Which place is cheaper, Easter Island or Punta Arenas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Punta Arenas or Easter Island?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Punta Arenas or Easter Island? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Punta Arenas or Easter Island?
Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas is in the far south of Chile and has a long history of maritime commerce, oil extraction, and sheep farming. It's the most populated city on the Strait of Magellan and has all the facilities you might need as a traveler, including banks, markets, drugstores and equipment shops. With a population of about 130,000, the city is a comfortable place to spend time. It serves as a base for Antarctic expeditions, although many expeditions also start in Ushuaia, Argentina, and Christchurch New Zealand.
Easter Island
Although Easter Island is considered a territory of Chile, it is actually located far out in the Pacific, almost halfway to Tahiti. Easter Island is well known, despite being one of the most isolated islands on Earth, because of the mysterious giant stone busts which date back centuries. There are 887 monumental statues, called moai, that were built by the Rapa Nui people. There remains much mystery around the historic Polynesian culture which created the stones, as well as the specific meaning for them.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile, The Best Wildlife Tours to Chile, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta Arenas $63Easter Island $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta Arenas is $63, while the average daily cost in Easter Island is $80. 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 Punta Arenas and Easter Island in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta Arenas $32Easter Island $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta Arenas $64Easter Island $88
Compare Hotels in Punta Arenas and Easter Island
Looking for a hotel in Punta Arenas or Easter Island? 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: Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta Arenas $1.80Easter Island $2.59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas
Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ): $64
- Transfer from Punta Arenas (city or airport) to Puerto Natales: $267
- Punta Arenas to Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Punta Arenas Airport to Puerto Natales Private Transfer: $80
- Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Round-Trip Transfer: $66
- Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer from Punta Arenas hotels to Punta Arenas Port: $64
- Private Transfer Punta Arenas Airport to/from Punta Arenas: $33
- Private Transfer - Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas Airport(PUQ): $71
- Private Transfer - Punta Arenas Airport(PUQ) to Punta Arenas Port: $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta Arenas or Easter Island?
Prices for flights to both Easter Island and Punta Arenas 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 dayPunta Arenas $21Easter Island $25
Typical Food Prices in Punta Arenas
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Punta Arenas:
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Donut$1.05
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Dinner$25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Easter Island
For Easter Island, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner, Show and Traditional Curanto Te Ra'ai Cultural Experience: $120
- Rapa Nui Dinner Show on Easter Island: $153
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta Arenas $6.44Easter Island $40
Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.
- Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
- Fort Bulnes cruises: $70
- Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours: $180
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $138
- Magallanes Forest and Club Andino Tour from Punta Arenas: $290
- Magallanes Reserva and City Tour. Private Shore Excursion.: $158
- Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $153
- Mountain Bike Adventure in Punta Arenas: $192
- Pali Aike Full-Day Adventure from Punta Arenas: $300
- Private City Cruise Tour: $225
- Private Half Day Punta Arenas City Tour From the Hotel only: $250
Typical Entertainment Prices in Easter Island
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Easter Island's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Bike Rental$8.38
Tours and Activities in Easter Island
For Easter Island, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Day Tour Touring the Highlights of Rapa Nui: $300
- Half Day Private Tour: Caves and Volcanic Refuges: $170
- 2 Day Private Tour: Rapa Nui's Cultural Heritage: $300
- 2 Days Highlights Tour in Easter Island Moai and Nature: $210
- Easter Island Full-Day Tour: Ahu Tongariki, Rano Raraku and Anakena Beach: $171
- Easter Island Moai Archaeology Tour: Ahu Akivi, Ahu Tahai and Puna Pauâ Quarry.: $91
- Easter Island Moai Dining Experience: $90
- Poike Volcano Private Hiking Tour with Guide: $280
- Experience Easter Island Shared Tour for Cruise Ship Passengers : $290
- Full Day Hotu Matua Tour from Vaihu to Anakena: $70
- Full Day Private Tour: Factory of the Moai the stone giants: $219
- Full Day Tour - The Land of Hotu Matu´a: $177
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta Arenas $4.86Easter Island $5.34
Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:
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Alcohol$7.34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta Arenas and Easter Island, we can see that Easter Island is more expensive. And not only is Punta Arenas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Punta Arenas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Punta Arenas 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 Easter Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Easter Island than you might in Punta Arenas.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Punta Arenas Expensive? and Is Easter Island Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta Arenas or Easter Island?
Punta Arenas has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Easter Island. When comparing the sizes of Punta Arenas and Easter Island, 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 Punta Arenas or Easter Island?
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 Punta Arenas or Easter Island in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta Arenas and Easter Island.
In the summer, Punta Arenas is much colder than Easter Island. Typically, the summer temperatures in Punta Arenas in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Easter Island averages at about 24°C (74°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Easter Island this time of the year. In Punta Arenas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Punta Arenas usually receives less sunshine than Easter Island during summer. Punta Arenas gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Easter Island receives 272 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Punta Arenas usually receives less rain than Easter Island. Punta Arenas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryPunta Arenas 11°C (52°F)Easter Island 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Punta Arenas or Easter Island in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Punta Arenas as well as Easter Island.
In April, Punta Arenas is generally much colder than Easter Island. Daily temperatures in Punta Arenas average around 7°C (44°F), and Easter Island fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In the autumn, Punta Arenas often gets less sunshine than Easter Island. Punta Arenas gets 119 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Easter Island receives 185 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Easter Island. Punta Arenas usually gets less rain in April than Easter Island. Punta Arenas gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilPunta Arenas 7°C (44°F)Easter Island 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Punta Arenas or Easter Island in the Winter?
Both Easter Island and Punta Arenas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Punta Arenas can get quite cold in the winter. Punta Arenas is much colder than Easter Island in the winter. The daily temperature in Punta Arenas averages around 1°C (35°F) in July, and Easter Island fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
Punta Arenas usually receives less sunshine than Easter Island during winter. Punta Arenas gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Easter Island receives 148 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Easter Island. In July, Punta Arenas usually receives less rain than Easter Island. Punta Arenas gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyPunta Arenas 1°C (35°F)Easter Island 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Punta Arenas or Easter Island in the Spring?
Both Easter Island and Punta Arenas during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Punta Arenas is much colder than Easter Island. Typically, the spring temperatures in Punta Arenas in October average around 7°C (44°F), and Easter Island averages at about 20°C (67°F).
In Easter Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Punta Arenas often gets less sunshine than Easter Island. Punta Arenas gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Easter Island receives 224 hours of full sun.
Punta Arenas usually gets less rain in October than Easter Island. Punta Arenas gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberPunta Arenas 7°C (44°F)Easter Island 20°C (67°F)
Typical Weather for Easter Island and Punta Arenas
| Punta Arenas | Easter Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (52°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (52°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 4°C (39°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 2°C (35°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Jul | 1°C (35°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Aug | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 5°C (40°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (44°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (51°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 86 mm (3.4 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.