Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Punta del Este?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Punta del Este or Puerto Varas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Punta del Este or Puerto Varas, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Punta del Este or Puerto Varas?
Punta del Este
Punta del Este with its many beaches, elegant seaside homes, yacht harbor, high-rise apartment buildings, pricey hotels, ardent night scene and glitzy restaurants is a chic beach resort town in Uruguay. Many tourists come from Brazil and Argentina, on the other side of the Rio de la Plata, to get some nice sun and lay on the beach for a weekend getaway. Punta del Este is more expensive than other areas in Uruguay and has been called the Monaco of South America. Tourist season varies wildly from totally deserted in the winter to very crowded in the summer.
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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $98Puerto Varas $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $98, 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 del Este and Puerto Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $55Puerto Varas $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $110Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Puerto Varas
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este 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 del Este Hotel Prices and Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $22Puerto Varas $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Montevideo Hotels to Carrasco Airport MVD Departure Transfer: $49
- Montevideo hotels to Carrasco International Airport (MVD) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $54
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $85
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $85
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $72
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
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 del Este or Puerto Varas?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas and Punta del Este 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 del Este $31Puerto Varas $25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta del Este $11Puerto Varas $19
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
- La Vista 360 ticket de admisión: $11
- Skip the Line: Casapueblo Museum Admission Ticket in Punta del Este: $15
- Guided Tour of the Winery Viña Edén: $18
- Punta del Este Classic City Tour with Sunset in Casapueblo: $30
- Guided Tour of Vineyards: $33
- Half-Day City Tour: $47
- Discovering Half-Day City Tour: $47
- Punta del Este City Tour for Cruisers: $50
- Punta del Este, City Tour: $50
- Bike Tour Peninsula - Punta del Este: $65
- City Tour Punta del Este: $95
- Private - Punta del Este City Tour for Cruisers: $120
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 del Este $7.70Puerto Varas $6.51
Sample the Local Flavors in Punta del Este
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Punta del Este:
- Wine Tasting: $42
- Half Day Private Canelones Wine Tour from Montevideo : $157
When comparing the travel costs between Punta del Este and Puerto Varas, we can see that Puerto Varas is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Punta del Este Expensive? and Is Puerto Varas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or Puerto Varas?
Puerto Varas has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este 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 del Este 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 del Este or Puerto Varas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Punta del Este as well as Puerto Varas.
In January, Punta del Este is generally a little warmer than Puerto Varas. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 23°C (73°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 del Este this time of the year. In the summer, Punta del Este often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varas. Punta del Este gets 296 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 204 hours of full sun.
Punta del Este usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Varas. Punta del Este gets 75 mm (3 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 del Este 23°C (73°F)Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?
Both Puerto Varas and Punta del Este are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
Punta del Este is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Punta del Este usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during autumn. Punta del Este gets 171 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 del Este usually receives less rain than Puerto Varas. Punta del Este gets 84 mm (3.3 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 del Este 17°C (63°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Puerto Varas in the Winter?
Both Puerto Varas and Punta del Este during the winter are popular places to visit.
In the winter, Punta del Este is a little warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Punta del Este in July average around 10°C (50°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 7°C (45°F).
In the winter, Punta del Este often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varas. Punta del Este gets 135 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 del Este usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Varas. Punta del Este gets 90 mm (3.5 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 del Este 10°C (50°F)Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Puerto Varas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta del Este and Puerto Varas.
In October, Punta del Este is generally much warmer than Puerto Varas. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 16°C (61°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In Punta del Este, it's very sunny this time of the year. Punta del Este usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during spring. Punta del Este gets 248 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 del Este usually receives less rain than Puerto Varas. Punta del Este gets 85 mm (3.3 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 del Este 16°C (61°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Punta del Este
| Punta del Este | Puerto Varas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 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.