Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Punta Arenas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Punta Arenas or Puerto Varas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Punta Arenas or Puerto Varas? 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 Puerto Varas?
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.
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.
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 $63Puerto Varas $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta Arenas is $63, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $109. 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 Puerto Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta Arenas $32Puerto Varas $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta Arenas $64Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in Punta Arenas and Puerto Varas
Looking for a hotel in Punta Arenas or Puerto Varas? 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 and Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta Arenas $1.80Puerto Varas $21
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(PUQ) to Punta Arenas Port: $71
- Private Transfer - Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas Airport(PUQ): $71
- Private Transfer Punta Arenas Airport to/from Punta Arenas: $33
- Private Transfer from Punta Arenas hotels to Punta Arenas Port: $64
- Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $49
- Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Round-Trip Transfer: $66
- Punta Arenas Airport to Puerto Natales Private Transfer: $80
- Punta Arenas to Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Transfer from Punta Arenas (city or airport) to Puerto Natales: $267
- Transfer from Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ): $64
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
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) - Departure Transfer: $33
- Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
- Frutillar to Puerto Montt Airport PMC- Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Frutillar to Puerto Airport (PMC) - Departure Private Transfer: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta Arenas or Puerto Varas?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas 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 $21Puerto Varas $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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta Arenas $6.44Puerto Varas $19
Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.
- Half day traditional City Tour: $50
- 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
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
- Classic Chiloe Tour: $150
- From Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: Chiloé Island Tour: $60
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Frutillar Bike Tour from Puerto Varas: $79
- Full-Day Osorno Vulcano and Petrohue Falls Small-Group Tour: $80
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $50
- Lake Llanquihue Bike Tour in Puerto Varas: $129
- Llanquihue Lake Tour: $88
- Petrohue Falls and Osorno Volcano Bike Tour: $124
- Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Varas: $68
- Premium Full Day Shared Tour Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Falls: $185
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta Arenas $4.86Puerto Varas $6.51
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 Puerto Varas, we can see that Puerto Varas 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 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 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 Puerto Varas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta Arenas or Puerto Varas?
Punta Arenas has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Punta Arenas and Puerto Varas, 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 Puerto Varas?
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 Puerto Varas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Punta Arenas as well as Puerto Varas.
In January, Punta Arenas is generally cooler than Puerto Varas. Daily temperatures in Punta Arenas average around 11°C (52°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Punta Arenas this time of the year. In the summer, Punta Arenas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Varas. Punta Arenas gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 204 hours of full sun.
Punta Arenas usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Varas. Punta Arenas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryPunta Arenas 11°C (52°F)Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Punta Arenas or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?
Both Puerto Varas and Punta Arenas are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
Punta Arenas is much colder than Puerto Varas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Punta Arenas averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Punta Arenas usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during autumn. Punta Arenas gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. In April, Punta Arenas usually receives less rain than Puerto Varas. Punta Arenas gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilPunta Arenas 7°C (44°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Punta Arenas or Puerto Varas in the Winter?
Both Puerto Varas and Punta Arenas during the winter are popular places to visit.
The weather in Punta Arenas can be very cold. In the winter, Punta Arenas is much colder than Puerto Varas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Punta Arenas in July average around 1°C (35°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 7°C (45°F).
In the winter, Punta Arenas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Varas. Punta Arenas gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 67 hours of full sun.
Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Punta Arenas usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Varas. Punta Arenas gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyPunta Arenas 1°C (35°F)Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Punta Arenas or Puerto Varas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta Arenas and Puerto Varas.
In October, Punta Arenas is generally much colder than Puerto Varas. Daily temperatures in Punta Arenas average around 7°C (44°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Punta Arenas usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during spring. Punta Arenas gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the spring. In October, Punta Arenas usually receives less rain than Puerto Varas. Punta Arenas gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberPunta Arenas 7°C (44°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Punta Arenas
| Punta Arenas | Puerto Varas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (52°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (52°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 4°C (39°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 2°C (35°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 1°C (35°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 5°C (40°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (44°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (51°F) | 29 mm (1.1 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.