Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Punta Arenas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Punta Arenas or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Punta Arenas or San Juan? 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 San Juan?
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.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta Arenas $63San Juan $185
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta Arenas is $63, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $185. 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 San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta Arenas $32San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta Arenas $64San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Punta Arenas and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Punta Arenas 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: Punta Arenas Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta Arenas $1.80San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas
Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Punta Arenas (city or airport) to Puerto Natales: $267
- Private Transfer from Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas hotels: $64
- Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer Punta Arenas Airport to/from Punta Arenas: $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $271
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $271
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $210
- Private Airport Transfers to Ceiba Ferry Terminal and Airport: $155
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Oneway Transfer from San Juan (SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Ponce: $125
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $105
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
- Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta Arenas or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan 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 $21San Juan $36
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 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta Arenas $6.44San Juan $49
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: $145
- 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 San Juan
For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Tour$40
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Full Day Snorkeling Trip$100
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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.
- Rum Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan: $65
- 1 or 2 Hour Puerto Rico Horseback Ride Experience!: $210
- Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure from San Juan: $110
- Carolina: ATV Adventure at Campo Rico Ranch with Guide: $136
- Cave Day Tour From San Juan: $109
- Cruise Ship Travelers: Hike to a Hidden Puerto Rican Waterfall: $85
- Culebra Beach Day Tour with Snorkeling from San Juan by Ferry: $200
- Culebra Snorkeling Tour by Catamaran from Fajardo: $175
- Discover El Yunque: Half-Day Rainforest Tour: $115
- Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
- El Yunque National RainForest: Tour with Nature walk: $75
- El Yunque Rainforest Guided Day Tour from San Juan: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta Arenas $4.86San Juan $12
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
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 Punta Arenas and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Punta Arenas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Punta Arenas 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 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 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 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 San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta Arenas or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Punta Arenas. When comparing the sizes of Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas or San Juan?
Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Punta Arenas are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Punta Arenas is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Punta Arenas in January average around 11°C (52°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (83°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Punta Arenas. Punta Arenas usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. Punta Arenas gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Punta Arenas usually receives less rain than San Juanin July. Punta Arenas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPunta Arenas 11°C (52°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Punta Arenas or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Punta Arenas during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In April, Punta Arenas is generally much colder than San Juanin October. Daily temperatures in Punta Arenas average around 7°C (44°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Punta Arenas often gets less sunshine than San Juanin October. Punta Arenas gets 119 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
San Juan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Punta Arenas usually gets less rain in April than San Juanin October. Punta Arenas gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPunta Arenas 7°C (44°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Punta Arenas or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta Arenas and San Juan. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Punta Arenas. Punta Arenas is much colder than San Juan in the winter. The daily temperature in Punta Arenas averages around 1°C (35°F) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Punta Arenas usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Punta Arenas gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Punta Arenas usually receives less rain than San Juanin January. Punta Arenas gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPunta Arenas 1°C (35°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Punta Arenas or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Punta Arenas as well as San Juan. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In the spring, Punta Arenas is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Punta Arenas in October average around 7°C (44°F), and San Juan averages at about 26°C (79°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the spring, Punta Arenas often gets less sunshine than San Juanin April. Punta Arenas gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
Punta Arenas usually gets less rain in October than San Juanin April. Punta Arenas gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPunta Arenas 7°C (44°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Punta Arenas
| Punta Arenas | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (52°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (52°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 4°C (39°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 2°C (35°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 1°C (35°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 5°C (40°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (44°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (51°F) | 29 mm (1.1 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.