Which place is cheaper, Pucon or Puerto Varas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Puerto Varas or Pucon?
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 Pucon 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 Pucon?
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.
Pucon
A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.
Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Chile, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Varas $109Pucon $100
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Varas is $109, while the average daily cost in Pucon is $100. 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 Pucon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Varas $67Pucon $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Varas $134Pucon $86
Compare Hotels in Puerto Varas and Pucon
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Varas or Pucon? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Varas $21Pucon $19
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
- Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:
- Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $49
- Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
- Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $114
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Varas or Pucon?
Prices for flights to both Pucon 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 $25Pucon $38
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Varas $19Pucon $37
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 Tour to Frutillar and Llanquihue: $35
- Half day Osorno Volcano tour: $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
- Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Varas: $68
Tours and Activities in Pucon
Here are a few actual costs in Pucon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-Hour Rafting Experience in Pucon: $60
- Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
- Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93
- Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
- Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
- Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
- Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
- Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Varas $6.51Pucon $27
When comparing the travel costs between Puerto Varas and Pucon, we can see that Puerto Varas 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. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Pucon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Varas or Pucon?
Pucon has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Varas and Pucon, 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 Pucon?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Puerto Varas or Pucon in the Summer?
Both Pucon and Puerto Varas are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In January, Puerto Varas is generally around the same temperature as Pucon. Daily temperatures in Puerto Varas average around 16°C (60°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It's quite sunny in Pucon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. Puerto Varas usually receives less sunshine than Pucon during summer. Puerto Varas gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Puerto Varas usually receives more rain than Pucon. Puerto Varas gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryPuerto Varas 16°C (60°F)Pucon 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or Pucon in the Autumn?
Both Pucon and Puerto Varas during the autumn are popular places to visit.
Puerto Varas is around the same temperature as Pucon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Puerto Varas averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In the autumn, Puerto Varas often gets less sunshine than Pucon. Puerto Varas gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 132 hours of full sun.
Pucon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. Puerto Varas usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Pucon. Puerto Varas gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilPuerto Varas 11°C (51°F)Pucon 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or Pucon in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto Varas and Pucon.
In the winter, Puerto Varas is around the same temperature as Pucon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Puerto Varas in July average around 7°C (45°F), and Pucon averages at about 7°C (45°F).
Puerto Varas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pucon during winter. Puerto Varas gets 67 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 66 hours of full sun in the winter.
Pucon receives a lot of rain in the winter. Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Puerto Varas usually receives less rain than Pucon. Puerto Varas gets 229 mm (9 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyPuerto Varas 7°C (45°F)Pucon 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or Pucon in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Puerto Varas as well as Pucon.
In October, Puerto Varas is generally around the same temperature as Pucon. Daily temperatures in Puerto Varas average around 11°C (51°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In the spring, Puerto Varas often gets less sunshine than Pucon. Puerto Varas gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 198 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Pucon. Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the spring. Puerto Varas usually gets more rain in October than Pucon. Puerto Varas gets 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberPuerto Varas 11°C (51°F)Pucon 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Pucon and Puerto Varas
| Puerto Varas | Pucon | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 297 mm (11.7 in) |
| Jul | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Aug | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 247 mm (9.7 in) |
| Sep | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.