Which place is cheaper, Lake Titicaca (Puno) or Puerto Varas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Puerto Varas or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
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.
Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Lake Titicaca, which directly translates to "puma stone" in Quechua, is located high in the Andes Mountains straddling Peru and Bolivia, with about 60% of the lake in Peru and 40% in Bolivia. Among the lake are three main islands, the most popular of which are the Uros Islands, also known as the floating islands, where the Uros people live on totora reeds that grow in the lake.
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 Photography Tours in Peru, and The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Varas $109Lake Titicaca (Puno) $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Varas is $109, while the average daily cost in Lake Titicaca (Puno) is $55. 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Varas $67Lake Titicaca (Puno) $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Varas $134Lake Titicaca (Puno) $52
Compare Hotels in Puerto Varas and Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Varas or Lake Titicaca (Puno)? 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Varas $21Lake Titicaca (Puno) $11
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
- Frutillar to Puerto Airport (PMC) - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Frutillar to Puerto Montt Airport PMC- Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) - Departure Transfer: $33
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
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Taxi$0.81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
- Direct Private Transfer From Puno to Cusco, English Local Speaking Driver: $204
- Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay With a 2 Hour Stop: $294
- Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay, English Speaking Driver: $207
- Private Transfer From Puno to Oruro With a Stop in Lake Titicaca: $283
- Private Transfer From Puno to Oruro with English Speaking Driver: $240
- Private Transfer from Hotel Puno to Puerto de Puno: $21
- Private Transfer from Puerto de Puno to Hotel Puno: $21
- Private Transfer from Puno to Desaguadero: $192
- Puno Airport Private Transfer: $44
- Puno Airport Shared Transfer: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Varas or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Prices for flights to both Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 $25Lake Titicaca (Puno) $15
Typical Food Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
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Tamales$1.49
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Varas $19Lake Titicaca (Puno) $29
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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
- Half Day Tour to Sillustani from Puno : $22
- Sillustani / 4-hour tour from Puno: $25
- Walking City tour Puno: $25
- Morning: Uros Floating Islands Tour from Puno: $25
- Uros Floating Island Tour: $26
- Half Day Tour in Sillustani: $26
- 3h Boat Tour to Uros Island from Puno: $38
- Full Day Guided Tour of the Aymara Route from Puno: $40
- Full Day Tour Uros and Taquile (Speed Boat): $40
- Tour to Uros and Taquile Islands in a Fast Boat: $40
- Lake Titicaca Day Tour from Puno: $44
- Uros and Taquile Islands Full Day Tour with lunch: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Varas $6.51Lake Titicaca (Puno) $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Varas and Lake Titicaca (Puno), we can see that Puerto Varas is more expensive. And not only is Lake Titicaca (Puno) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lake Titicaca (Puno) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno).
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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Varas or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Lake Titicaca (Puno) has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Varas and Lake Titicaca (Puno), 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.