Which place is cheaper, Lima 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 Lima?
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 Lima 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 Lima?
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.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Puerto Varas Prices
Chile PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Varas $130Lima $97
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Varas is $130, while the average daily cost in Lima is $97. 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 Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Varas $69Lima $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Varas $138Lima $106
Compare Hotels in Puerto Varas and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Varas or Lima? 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 Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Varas $22Lima $6.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Cruce Andino Office Private Transfer from Puerto Varas: $27
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
- Frutillar to Puerto Airport (PMC) - Departure Private Transfer: $73
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.88
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Taxi Ride$5.88
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Short Taxi Ride$4.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Airport Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport LIM to Lima by Sedan: $51
- Deluxe Car Lima Transfer - Private Service: $29
- From Lima Private transfer to Paracas: $290
- Guided Assistance -Hassle-free service -Airport -Hotel transfers: $30
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $42
- Larco Museum Complete Guided Tour with Transfers (Small Group): $55
- Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer: $160
- Lima Airport : Bus transfer to/from Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco: $11
- Lima Airport Departure Transfer: $22
- Lima Airport One Way Private Transfer LIM to Lima City Center: $12
- Lima Airport Transfers: Lima City to Jorge Chavez Airport LIM in Standard Car: $45
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Varas or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima 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 $44Lima $33
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.71
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Ice cream$3.82
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Coffee$3.23
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Donut$1.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Food tours on the forbidden side of Lima (Min. 3 Guests – Max. 6): $5.00
- Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
- Dinner at Mangos Larcomar Restaurant: $48
- #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $49
- Lima Street Food Tour : Try the best Peruvian street food: $49
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $50
- Private Churros Cooking Class, Miraflores & Hotel Pickup: $50
- Private Cooking Class in Causa & Lomo Saltado: $50
- Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $55
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- Dinner at the Cala Restaurant in Lima: $63
- Lima Market Food Tour: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Varas $20Lima $9.38
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: $12
- Half day Frutillar and Llanquihue Town tour: $36
- Half day Osorno Volcano tour: $41
- Sightseeing Tour in Puerto Varas & Puerto Montt: $45
- Half-Day Tour to Frutillar and Llanquihue: $46
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $55
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $55
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $55
- Guided Tour to Termas del Sol and Cochamo with Transportation Included: $56
- FullDay Chiloe Island Tour Castro and dalcahue: $59
- Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Full Day Tour: $61
- From Full-Day Tour to Termas del Sol and Cochamó Valley: $65
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$18
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Movie Tickets$2.50
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Miraflores Guided Walking Tour and Surquillo Market Experience: $5.00
- Adventure at the Airport of Peru: $10
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Historic Lima & Catacombs Tour with Optional Pickup: $19
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
- Colorful Barranco Tour and Street Art: $20
- Huaca Pucllana Tour: $20
- Private Tour with guide in Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI: $20
- Tour in Lima with Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco: $20
- A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $21
- Barranco Street Art Tour - Unmasked: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Varas $6.69Lima $6.10
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.91
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Beer$4.41
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Cocktail$3.53
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
- Discover Barranco's Nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $22
- Discover Miraflores nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $24
- Lima Nightlife Tour & Society – Cultural Pub Crawl: $50
- Full Day Paracas, Huacachina and Wine Tasting from Lima: $139
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Varas and Lima, we can see that Puerto Varas is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Lima.
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 Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Varas or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 310 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Varas and Lima, 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 Lima?
Puerto Varas has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Puerto Varas or Lima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto Varas and Lima. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Puerto Varas is generally cooler than Limain July. Daily temperatures in Puerto Varas average around 16°C (60°F), and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In Puerto Varas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Puerto Varas usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Puerto Varas gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Puerto Varas usually receives more rain than Limain July. Puerto Varas gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPuerto Varas 16°C (60°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or Lima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Puerto Varas as well as Lima. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Puerto Varas is much colder than Lima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Puerto Varas averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.
In the autumn, Puerto Varas often gets more sunshine than Limain October. Puerto Varas gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.
Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Puerto Varas usually gets more rain in April than Limain October. Puerto Varas gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPuerto Varas 11°C (51°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or Lima in the Winter?
Both Lima and Puerto Varas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Puerto Varas is much colder than Lima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Puerto Varas in July average around 7°C (45°F), and Lima averages at about 23°C (73°F)in January.
Puerto Varas usually receives less sunshine than Lima during winter. Puerto Varas gets 67 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. In July, Puerto Varas usually receives more rain than Limain January. Puerto Varas gets 229 mm (9 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPuerto Varas 7°C (45°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or Lima in the Spring?
Both Lima and Puerto Varas during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
In October, Puerto Varas is generally much colder than Limain April. Daily temperatures in Puerto Varas average around 11°C (51°F), and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In the spring, Puerto Varas often gets less sunshine than Limain April. Puerto Varas gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 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 Limain April. Puerto Varas gets 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPuerto Varas 11°C (51°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Puerto Varas
| Puerto Varas | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.