Which place is cheaper, Pucon or Punta Arenas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Punta Arenas or Pucon?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Punta Arenas or Pucon? 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 Pucon?
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.
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 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 $63Pucon $100
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta Arenas is $63, 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 Punta Arenas and Pucon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta Arenas $32Pucon $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta Arenas $64Pucon $86
Compare Hotels in Punta Arenas and Pucon
Looking for a hotel in Punta Arenas 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: Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta Arenas $1.80Pucon $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas
Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Punta Arenas Airport to/from Punta Arenas: $33
- Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $49
- Punta Arenas to Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Transfer from Punta Arenas (city or airport) to Puerto Natales: $267
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:
- Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
- Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $114
- Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta Arenas or Pucon?
Prices for flights to both Pucon 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 $21Pucon $38
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta Arenas $6.44Pucon $37
Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.
- City Sightseeing and Monuments Guided Tour: $52
- Regular city cruise tour: $65
- Fort Bulnes cruises: $70
- Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
- Punta Arenas Sightseeing Tour: $72
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $138
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145
- Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $153
- Punta Arenas Private City Tour Shore Excursion: $155
- Magallanes Reserva and City Tour. Private Shore Excursion.: $158
- Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours: $180
- Mountain Bike Adventure in Punta Arenas: $192
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
- Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177
- Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
- Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
- Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
- Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
- Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
- Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta Arenas $4.86Pucon $27
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 Pucon, we can see that Pucon 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 Pucon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pucon 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 Pucon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta Arenas or Pucon?
Punta Arenas has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pucon. When comparing the sizes of Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas or Pucon?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Punta Arenas or Pucon in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Punta Arenas as well as Pucon.
In the summer, Punta Arenas is cooler than Pucon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Punta Arenas in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Pucon averages at about 16°C (61°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pucon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Punta Arenas this time of the year. In the summer, Punta Arenas often gets less sunshine than Pucon. Punta Arenas gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 296 hours of full sun.
Punta Arenas usually gets less rain in January than Pucon. Punta Arenas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryPunta Arenas 11°C (52°F)Pucon 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Punta Arenas or Pucon in the Autumn?
Both Pucon and Punta Arenas are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In April, Punta Arenas is generally much colder than Pucon. Daily temperatures in Punta Arenas average around 7°C (44°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Punta Arenas usually receives less sunshine than Pucon during autumn. Punta Arenas gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 132 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. In April, Punta Arenas usually receives less rain than Pucon. Punta Arenas gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilPunta Arenas 7°C (44°F)Pucon 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Punta Arenas or Pucon in the Winter?
Both Pucon and Punta Arenas during the winter are popular places to visit.
The weather in Punta Arenas can be very cold. Punta Arenas is much colder than Pucon in the winter. The daily temperature in Punta Arenas averages around 1°C (35°F) in July, and Pucon fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
In the winter, Punta Arenas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pucon. Punta Arenas gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 66 hours of full sun.
Pucon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Punta Arenas usually gets less rain in July than Pucon. Punta Arenas gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyPunta Arenas 1°C (35°F)Pucon 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Punta Arenas or Pucon in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta Arenas and Pucon.
In the spring, Punta Arenas is much colder than Pucon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Punta Arenas in October average around 7°C (44°F), and Pucon averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Punta Arenas usually receives less sunshine than Pucon during spring. Punta Arenas gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.
Pucon receives a lot of rain in the spring. In October, Punta Arenas usually receives less rain than Pucon. Punta Arenas gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberPunta Arenas 7°C (44°F)Pucon 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Pucon and Punta Arenas
| Punta Arenas | Pucon | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (52°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (52°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| May | 4°C (39°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Jun | 2°C (35°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 297 mm (11.7 in) |
| Jul | 1°C (35°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Aug | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 247 mm (9.7 in) |
| Sep | 5°C (40°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (44°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (51°F) | 29 mm (1.1 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.