Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Puerto Varas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Puerto Varas or San Juan?
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 San Juan 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 San Juan?
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.
San Juan
If you've ever set foot on a Caribbean cruise, you've probably spent a bit of time in San Juan, Puerto Rico. However, maybe you should consider spending more than just a port day in this beautiful and historically rich city.
As the capital and largest city in all of Puerto Rico, San Juan is home to approximately 400,000 people. Established in 1521, it is also the second oldest European-founded settlement in the Americas.
As this city fuses a historic paradise with modern day energy, it has absolutely everything to offer. Intellectual wanderers, beach bums, rainforest adventurers and radical surfers will all find plenty to do in San Juan.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Varas $109San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Varas is $109, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $192. 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 San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Varas $67San Juan $124
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Varas $134San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Puerto Varas and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Varas or San Juan? 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 San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Varas $21San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
- Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $210
- Mendoza: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $25
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
- Oneway Transfer from San Juan (SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Ponce: $125
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan(SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Río Grande: $68
- Private Airport Transfers to Ceiba Ferry Terminal and Airport: $155
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $105
- Private Transportation in Puerto Rico From or To San Juan Airport(SJU) Transfers: $33
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Varas or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan 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
-
Food Meals for one dayPuerto Varas $25San Juan $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Old San Juan Sunset Food Tour with Drinks: $156
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walk and Food Tour: $159
- City Lights Sky High Dinner Experience: $165
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- Private Local Food Tour in San Juan: $275
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Varas $19San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Adventure Fullday Tour Osorno Volcano and Saltos de Petrohue National Park: $150
- From Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: Chiloé Island Tour: $60
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Full-Day Osorno Vulcano and Petrohue Falls Small-Group Tour: $80
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $52
- Lake Llanquihue Bike Tour in Puerto Varas: $129
- Petrohue Falls and Osorno Volcano Bike Tour: $124
- Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Varas: $68
- Premium Half Day Shared Tour Sunset at Osorno Volcano: $130
- Premium Small-Group Half day Tour to Frutillar in Puerto Varas: $144
- Private Rock Climbing Experience in Northern Patagonia: $100
- Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue : $62
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Horseback Riding Tour$40
-
Full Day Snorkeling Trip$100
-
1 Hr Windsurfing Lesson$75
Tours and Activities in San Juan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Juan.
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historic Buildings: $5.99
- Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
- Self-Guided Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Group Transportation in airport, cruise ships, hotels, bnb's in San Juan, PR: $20
- Old Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $25
- History, Legends, & Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Certified Guide: $30
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Legacy Tour at Casa BarcadÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
- Walking tour of Oaxaca City: $48
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Varas $6.51San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Pinones Pub crawl in Puerto Rico: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Varas and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Varas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Puerto Varas is in South America and San Juan is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Puerto Varas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Varas 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 San Juan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Juan than you might in Puerto Varas.
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 San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Varas or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Varas and San Juan, 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 San Juan?
Puerto Varas has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Juan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Puerto Varas or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Puerto Varas during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In January, Puerto Varas is generally much colder than San Juanin July. Daily temperatures in Puerto Varas average around 16°C (60°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Puerto Varas. In the summer, Puerto Varas often gets less sunshine than San Juanin July. Puerto Varas gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
Puerto Varas usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as San Juanin July. Puerto Varas gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPuerto Varas 16°C (60°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto Varas and San Juan. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Puerto Varas is much colder than San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Puerto Varas averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Puerto Varas usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Puerto Varas gets 104 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Puerto Varas usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juanin October. Puerto Varas gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPuerto Varas 11°C (51°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Puerto Varas as well as San Juan. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In the winter, Puerto Varas is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Puerto Varas in July average around 7°C (45°F), and San Juan averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the winter, Puerto Varas often gets less sunshine than San Juanin January. Puerto Varas gets 67 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the winter. Puerto Varas usually gets more rain in July than San Juanin January. Puerto Varas gets 229 mm (9 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPuerto Varas 7°C (45°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Puerto Varas are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Puerto Varas is generally much colder than San Juanin April. Daily temperatures in Puerto Varas average around 11°C (51°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Puerto Varas usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during spring. Puerto Varas gets 151 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. In October, Puerto Varas usually receives more rain than San Juanin April. Puerto Varas gets 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPuerto Varas 11°C (51°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Puerto Varas
| Puerto Varas | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 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.