13
Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour Frutillar: $31
- Half day Frutillar and Llanquihue Town tour: $34
- Half day Osorno Volcano tour: $35
- Half-Day Tour to Frutillar and Llanquihue: $35
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $48
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $48
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $50
- From Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: Chiloé Island Tour: $60
- FullDay Chiloe Island Tour Castro and dalcahue: $62
- Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue : $62
- Puerto Varas Mountain Biking Experience: $67
Tours and Activities in La Paz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Paz are as follows:
- Transparent Boat Tour with Mushroom Rock: $64
- Pearls of Pearl Farm Experience: $64
- Half Day Sandboarding and Paddleboarding Experience in La Paz: $81
- Unique Mexican Spirits Tasting & Pairing Experience: $85
- Sunset Sandboarding at La Paz Dunes Tour: $89
- City Tour & Beaches from La Paz: $91
- Supercombo 2-Day City Tour: $105
- Half Day Private Tour of the Beaches of La Paz: $113
- From Los Cabos: City Tour La Paz, Balandra and Todos Santos: $115
- holy spirit island tour: $116
- Los Cabos Tour from La Paz: $119
- Snorkel Tour with Whale Shark in La Paz: $119
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Varas $6.51La Paz $12
When comparing the travel costs between Puerto Varas and La Paz, we can see that La Paz 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 Varas is in South America and La Paz 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 Varas Expensive? and Is La Paz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Varas or La Paz?
La Paz has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Varas and La Paz, 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.
When is the best time to visit Puerto Varas or La Paz?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Puerto Varas is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but La Paz has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Puerto Varas or La Paz in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto Varas and La Paz. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to La Paz this time of year.
Puerto Varas is much colder than La Paz in the summer. The daily temperature in Puerto Varas averages around 16°C (60°F) in January, and La Paz fluctuates around 30°C (86°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. In Puerto Varas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Puerto Varas usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during summer. Puerto Varas gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Puerto Varas usually receives more rain than La Pazin July. Puerto Varas gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPuerto Varas 16°C (60°F)La Paz 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or La Paz in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Puerto Varas as well as La Paz. Also, many travelers come to La Paz for the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Puerto Varas is much colder than La Paz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Puerto Varas in April average around 11°C (51°F), and La Paz averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. In the autumn, Puerto Varas often gets less sunshine than La Pazin October. Puerto Varas gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 272 hours of full sun.
Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Puerto Varas usually gets more rain in April than La Pazin October. Puerto Varas gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPuerto Varas 11°C (51°F)La Paz 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or La Paz in the Winter?
Both La Paz and Puerto Varas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to La Paz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In July, Puerto Varas is generally much colder than La Pazin January. Daily temperatures in Puerto Varas average around 7°C (45°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
It's quite sunny in La Paz. Puerto Varas usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during winter. Puerto Varas gets 67 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. In July, Puerto Varas usually receives more rain than La Pazin January. Puerto Varas gets 229 mm (9 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPuerto Varas 7°C (45°F)La Paz 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or La Paz in the Spring?
Both La Paz and Puerto Varas during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to La Paz for the beaches during these months.
Puerto Varas is much colder than La Paz in the spring. The daily temperature in Puerto Varas averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and La Paz fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.
In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Puerto Varas often gets less sunshine than La Pazin April. Puerto Varas gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 292 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. Puerto Varas usually gets more rain in October than La Pazin April. Puerto Varas gets 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPuerto Varas 11°C (51°F)La Paz 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for La Paz and Puerto Varas
| Puerto Varas | La Paz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Sep | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
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.