Which place is cheaper, Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt?
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 Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt?
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.
Puerto Montt
The Lake District is a region of snow capped volcanoes, pale green lakes and endless miles of virgin and ancient forests. Found 1,016 km away from Santiago de Chile, Puerto Montt is famous for its beautiful lakes and its germanic architecture, old wooden houses and its legendary Iglesia Catedral, found on the town's main square, la Plaza de Armas. The monument, entirely built with alerce (cypress) wood, is the oldest building of the city. The capital of the Lake Region is a good starting point for many memorable excursions 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Chile, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Varas $109Puerto Montt $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Varas is $109, while the average daily cost in Puerto Montt is $89. 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 Puerto Montt in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Varas $67Puerto Montt $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Varas $134Puerto Montt $122
Compare Hotels in Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt? 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 Puerto Montt Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Varas $21Puerto Montt $6.43
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 Puerto Montt
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Montt:
- 4 Days Tour Los Lagos Region with Transfer Chiloe and Peulla: $177
- Private Transfer from Puerto Airport (PMC) to Puerto Montt Port: $30
- Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $27
- Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $30
- Puerto Airport (PMC) to Frutillar - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $41
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Frutillar: Roundtrip Transfer: $46
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Round-Trip Transfer: $65
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas City- Arrival Transfer: $33
- Puerto Montt Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel in Puerto Varas: $24
- Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $41
- Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Montt 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 $25Puerto Montt $21
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Varas $19Puerto Montt $14
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 Puerto Montt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Montt are as follows:
- Frutillar Tour: $31
- Half day Llanquihue and Frutillar City tour : $44
- Private Tour: Puerto Montt Sightseeing: $47
- Frutillar & Llanquihue Tour from Puerto Montt: $56
- Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls Guided Tour: $62
- Osorno Volcano Tour+Petrohue Falls / Cruises / Spanish: $68
- Alerce Andino National Park/Alerce Millenario/Cruises: $77
- Excursion City tour Puerto Varas / Llanquihue and Frutillar: $77
- Private. City Tour Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas: $92
- Austral / Hornopiren Road Tour: $102
- Frutillar & Llanquihue Private Tour from Puerto Montt: $128
- 6 Hours Shared Tour in Calbuco and Millennial Forest : $130
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Varas $6.51Puerto Montt $4.49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt, we can see that Puerto Varas is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Montt much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Puerto Montt would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt.
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 Puerto Montt Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt?
Puerto Montt has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt, 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 Puerto Montt?
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 Puerto Montt in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt.
Puerto Varas is around the same temperature as Puerto Montt in the summer. The daily temperature in Puerto Varas averages around 16°C (60°F) in January, and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Puerto Montt this time of the year. In Puerto Varas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Puerto Varas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Montt during summer. Puerto Varas gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Montt receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Puerto Varas usually receives around the same amount of rain as Puerto Montt. Puerto Varas gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryPuerto Varas 16°C (60°F)Puerto Montt 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Puerto Varas as well as Puerto Montt.
In the autumn, Puerto Varas is around the same temperature as Puerto Montt. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Puerto Varas in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Puerto Montt averages at about 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Puerto Varas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Montt. Puerto Varas gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Montt receives 104 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Montt. Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Puerto Varas usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Puerto Montt. Puerto Varas gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilPuerto Varas 11°C (51°F)Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt in the Winter?
Both Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
In July, Puerto Varas is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Montt. Daily temperatures in Puerto Varas average around 7°C (45°F), and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
Puerto Varas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Montt during winter. Puerto Varas gets 67 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Montt receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Montt. It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. In July, Puerto Varas usually receives around the same amount of rain as Puerto Montt. Puerto Varas gets 229 mm (9 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyPuerto Varas 7°C (45°F)Puerto Montt 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt in the Spring?
Both Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas during the spring are popular places to visit.
Puerto Varas is around the same temperature as Puerto Montt in the spring. The daily temperature in Puerto Varas averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the spring, Puerto Varas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Montt. Puerto Varas gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Montt receives 151 hours of full sun.
Puerto Montt 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 October as Puerto Montt. Puerto Varas gets 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberPuerto Varas 11°C (51°F)Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas
| Puerto Varas | Puerto Montt | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 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.